Obama 'proud' to endorse Kenney mayoral bid (Philadelphia)

[onehandle]

Source: Philly Voice

The day before a general election widely considered to already having been decided during May's primary season, President Barack Obama endorsed the mayoral candidacy of Jim Kenney, according to an email from the latter's campaign.

“I am proud to endorse Jim Kenney in his mayoral election bid," according to a four-sentence endorsement quote. "The dedication and commitment that Jim has shown to the people of Philadelphia is outstanding, as he continues to be a champion for the working and middle class families that make up the backbone of our nation.

"As we continue our efforts to keep our country’s economy moving forward, fight for fair wages, and pass common sense education reform, we’ll need to be able to count on Jim Kenney. That’s why I’m asking you to vote for him in the general election this Tuesday.”

Kenney, according to that statement, deemed the endorsement "beyond humbling" and returned the spirit of praise, citing Obama's "historic efforts" on prison reform, immigration and policing in advance of next year's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Read more: http://www.phillyvoice.com/obama-endorses-kenney

[Iliyah]

1. K & R

[houston16revival]

2. Pennsylvania

is a big building block of electoral votes

and a Senate Tea Partier seeking reelection

Motivating Philadelphia voters will be key

[BumRushDaShow]

3. He is a shoo-in as Philly is 80+ % Democratic

They (unfortunately) expect a low turnout.

Kenney decided on a sortof last minute, "what the heck" bid, taking a big gamble since he was a long-time sitting City Council member who was guaranteed to retain his seat, and he had to give that up to run for mayor in a crowded field.

And as a sidenote as a POC (although I know folks might protest this comment) - Kenney will be the first white mayor that we have had here in Philly in almost 16 years - and that's after having 3 blacks, one Hispanic, and one woman (the former DA for 20-some years) on the ballot (all relatively well-known individuals), along with Kenney during the primaries.

[MH1]

4. I wish the voters who will stay home would realize how important the judicial elections are.

There are 3 Supreme Court seats up for election and the republican candidates are a nightmare.

http://publicsource.org/investigations/2015-pa-supreme-court-voters-guide

[BumRushDaShow]

5. Don't I know it

I was looking at a sample ballot over the weekend and the easiest way to at least handle the state SC election here is to hit the big lever (which is do-able in Philly) and vote the straight ticket which will pick up the 3 Democratic SC nominees as well as the 5 Democratic at-large City Council members, the various Commissioners, and of course the mayor. The other judicial elections were trickier but I was able to find some Philly Bar association recommendations (including highlighting any under current investigation). In this case, if they hit a straight ticket, they can come back around and back out any of the new Commonwealth, Common Pleas, and Municipal judges that are questionable. The retentions are individual yes or now and the Bar site had some info on them as well.

There are 3 ballot questions including one to change the charter to establish an Office of LGBT Affairs headed by director, as well as a bond question, and a request to create (or I guess re-establish) what is basically a city planning/development office.

[onehandle]

6. Just voted in Center City.

Never had so many buttons to push.

The polling place just after noon, was alas nearly empty.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Voted this afternoon - polls have closed

Am glad I had seen the sample ballot (particularly because of the the way they did the judicial retentions). We were running well behind what we had last year at the general.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. AP just called the race for Kenney

Also Phila. Inquirer article - http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/mayor/Its_official_finally_Kenney_is_next_mayor.html

Of course expected.

[onehandle]

9. What a nail biter. nt