Races for governor and the U.S. and Pennsylvania House highlight a very small Nov. 3 ballot.
There are three tickets running for governor: Incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Republicans Stacy Garrity and Jason Richey and Libertarians Ken Krawchuk and John Thomas.
U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-2nd dist.) will face Republican Jessica Arriaga. The district includes all of the Northeast, parts of North Philadelphia and other areas of the city.
State Sen. Tina Tartaglione is unopposed, as are state Reps. Sean Dougherty, Ed Neilson, Jason Dawkins, Jared Solomon and Anthony Bellmon.
In the 170th district, Republican Rep. Martina White faces Democrat Rob Gurtcheff, a fraud investigator for a health insurance company. The district includes Somerton, Parkwood and other areas of the Far Northeast.
In the 173rd district, Democratic Rep. Pat Gallagher faces Republican Bill Griffin, a retired principal. District boundaries are east of Roosevelt Boulevard, generally from Tacony to Torresdale.
In the 177th district, Democratic Rep. Joe Hohenstein faces Republican Robyn Bird, who handles public relations and governmental affairs for Local 22, the firefighters and paramedics union. The district includes areas of Northwood, Port Richmond, Wissinoming, Tacony and Bridesburg.
City voters will also decide on the following two proposed charter changes:
“Should the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to revise the City’s contracting procedures to allow for bid preferences and set-asides for small businesses; modify the threshold and standards for contracts that can be set aside for small and local businesses; and grant the Procurement Department and the City Solicitor discretion on bond requirements for certain construction projects?”
“Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to establish and define the functions of Creative Philadelphia, an office headed by the Chief Cultural Officer to promote the City’s arts, culture, and creative economy sector?” ••
