Nominating petitions to run for office are flooding in today and here's one interesting development: four people have filed to run against Councilwoman Marian Tasco in the 9th Councilmanic District.
Those interested in unseating Tasco in the district covering parts of Northeast and Northewest Phialdelphia are Sabriya Bilal, Thomas Lamont, Rhaim Dawkins and Bobby Curry.
Tasco, who is currently serving her sixth term, has been widely expected to easily win re-election, despite her participation in the controversial Deferred Retirement Option Plan. Tasco is set to receive $478,057 from DROP. If she wins re-election, she would have to employ a loophole that allows elected officials to run for re-elction, "resign" for a day to collect the payout and then get "rehired" in time to start another term. That loophole has been widely criticized by good government reformers.
Taso is also hoping to serve as the next City Council president. That will be voted on by the next Council in 2012.