Ethics board keeping an eye as candidates hit the home stretch

With the primary election just over a week away, candidates are trying to dig up a few more votes.  This year council races in Philadelphia are overshadowing the Mayor’s race since five incumbents are retiring, clearing the way for lots of new blood. 

With a sea of candidates and the election nearing, the Philadelphia Board of Ethics has been busy.  Executive Director Shane Creamer says the work will continue.

“Last year the city amended the campaign finance law and those amendments create more work for the Board,” said Creamer.  “For example, the law permits candidates to set-up litigation funds, there are numerous post-candidacy regulations that have to be monitored and enforced.  For example the contribution limits now apply after the election when a candidate is no longer is running for office.”

Creamer said the board is better prepared to handle day-to-day administrative matters and enforcement, than it was during the last Mayoral primary. “The Board literally was launched at the beginning of the cycle, it only had one staff member to do all of its work.  This time around we have a staff of eight, we’re still under-staffed for the level of work that we’re required to do but we have an experienced, dedicated staff that has 3 or 4 years experience now under the law,” he said.

Voters in Philadelphia will cast ballots for Mayor, all 17 City Council seats, City Commissioners, Sheriff, and Register of Wills.  They will also vote for local and statewide judicial offices.