No challenges filed in the Eighth District Council race

The Tuesday 5 p.m. deadline passed without a single challenge being filed in the Eighth District race.

This means we are still looking at ten Democratic candidates running for their party’s nomination on May 17. There are no Republican candidates running for this council seat.

The ballot should be finalized by March 23, according to Fred Voigt, Philadelphia’s deputy city commissioner.

He emphasized that people can still withdraw from the race. “Candidates can drop out up till and including election day,” he said.

 

Challenges in other races

Challenges were filed against candidates in other races. Both Council members Republican Frank Rizzo Jr. and Democrat Marion Tasco were challenged over their participation in the city’s DROP retirement program.

Republican Council candidate Malcolm Lazin is being challenged over the validity of his petitions and financial statements.

And Milton Street, who recently served two-years in prison for tax evasion, is being challenged over residency requirements and on his petitions.

Ballot position

Many of the Eighth District candidates or their campaign representatives will be in City Hall today to pull a number out of a coffee can. That number will play a role in determining the order the candidate names appear on the ballot May 17.

Voigt cautions not to think the ranking is permanent because the order will change if a candidate drops out. “This is a fluid situation,” he said.