Congressional hopefuls hit the road with petitions
Congressional candidates in Pennsylvania’s new 5th District encompassing Delaware County, southern Philadelphia and a small portion of Montgomery County can begin circulating nominating petitions today.
As of Monday, there will be at least 20 Democrats and Republicans duking it out for the May 15 primary election, which comes amidst the backdrop of renewed Republican challenges to a “remedial congressional redistricting plan” implemented by the state Supreme Court last week.
The Cook Political Report, a non-partisan newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns, shifted six Pennsylvania districts more in favor of Democrats following the release of the new map. The area now making up the 5th District went from “Republican +1” under Cook’s political voting index score to “Democrat +13.”
Republicans seeking the seat include Joe Billie, a veteran and volunteer firefighter from Aston; attorney Jeremy H. Gonzalez Ibrahim of Chester County; former state Attorney General Senior Deputy Counsel Pearl Kim of Radnor; tax attorney Greg McCauley of Chadds Ford; former Assistant U.S. Attorney Clare Putnam Pozos of Radnor; Haverford developer Wally Smerconish; and Radnor Commissioner Richard Booker.
Democrats lining up include Philadelphia former Deputy Mayor of Labor Rich Lazer; attorney Mary Gay Scanlon of Swarthmore; former Morgan Stanley wealth manager Lindy Li of Malvern; scientist and entrepreneur Dr. Julie Eble of Garnet Valley; attorney Dan Muroff of Media; former federal prosecutor and health care advocate Ashley Lunkenheimer of Upper Providence; scientist Dr. Molly Sheeha, of South Philadelphia; and former CIA officer Shelly Chauncey of Glen Mills.
Chester Democratic Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland. a former state legislator, is also expected to announce his candidacy today. Other Democrats vying for the seat are entrepreneur and journalist David Wertine of Haverford; attorney and consultant Dan Boyle; political science professor Mary Ellen Balchunis of Ardmore; and George Badey, chairman of Radnor Township’s Democratic Committee.
State Rep. Greg Vitali, D-166, of Haverford, had previously put his hat in the ring as well, but bowed out after the redistricting, according to Delaware County Democratic Party Chairman David Landau.
Realtor Elizabeth Moro of Chadds Ford, had been running as a Democrat in the 7th District, but now resides in the 6th District under the new map. She said last week that she had previously committed to running where she lives and will continue her campaign in that district.
State Sen. Daylin Leach, D-17 of Lower Merion, had also mulled a run in the 4th District after suspending his campaign late last year, but decided against it over the weekend.
Some candidates who were formerly running in the 1st Congressional District, which previously covered portions of Philadelphia and Delaware County, have decided to stake their claim in other areas.
The city is now split mostly into the 2nd and 3rd districts, while the 1st District has been repositioned almost entirely into Bucks County.
Michele Lawrence, a former area president and a senior vice president for the Philadelphia Retail market of Wells Fargo, will now be running in District 2 where she lives, according to spokesman Dan Gross.
Disgraced former traffic court judge Willie Singletary announced in a Facebook post last week that he would also be running where he lives, in the 3rd District, as will Pastor Kevin Johnson.
Political newcomer Casey Mcleod issued a statement Monday that running in the newly redrawn district “makes no sense” and said he would be making a decision in the next few days.
Nina Ahmad, the former deputy mayor of Philadelphia for public engagement, also announced Monday that she had backed out of the Congressional race in favor of a bid for lieutenant governor.
Candidates have until March 20 to circulate and file nominating petitions.