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Elections2027

The midterms are over. Next up is Philly's own election, with all 17 Council seats and the mayor on the ballot

Every Councilmember says they're running again, the Inquirer reported, and challengers are lining up in the 1st, 4th and 8th districts and at-large. Here's who holds each seat now.

By Philadelphia Politics staffUpdated

With Tuesday's midterm over, Philadelphia's own election is next. In May 2027, every City Council seat, the city's row offices and the mayor's office will be on the primary ballot, the Inquirer reported on Oct. 30.

All 17 Councilmembers have said they are running for reelection, according to the Inquirer. Challengers have already started lining up.

Who has said what, so far

From the Inquirer's Oct. 30 reporting:

  • 1st District: Mark Squilla, who has held the seat since 2012, says he is running again. He is also a finalist to lead the Philadelphia Parking Authority, the Inquirer reported Oct. 20. Labor organizer and coffee shop owner Will Gross is planning to run. (Our story on the PPA search.)
  • 4th District: Curtis Jones Jr. is running for reelection. Criminal justice advocate Celeste Trusty is said to be considering a run, and at least four other candidates are eyeing the seat, the paper reported.
  • 8th District: Seth Anderson-Oberman, former executive director of Reclaim Philadelphia, is expected to launch a campaign. He narrowly lost to Cindy Bass four years ago.
  • At-large: Vik Patel, a former Community Legal Services attorney, and Shawn Moss are running for the seven at-large seats.
  • Mayor: At-large Councilmember Kendra Brooks is considering a challenge to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, according to the Inquirer. Brooks has not spoken publicly about it.

Several organizing groups, including One PA, Reclaim Philadelphia, the Working Families Party and the city chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, are recruiting or endorsing candidates, the Inquirer reported. Separately, developers are planning a $1.5 million campaign to support several incumbents, the paper reported. These are early plans; no one is on the ballot until nominating petitions are filed next year.

What our records add

Turnout by district. Tuesday's unofficial numbers give a rough sense of each district's electorate, though primary turnout is usually far lower. By our count of the City Commissioners' division-level figures, turnout ranged from about 48% in the 1st and 4th districts to about 31% in the 7th (full table).

The Council now. These members hold the 17 seats:

Each member's page shows their sponsored bills, committee seats and votes, so voters can compare what incumbents have done before challengers make their case.

What the next Council inherits. Several decisions this term will carry into the next one. Voters just gave Council the job of writing the rules for small-business contracting preferences (our story). A Child Welfare Commission charter proposal from Nina Ahmad could reach a future ballot. And the mayor's housing plan, which Council is examining in hearings, runs through June 2027 for its first phase (our story).

Getting ready

The Lenfest Institute has awarded $1.4 million in grants for civic engagement work ahead of the 2027 municipal election, the Inquirer reported. The City Commissioners post registration deadlines and the election calendar at vote.phila.gov.

What's next

  • Now through winter: Candidates announce and organize. Council keeps legislating; its next stated meeting is Nov. 12.
  • Early 2027: Candidates circulate nominating petitions. The commissioners publish the exact dates.
  • May 2027: The municipal primary.

We will cover the 2027 races using public records: filings, votes and committee work.