Get excited and vote

The prospect of electing some very familiar faces to be the next mayor hasn't energized Philadelphia voters. But they should be excited about the chance to use Tuesday's primary to give City Council a needed facelift.

Here's a recap of The Inquirer's endorsements:

Council's refusal to hold a public hearing on a $1.87 billion offer to buy the Philadelphia Gas Works was glaring evidence that it too easily bends to Council President Darrell Clarke's will. New blood could change that.

That's why The Inquirer recommends four challengers for the five Democratic at-large seats: HELEN GYM, a fervent activist for better schools; PAUL STEINKE, a former manager of the Reading Terminal Market who would bring his business acumen to Council; TOM WYATT, a partner in the Dilworth Paxson law firm who has been a neighborhood leader in Passyunk Square; and ISAIAH THOMAS, a charter school dean from East Oak Lane who has been active in addressing abusive police tactics.

The only incumbent at-large Democrat who has earned reelection is four-term Councilman W. WILSON GOODE JR., who has consistently passed legislation to benefit low-income Philadelphians.

The City Charter guarantees Republicans two of the at-large seats. Seven candidates are vying for the five GOP spots on November's ballot. Though they, too, need to show more independence, The Inquirer recommends incumbents DENNIS O'BRIEN and DAVID OH for the nomination, along with University City attorney MATT WOLFE, Fitler Square retail executive TERRY TRACY, and AL TAUBENBERGER, head of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

Only two district Council races are competitive. Seventh District Democrats should flock to the polls to cast votes for incumbent MARÍA QUIÑONES SÁNCHEZ, who has deftly steered Council toward solid policy on land use, tax restructuring, and other major issues. In the Second District, Point Breeze developer ORI FEIBUSH promises to reject feudal practices that give district Council members lordship over development decisions.

The mayoral race has gotten most of the attention in this election. Among the six Democratic candidates, The Inquirer recommends ANTHONY HARDY WILLIAMS, believing he offers the best chance to reduce the clout of union chieftains who already wield too much influence in City Hall. Williams has union supporters, too, but not the kind who brag about having Council members in their thrall. (For the record, in 2013, Inquirer publisher H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest contributed $2,900 to a political action committee formed to advance Williams' mayoral ambitions.)

This could be a game-changing election for Philadelphians, with the opportunity to revamp City Council as they choose a new mayor. That's plenty of reason for everyone eligible to vote.