The rise of the Working Families Party in Philly | Morning Newsletter
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Philly is a blue city, and Democrats have dominated City Hall for decades. Still, Republicans historically could always bank on having some influence due to a longstanding city rule.
But in recent years, the Working Families Party has shaken up the status quo and is now competing for two City Council seats reserved for non-Democrats. As the progressive party gains momentum and power, that non-Democrat influence on Council no longer seems guaranteed to the GOP. This new reality and the party’s close ties to Democrats have critics questioning its independence.
Our lead story examines the Working Families Party’s history in the city and how it operates.
— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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The progressive Working Families Party is not shy about its intentions in November. Its candidates are vying to win a pair of Philadelphia City Council at-large seats and explicitly intend to oust Republicans from City Hall.
Reminder: Incumbent Working Families Party member Kendra Brooks became the first third-party candidate to win a seat on Council in 70 years in 2019. She’s been more progressive on policy than most of her Democratic colleagues, backing proposals like rent control and a “wealth tax.” Brooks and her running mate, Nicolas O’Rourke, want to take both seats as part of progressives’ project to move City Hall leftward.
Ahead of the general election, Republicans are pushing the issue of ideological diversity on Council. The coveted seats are reserved for a minority party, and Republicans see the Working Families Party as a faction of Democrats.
Meanwhile, the Working Families Party say they’re distinct and consider themselves a check on establishment Democrats. They have big endorsements like Gov. Josh Shapiro for Brooks and U.S. Sen John Fetterman for Brooks and O’Rourke, but the party itself is a different story. The head of the Democratic Party in Philadelphia warned his members not to support Working Families candidates or risk expulsion.
Read more to dive into the political argument.
JoAnne A. Epps, acting president of Temple University, died Tuesday after falling ill onstage during a university event. She was 72.
Notable quote: “I am devastated by this loss,” Mitchell L. Morgan, the chair of the board of trustees said. “She was our light at the end of the tunnel. Temple University will survive it. I’m not sure I will emotionally survive it.”
Epps became the university’s leader earlier this year after the resignation of Jason Wingard.
She was scheduled to speak at an event in memory of historian and author Charles L. Blockson, who was also the curator emiritus of the Blockson-Afro-American Collection. Shortly after the program began, a uniformed officer carried her out after the announcer asked if there was a doctor in attendance.
Her cause of death was not immediately known.
Morgan said he would hold an emergency meeting Wednesday to figure out next steps for the 30,600-student university. A vigil is planned at the Bell Tower at noon Wednesday.
Continue reading to learn more about Epp’s nearly four decades at Temple.
What you should know today
A Philadelphia judge revoked bail for Mark Dial, the Philadelphia police officer who’s charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Eddie Irizarry. He was sent to jail until his next hearing.
Mayoral candidates Cherelle Parker and David Oh will debate on KYW Newsradio next month.
If Cherelle Parker wins the Philadelphia general mayoral election in November, she said she’d pick a police commissioner with “knowledge of Philadelphia.”
The chair of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia board defended CEO’s Madeline Bell’s $7.7 million pay package in 2021 in a message to employees. It was in response to an Inquirer article published last week which highlighted Bell’s record pay.
Philadelphia has some of the most expensive private parking in the country.
Pennsylvanians will now be automatically registered to vote when they get a driver’s license or an identification card.
Three Philly spots — El Chingón, Kalaya, and My Loup — made the New York Times’ Best Restaurants 2023 List.
Overhauling SEPTA’s bus network for the first time in six decades has been a massive undertaking.
SEPTA planners unveiled the final draft of a new route system, so that means we made an updated interactive to show the ways your commute will change.
It’s the third version of the plan after more than two years of work and sometimes contentious discussions with the public during community meetings. It comes after 20,000 critiques and questions to the transit agency.
Enter your address and let us show you your future commutes.
🧠 Trivia time 🧠
How much did Jerry Blavat’s 7-foot succulent sell for on Instagram?
A) $500
B) $450
C) $350
D) $300
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
👀 Watching: Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke might become a new member of Pennsylvania’s Liquor Control Board.
⚓ Anticipating: Navy Week is coming back to Philly for the first time since 2011 next month.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram 🧩
Hint: A South Philly landmark
APORT HEWS STORKS
We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Regina Jereb, who correctly guessed Tuesday’s answer: Forman Mills. Email us if you know the answer.
Photo of the day
And that’s all I have for you this morning. Have a great hump day and I’ll catch you tomorrow.