Election apathy? Not among new district candidates

Remember when we used to lament the decline of the democratic process, when voters stayed away from the polls in droves?

Give President Trump credit — he certainly seems to have cured our public apathy when it comes to taking part in the civic process.

Now the polls are being overrun.

And that’s just by the candidates.

Take the newly created 5th Congressional District, for example.

A perfect tsunami of social and political events have conspired to create a unique situation — an open seat in a brand, spanking new district, the work of the state Supreme Court.

To review, the state high court ruled that the state’s congressional districts were an unconstitutional gerrymander, rigged by Republicans in the state Legislature to favor their own candidates, in particular incumbents.

That’s why incumbent 7th District U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan cruised to three successive re-election wins by whopping margins in a district that at one time was considered a toss-up piece of political turf.

One look at the monstrosity that was the 7th District, created by the Legislature in the last redistricting after the 2010 census, tells you why.

Its borders were bent, twisted and contorted into two large masses, carefully pulling in Republican strongholds while excising areas of Democratic strength.

The bizarre shape meant Meehan went from representing Delaware County and some outlying areas to being the representative in D.C. for residents in five different counties, including parts of Berks and Lancaster counties.

The new 5th District drawn up by the high court puts all of Delaware County under one roof, along with a sliver of Montgomery County and a portion of South and Southwest Philly.

That’s one facet of the unprecedented interest in this seat.

Another, obviously, is the fact that this is an open seat.

The incumbent, Meehan, bowed out of the race, indicating he will not seek another term after he became mired in the fallout from news that he used taxpayer dollars to settle a sex harassment suit by a former staffer.

A cavalcade of candidates tossed their hats into the ring seeking the nomination of both parties.

Not surprisingly, in light of the #Metoo movement sweeping the nation — and sweeping any number of males from their perches of power in politics, the entertainment world and even the media — the leading candidates in both parties are women.

Republicans have united behind Pearl Kim, a former Delaware County assistant district attorney and former deputy state attorney general.

It’s interesting to note the way the two parties handled the unprecedented horde seeking the nominations. Party Chairman Andy Reilly paid visits to several candidates indicating the party’s choice of Kim.

Most others pulled out of the race even before the vote to endorse Kim. The lone remaining GOP challenger, Paul Addis, Monday got bounced from the ballot and withdrew his name when it became clear he had serious issues with the signatures on his nominating petitions.

Democrats are another story altogether. No less than 14 names sought the party’s endorsement. At a meeting attended by more than 500 committee members Sunday night, no candidate was able to muster enough support to win the nod.

Former Wallingford Swarthmore School Board member and attorney May Gay Scanlon is the clear frontrunner, with former assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Lunkenheimer in hot pursuit.

At least two candidates pulled out after the Sunday meeting, Shelley Chauncey, who threw her support behind Lunkenheimer, and George Badey.

Also in the running are Rich Lazer, a former aide to Philly Mayor Jim Kenney who has the support and money of John Dougherty and his powerful IBEW union behind him.

State Sen. Anthony Williams, D-8, who represents a portion of eastern Delaware County, joined a slew of leaders last week in throwing support behind Lazer.

Democrats might need a scorecard when they visit their polling places for the May 15 Primary. That’s not a bad thing. It’s good to see a rekindling of participation in the democratic process.