Councilman Jones Jr. runs unopposed in Fourth District

Barring an unforeseen change of heart, Curtis Jones Jr. will take his leadership of City Council’s Fourth District into a second term.

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the deadline for would-be candidates to file their nominating petitions, no challengers had emerged, making the May 17 Democratic primary and November’s General Election mostly a formality.

“For all intents and purposes the Councilman’s second term begins,” said Jones’ Chief of Staff Al Spivey Jr. outside of the Board of Elections office in City Hall.

For now though, the freshman Councilman is still considered an unofficial candidate. Candidates don’t become official until the City Commissioners confirm that each candidate for city government has turned in the required number of valid signatures. Jones needs 750 or more of them from registered Democratic district voters.

Between now and Mar. 15, Jones’ petitions could be challenged, though this maneuver to further scrutinize signatures is most often made by opposing campaigns. The official list of candidates will be released on Mar. 23.

But it will be difficult for anyone to disqualify Jones from the race. Spivey estimated Tuesday that Jones had close to 7,000 signatures of support.

“It really speaks to the Councilman’s organization and they think that he’s done good work. People want to see him go back,” said Spivey of the nominating results.

“We look forward to continuing the good work,” he added.

The Fourth Councilmatic District, previously lead by Mayor Michael Nutter, covers parts of West and Northwest Philadelphia, including Manayunk, Roxborough and East Falls.