Worthy opponents

Seven Republicans are vying for at-large City Council seats in next month's primary, showing welcome signs of life in a party that faces an 8-to-1 registration disadvantage in Philadelphia. Republican voters' task is to select five to go on to the general election in November, when they will run against the Democratic at-large nominees. Ultimately, the City Charter guarantees two at-large seats to the minority party.

The most promising candidate in the field is University City attorney Matt Wolfe, who ran unsuccessfully for Council in a special election last year. Wolfe has the skills to communicate a Republican perspective and offer balance that is sorely lacking on Council despite the presence of GOP incumbents. Part of an energetic group trying to raise the party's profile in the city, he has been a deputy state attorney general and chief counsel for the state labor department, government experience that promises to make him a quick study in the city's legislature.

The other thoughtful and knowledgeable Republican reformer in the field is Terry Tracy. The Fitler Square retail executive, who ran for city controller in 2013, advocates a comprehensive effort to rationalize the city's tax structure. That he doesn't jerk his knee and rule out a property-tax increase as part of a broader reform shows he can present the issues candidly instead of just saying what he thinks the voters want to hear.

Although he has run unsuccessfully for Congress, state representative, mayor, and Council, Al Taubenberger also deserves to be among the five Republican nominees. The longtime head of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Taubenberger has a solid grasp of the issues and the duties of Council, having served as an aide to two members.

The two current beneficiaries of the City Charter's quota for the minority party are Councilmen Dennis O'Brien, a former state representative who served briefly as House speaker, and David Oh, a former assistant district attorney, both of whom are seeking reelection to second terms. O'Brien, of the Northeast, has championed services for disabled children and legislation to improve the city's handling of dangerous vacant buildings. Oh, of Southwest Philadelphia, has tried to persuade foreign companies to locate in Philadelphia and proposed bills to expedite the city's property tax collections and return control of the public schools to the city.

The incumbents have worked well with Democrats - perhaps too well given that they are supposed to represent the opposition. Some of their fellow Republicans fault Oh and O'Brien for being indistinguishable from the Democratic majority. But based on their modest successes, O'Brien and Oh deserve another chance to persuade voters that they should be returned to Council in November.

Also running are Cheyney University track coach James Williams, of Cedarbrook, and financial adviser turned construction worker Dan Tinney, of the Northeast, both of whom show promise but need seasoning to take on City Hall.

The Inquirer endorses MATT WOLFE, TERRY TRACY, AL TAUBENBERGER, DENNIS O'BRIEN, and DAVID OH for the Republican nomination.