Who's running in some of the smaller races

With all the attention going to the Senate and gubernatorial primaries, it's easy to forget about some of the smaller races coming up in tomorrow's primary election.

But around the city, dedicated candidates are going door-to-door stumping for votes in their quests to win seats in the state House of Representatives.

State representatives serve districts with about 60,000 residents for two-year terms. In general, the Philly seats turn over rarely, but open seats always become battlegrounds and incumbents frequently face intense challenges.

U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, chairman of the city Democratic Party, said he expected that the Democratic incumbents would survive tomorrow, adding that he hoped some of the Philly candidates in the higher spots on the ballot would juice turnout.

"Historically this is a primary that is low-turnout. I think [governor-candidate] Tony Williams will help and [lieutenant-governor candidate] Jon Saidel will definitely help it," Brady said.

Here's a look at some of the competitive state House races:

Five Democrats are duking it out to take over the 194th Legislative District, where state Rep. Kathy Manderino is set to retire after serving for 18 years. The district includes parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery counties, including East Falls, Roxborough, Wynnefield and Parkside.

Ward leader and union organizer Lou Agre has significant establishment support, including Brady, the city Democratic Committee and a raft of unions. Pam DeLissio, a health-care consultant, has the backing of Manderino and Mayor Nutter.

Josh Cohen, a former staffer for Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., is supported by animal-rights activists and by the Philadelphia Gay News. Carpenter Bill Morris and neighborhood activist Keith Newman are also in the mix.

Running unopposed in the Republican primary is Tim Downey, and Hugh Giordano is running as a Green Party candidate.

State Rep. Frank Oliver, who has served 19 two-year terms, decided to step down at the end of this year in the 195th District, which covers parts of North Philadelphia, Fairmount and Mantua.

Oliver's longtime aide, Michelle Brownlee, is fighting hard for the job and successfully knocked most of her opponents off the ballot through petition challenges. Her supporters include Councilmen Darrell Clarke and Bill Greenlee. But Brownlee still has to beat political consultant Anthony Ingargiola, who has the backing of former boss District Attorney Seth Williams.

Republican candidate James Kernaghan is running unopposed.

Republican state Rep. John Perzel has held this Northeast seat for 30 years, but he is considered vulnerable after being indicted last fall for using public resources for campaigning. Perzel is likely to win the GOP primary against Joseph Gaynor, but a three-way fight is on among Democrats to challenge the former speaker of the house in the general election.

Kevin Boyle left a job with City Councilman Bill Greenlee to run for the seat. The brother of state Rep. Brendan Boyle, he boasts endorsements from the Democratic Party and the Fraternal Order of Police.

Tim Kearney, a former City Council aide and community activist, already has run three times for the seat, and has endorsements from Liberty City, Neighborhood Networks and the Association of Federal, State, County, and Municipal Employees District Council 47.

Also running is public-school teacher and youth basketball coach Dan Collins.

State Rep. Babette Josephs, who has represented parts of Center City and South Philadelphia for 26 years, is a frequent target of primary opponents. The latest is 29-year-old Gregg Kravitz.

Josephs' active campaigning against Kravitz drew national attention after a recent Inquirer story revealed that she accused him of faking bisexuality to attract votes.

Two years ago, state Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown won this seat, which covers parts of West Philadelphia and Fairmount Park, after knocking off incumbent Tommy Blackwell in a petition challenge.

Lowery Brown's Democratic competition is complicated.

Both Blackwell and his sister Audrey Blackwell Watson considered running before Watson threw her name into the ring. Meanwhile, the siblings' stepmother, Jannie Blackwell, has backed Sharif Street, son of former Mayor John Street.