9th Ward Democratic Committee

https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/lack-transparency-tiny-fishtown-election-reveals-bigger-problems-phillys-democratic-party-opinion-20210716.html

Lack of transparency in a tiny Fishtown election reveals bigger problems in Philly’s Democratic Party | Opinion Ward elections may seem like some local neighborhood politics, but they have real consequences.

“Democratic state Rep. and former 9th Ward Leader Chris Rabb said he was aware of other cases where the party had asked candidates to drop out of races. ‘I have spoken to a few candidates who’ve been approached directly and indirectly from folks associated with the Democratic City Committee who have been pressured to drop out,’ Rabb told The Intercept.

“Turner had been moving into the May 18 election with an advantage: She randomly drew the No. 1 slot on the ballot this cycle. Candidates in local judicial races typically have low name recognition with voters, so people tend to vote for the first names that appear on the ballot. Attorneys Lopez Thompson and Terri Booker got the second and third slots.

“The eight candidates endorsed by the Democratic City Committee, including three sitting judges, got spots further down the ticket. (Rabb, the state representative, plans to introduce a bill that would randomize candidates’ positions on the ballot.)”

Memo: Party Boss Asked Progressive Philadelphia Judicial Candidate to Drop Out In a memo obtained by The Intercept, Caroline Turner said local party chair Bob Brady offered support for a future judgeship appointment if she ends her campaign.