23 candidates vie for seven at-large seats on Council

Chances are that voters heading to the polls in Tuesday's primary will know at least a few of the mayoral candidates, but it's less likely they will be able to list off many of the 23 people in the crowded field for City Council at-large.

"Council has much more impact on the day-to-day lives of citizens than the mayor - it might be the most important race there is - so it's a shame you don't see it getting attention," said Linn Washington, an associate professor at Temple University's School of Media and Communication.

This race could produce historic results. Two candidates are poised to be the youngest ever elected to Council, and two others would be its first openly gay members. Furthermore, dissatisfaction with some of Council's decisions last year could mean a shake-up.

Council is made up of 10 members who represent geographic districts and seven who represent the city as a whole. Five of the at-large seats are held by the majority party, the Democrats, and the two others by Republicans. Former at-large Councilman James F. Kenney retired this year to run for mayor, leaving a vacancy among the five seats held by Democrats.

Here are the Democratic challengers:

Helen Gym, an education activist, is hoping that the issue she has championed for 20 years carries her to Council. The mother of three has the backing of city, state, and national teachers' unions. She is the only candidate who has said she would increase the tax on parking garages to help fund city schools. She also had the second-most money of any candidate, after last week's campaign-finance filing.

Paul Steinke, former general manager of the Reading Terminal Market, has worked at the Center City District and the University City District. His support includes a wide swath of restaurant and business owners in the city. Steinke is openly gay.

Sherrie Cohen, a longtime LGBT rights activist and tenant rights attorney, is also openly gay. Her father, David, was on Council for 26 years. Cohen, who nearly won a spot on the At-Large  Council ballot when she ran in the 2011 primary, has the backing of the city's Democratic Party.

Allan Domb has plastered his name on posters hung outside the many properties he owns and in the form of a tagline at the bottom of all Stephen Starr restaurant receipts (he is an investor in the restaurant group). The condo king also spent a half-million dollars on TV ads and says he would give his Council salary back to schools if elected. Council members are paid $127,000 a year and serve four-year terms.

Derek Green, former legislative aide to Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco, has the No. 1 ballot position in the race, and the support of Tasco and many ward leaders.

Isaiah Thomas ran in 2011, a relative unknown, but this time has picked up endorsements from Council members, Controller Alan Butkovitz, and several unions. He's 30 and could become the youngest person ever elected to Council.

Jenné Ayers, a 26-year-old recent Yale Law graduate, could also be the youngest elected member. Ayers is the daughter of former Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers.

Tom Wyatt, an attorney at Dilworth Paxson and former American Water executive, is a political newcomer and a member of the Passyunk Square Civic Association. He was the second candidate to air TV ads.

Also running, but relatively quietly and with little money in the bank, are former Councilman Frank Rizzo Jr.; Wilson Alexander, a community activist; Marnie Aument-Loughrey, a committeewoman who also ran in 2007; and Carla Cain, a committeewoman in the 22d Ward.

The incumbents are Ed Neilson, elected in a special election last spring; William Greenlee, elected in a special election in 2006; and longtime members Blondell Reynolds Brown and Wilson Goode Jr.

The Republican incumbents are first-term Councilmen David Oh and Dennis O'Brien.

Oh and O'Brien are challenged by Matt Wolfe, an attorney who ran for the seat last year; Terry Tracy, a former Ralph Lauren executive; Al Taubenberger, former head of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; James Williams, a track coach at Cheyney University; and Dan Tinney, a construction worker from the Northeast.

Editor's Note: This story was modified to clarify Sherri Cohen's performance in the 2011 Council primary election.