Ten Democratic candidates meet petition deadline for the Eighth District race

The Democratic field of hopefuls vying to represent City Council’s Eighth District remains crowded.

As today’s deadline for filing nominating petitions passed, 10 candidates were listed as unofficial competitors to fill an open seat incumbent Democrat Donna Reed Miller will vacate.

Those who met today’s deadline are:

1) Cindy Bass

2) Fay Dawson

3) Jordan Dillard

4) William Durham

5) Donna Gentile O’Donnell

6) Andrew Lofton

7) Greg Paulmier

8) Robin Tasco

9) Howard Treatman

10) Verna Tyner.

Only one person expected to file, Anita Hamilton of Germantown, did not meet the 5 p.m. deadline. The deadline also passed without a Republican entering the race.

All those running will remain unofficial candidates until the City Commissioners confirm that each candidate has turned in 750 or more valid signatures from registered Democratic district voters.

Between now and March 15, the petitions may be challenged by opposing campaigns, a maneuver that triggers a closer scrutiny of signatures.

Some candidates could be disqualified during this period. The complete list of names for the primary will not be final until March 23.

In the meantime, candidates – new and old – are excited to get started on the next phase of their campaigns.

Newcomer Jordan Dillard, a Democratic committeeman from Mt. Airy, was at City Hall this afternoon to add to his list of signatures that he estimates at 1200.

“It was no problem,” said Dillard of the nominating petition process. He said the next step for his campaign is to introduce himself to more voters and explain his plan for the district.

Greg Paulmier, a three-time Eighth District candidate, was also filing a few more signatures. The former ward leader said he collected more than 2200 signatures.

“I love the signature part of this because it connects me with the voters. It gives me an opportunity to talk with voters and listen to what they have to say,” said Paulmier.

Interest in representing the Eighth District is high this year after incumbent Miller, citing health issues, announced in January her retirement after 16 years on the job.

The district covers much of Northwest Philadelphia including; Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy, and Germantown.