Why Philadelphia candidates are rushing to collect signatures
It’s crunch time for mayoral and Council candidates as they face their first real tests ahead of the primary: Getting their names on the ballot.
- Voter signatures on nominating petitions — 1,000 for mayor or at-large, 750 for a district seat — must be submitted by March 7. And they have to be solid enough to withstand challenges by opponents’ lawyers.
Four years ago, Meir Rinde reports, both would-be challengers to Darrell Clarke had to end their bids for office after they were dinged for errors.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- When the Pa. House reconvenes today, Speaker Rozzi’s main goal is to extend the statue of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. But Senate Republicans have bundled the legislation with constitutional amendments requiring voter ID and limiting executive power, which Democrats don’t want. [Spotlight PA/Capital-Star]
- A GoFundMe page to help the family of slain Temple Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald has raised $330,000 and counting. Funeral services will be held later this week at the Cathedral Basilica. [Billy Penn]
- An FBI special agent shot a dog last night on Walnut Street in Rittenhouse. The pet, which was described as “aggressive” but appears to have been on a leash, has reportedly died. [CBS3/@FBIPhiladelphia/@ThatNewsJawn]
- A British trust’s first U.S. “Blue Plaque” was bestowed on the Unitarian Church at 22nd and Chestnut where Martin Luther King Jr. was introduced to Gandhi’s nonviolence principles. [Tribune$]
- It’s been 7 months since Raheem Manning was appointed Philadelphia’s first “night mayor.” What’s he been doing? Bouncing around town, advocating for small businesses, and helping artists get grants, per a looong profile. [Instagram/BP 2022/Philly Mag$]
- The Roots Picnic, which returned to the Mann last year, will start with a Dave Chappelle Friday night comedy show, then feature headliners Lauryn Hill, Diddy, and Lil Uzi Vert, with a State Property reunion also on tap. Tickets go on sale Wednesday morning. [BP 2022/Roots Picnic]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney joins Temple University officials at PPD headquarters for an update on the shooting that killed Ofc. Christopher Fitzgerald, and the subsequent investigation and arrest of the 18-year-old from Bucks County (10 a.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
🍺 Billy Penn Quizzo: Our monthly trivia night is back! We’re at Attic Brewing in Germantown this month, with three rounds of questions, happy hour specials, and great prizes for the winners. Free RSVP here. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28)
🏊🏽 Willing to get cold and wet to help Philadelphia public pools open? The first Philly Phreeze polar plunge happens at Kelly Pool in Fishtown, with all proceeds supporting lifeguard recruitment. (12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25)
🍻 The German Society’s annual Philly Bierfest features dozens of lagers, kolsches, bocks, and weizens at its historic headquarters on Spring Garden Street. All-you-can-drink tickets are $59, or $25 gets you in as a designated driver. (2 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25)
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