`Reform team’ to run Philadelphia City Commissioners office; Council-at-large race goes to wire

Change will come to the Philadelphia City Commissioners, which run elections in the city.

Al Schmidt, the insurgent Republican who’s promised reform if elected has an insurmountable lead over veteran Republican incumbent Joe Duda, who argued that the office has been well-run. Schmidt will form an alliance with Stephanie Singer, the Democrat who ousted City Commissioner Marge Tartaglione in the spring primary.

With 94 percent of the vote in, Schmit led Duda 42,427 to 33,067.

And ….

 

The Republican City Councili-at-large race is very, very close. State Rep. Dennis O’Brien appears headed toward a first-place finish. But the second Republican spot on Council is a dead heat between Al Taubenberger, who ran for mayor four years ago, and David Oh, who was attacked in the last week of the campaign by a political committee associated with electricians’ union chief John Dougherty.

UPDATE: With 94 percent counted:

Oh               – 37,768

Taubenberger – 37,746

 

Finally, Republican Councilman Brian O’Neill appears headed toward victory over his opponent, Democrat Bill Rubin.