Jim Hasher, a Republican candidate for a City Council at-large seat, came up short in the Nov. 8 election, but he’ll be back on the ballot in May.
Hasher, of Torresdale, took 17 percent of the vote against Democrat Sharon Vaughn, who received 81 percent. Libertarian Marc Jurchak was also in the race for the vacant seat caused by the resignation of Derek Green, who is running for mayor. Vaughn had been Green’s chief of staff. Hasher won four wards — the 26th in South Philadelphia and the 58th, 63rd and 66th in the Northeast.
A week before the special election, Hasher held a fundraiser at the Ashburner Inn. He’ll also run in the May 16, 2023 primary, hoping to win a full four-year term.
Among those at the fundraiser was Drew Murray, the Republican candidate in Council’s other special election. Murray took 17 percent against Democrat Jim Harrity, who won with 80 percent. Libertarian Poetica Bey also ran for the vacant seat caused by the resignation of Allan Domb, who announced Tuesday he is running for mayor.
Others at the fundraiser included city elections commissioner Seth Bluestein, District Council 21 leader Joe Ashdale and congressional candidate Aaron Bashir, who took 25 percent against U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-2nd dist.). Republicans, though, appear to have taken control of the U.S. House.
Hasher said he was humbled by the turnout of ward leaders, union officials and some Democrats at the fundraiser. He believes Council needs a small businessman.
Hasher, a married father of five boys, is a longtime real estate broker, with an office in Mayfair. He owns Jimmy’s Timeout Sports Pub and is president and athletic director at Torresdale Boys Club. He ran for Congress in 1994.
His campaign is focused on support for small businesses and law enforcement and a crackdown on opioid dealers and violent criminals.
In other Council special elections, Democrat Quetcy Lozada won the 7th district seat, with 85 percent of the vote against Republican James Whitehead (13 percent) and Libertarian Randall J. Justus (2 percent). Lozada, a vice president at Esperanza, replaces Maria Quinones Sanchez, who resigned to run for mayor.
In the 9th district, Democrat Anthony Phillips won with 89 percent of the vote. Republican Roslyn Ross took 8 percent, while Libertarian Yusuf Jackson earned 3 percent. Phillips replaces Cherelle Parker, who resigned to run for mayor.
In legislative races, Rep. Kevin Boyle defeated Republican Al Taubenberger with 57 percent of the vote. Rep. Joe Hohenstein beat Republican Mark LaVelle, 65 percent to 34 percent.
Reps. Martina White, Ed Neilson, Jason Dawkins and Jared Solomon were unopposed.
Democrats Pat Gallagher (173rd district) and Anthony Bellmon (203rd district) were unopposed to win open seats.
Democrats have a chance to win the state House majority, thanks largely to a new redistricting map drawn by a commission chairman chosen by the Democratic-controlled Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
In the U.S. Senate race, Democrat John Fetterman took 51 percent of the vote to Republican Mehmet Oz’s 47 percent, with Libertarian Erik Gerhardt, the Green Party’s Richard L. Weiss and the Keystone Party’s Daniel Wassmer trailing. Fetterman won by some 210,000 votes, including a 322,000 margin in Philadelphia.
Democrat Josh Shapiro easily won the race for governor. Along with lieutenant governor running mate Austin Davis, they defeated Republicans Doug Mastriano and Carrie Lewis DelRosso with 56 percent of the vote. Libertarian, Green Party and Keystone Party candidates trailed.
City residents approved two amendments to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter.
One transfers certain functions related to the operations of airports from other city agencies to a new Department of Aviation. It was approved with 68 percent of the vote.
The other provides for a preference in civil service examinations for graduates of Career Technical Education programs in the School District of Philadelphia. It was approved by 71 percent of voters. ••
