Procrastinator’s Guide to the 2023 primary election in Philly
The upcoming primary will heavily shape the November election, which will usher in one of the widest Philadelphia leadership shifts of the modern era.
- A lot of qualified people are vying for a chance to do this. That’s the good news. Now for the hard part: Among the many options, how do you choose the people you think will do it best?
The Billy Penn Procrastinator’s Guide is here to help. We have a brief intro to every candidate on the Philly ballot, from mayor to councilmember to sheriff to judge. Skim through now, then bookmark it for reference as you fill out your mail vote or head to the polls on May 16.
The Phillies just played their worst series since 1938
Bryce Harper returned to the lineup this week, becoming the fastest player in history to return to game action following Tommy John surgery.
- Harper’s appearance didn’t help the Phillies. In Los Angeles for three games against the Dodgers, the Fightins were outscored by 25 runs. That hadn’t happened in a series that short since 1938.
It was a historically rough stretch — but hope is not lost, says Hittin’ Season’s John Stolnis.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• A former Philadelphia Proud Boys leader is among the group convicted for their role in the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol. He faces up to 20 years in prison. [6ABC]
• Mayoral candidate Jeff Brown said he might sue the city Board of Ethics, and a Brown-affiliated lawyer accused the board of going out of its way to squelch the campaign’s chances. [KYW/Billy Penn]
• Following years of planning, Philadelphia says it’s finally launching a violence intervention program based on READI in Chicago. It provides housing assistance, therapy, and employment to individuals reentering society following incarceration. [WHYY/NextCity]
• Despite a recent drop in mortgage rates, Philadelphia’s housing market is lagging, with some realtors saying it’s the slowest they’ve experienced in years. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• This weekend, St Joe’s reopens the former Barnes Foundation in Lower Merion as a new university art museum. After the Barnes’s highly controversial 2012 move to Philly, the building was serving as little more than a pricey storage facility. [WHYY/BP 2015]
• After seven years in the role, Parks & Rec Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell is stepping down June 2 to lead tourism org the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation. Temple grad Orlando Rendon will become acting commissioner. [Fox29/Phila Gov]
• Don’t miss all the street festivals and Cinco de Mayo happenings today and this weekend! [Billy Penn x 2]
MAYOR WATCH
As part of the Red Cross’s annual Sound the Alarm campaign, Mayor Kenney joins Fire Department officials at James Allen Shuler Playground in Allegheny West to talk fire safety tips and thank volunteers installing free smoke detectors (10 a.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
⚾ Tomorrow: Billy Penn Phillies tailgate! Join us and the crew from the Hittin’ Season podcast at Citizens Bank Park for an afternoon tailgate with free hoagies from Nipotina, pizza from Slice, and beer from Evil Genius, plus a chance to be on the pod. We’ll be in M-N, aka the Jetro lot. RSVP to let us know you’ll be there. (3 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6)
📽️ Eraserhood gallery Vox Populi hosts a free opening reception for “Echoes,” featuring the photo and video work of Algerian-American artist Kenza Bousseloub. (6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 5)
💃🏽 The first Sunday of the month brings free admission to the Barnes, which hosts a celebration of AAPI Heritage Month with performances from Ani/Malayaworks Dance. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 7)
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