Who’s backing whom in the Philly DA’s race

As we approach Pennsylvania’s May 16 primary election, the seven Democratic candidates for Philadelphia district attorney all appear to have a shot at a block of voters.

Editor’s note: This article was last updated to include recent endorsements on Friday, May 12, 2017, at 2:00 p.m.

As we approach Pennsylvania’s May 16 primary election, the seven Democratic candidates for Philadelphia district attorney all appear to have a shot at a block of voters.

Some have money. Two have independent groups running TV ads for them. Others have unions, politicians, newspapers, advocacy groups or ward leaders backing them.

In part because you can learn something about people from who their friends are, I’ve compiled the following list of endorsements in the race. It’s representative, not comprehensive. I’ve tried to include the most significant endorsements, and I will try to update as the campaign unfolds.

Where candidates claim the support of specific Democratic ward organizations in the city, I’ve included them in the list, because ward leaders matter in a low-turnout election.

In most cases, I haven’t independently verified the information with the wards. As I write, two candidates claim Ward 66A, and I’m hoping to reach ward leader Shawn Dillion to clear that up.

UPDATE:  A far more comprehensive look at which candidates have ward support is available in a piece by Max Marin of the Philadelphia Weekly. It shows several candidates have siginficant backing from ward leaders. None have anything close to a majority.

Republican candidate Beth Grossman has no competition in the GOP primary.

Joe Khan– Former Gov. Ed Rendell- National Organization for Women, Philadelphia chapter- Khizr Khan, Gold Star father and DNC speaker- Philadelphia Tribune- Former U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, state Rep. Mike O’Brien- Wards 9, 30, 31, 33, 41, 45

Teresa Carr Deni– Operating Engineers Local 542- Wards 13, 26, 29, 49, 51, 66A

Rich Negrin– Philadelphia Inquirer- Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 5- Guardian Civic League- Pennsylvania Democratic Latino Caucus- Sheet Metal Workers, Local 19, Painters Union Local 21.- Former gubernatorial candidate Katie McGinty, City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson

Michael Untermeyer– John Sabatina, leader of 56th Ward in Norteast Philadelphia

Larry Krasner– MOVE ON.org- UNITE HERE Locals 274 and 634- AFSCME District 1199C National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees and AFSCME DC33- Pa. Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals- Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club- Philly for Change- Northwest Coalition leaders Marian Tasco, Cherelle Parker and others, State Sen. Vincent Hughes- Philadelphia Safety & Justice — political committee backed by George Soros- Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity- Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks- Wards 8, 27, 10, 50, 42

Tariq El-Shabazz– Laborers’ District Council- Transport Workers Union- City Council members Curtis Jones, Jannie Blackwell, Cindy Bass

Jack O’Neill– Eight Building Trades unions, including plumbers, sprinkler fitters, and stagehands- Building a Better Pa Fund – labor-packed super PAC- U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, state Rep. Kevin Boyle- City Councilman Bobby Henon, City Controller Alan Butkovitz- Wards 54, 63, 64, 65, 66A, 66B