The Commonwealth Court has ruled that judicial candidate Qawi Abdul-Rahman may remain on the ballot despite his failure to disclose any sources of income on his Statement of Financial Interests (SOFI). The decision, issued by Judge Anne Covey, resolves a notable petition challenge in this year’s Philadelphia judicial races. Summary of the Ruling Judge Covey […]
The Commonwealth Court conducted several significant hearings last week regarding the challenges to judicial candidates’ nominating petitions. Here’s a recap of each case and its current status: Elliot Williams Withdraws Last weekend, candidate Elliot Williams and his attorney met with the petitioner challenging his signatures in a mandated “Meet and Confer” session. After reviewing his
In response to the residency challenge raised against judicial candidate Michael Huff, his legal team recently filed a memo asserting that the strict residency requirements of Pennsylvania’s Election Code should not be narrowly applied to his specific family situation. The memo, linked below, lays out an argument suggesting the court should consider a broader set
Today, attorneys representing Julian Domanico, who filed a formal challenge against judicial candidate Michael Huff, submitted a detailed memorandum outlining their argument that Huff does not meet the residency requirements necessary to run for judge in Philadelphia. The Central Argument According to the legal memo filed today, Michael Huff claims residency at 6618 Greene Street
This week, all eyes will be on the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania as it begins hearings to resolve formal challenges to several judicial candidates’ nominating petitions. These hearings will significantly shape Philadelphia’s judicial ballot, determining which candidates ultimately reach voters in the upcoming primary election. Upcoming Commonwealth Court Hearings Starting Tuesday, the Commonwealth Court will
The deadline for challenging nominating petitions in Philadelphia’s judicial races passed at 5:00 PM today, marking a significant turning point in this election cycle. Initially, 25 total candidates filed paperwork—17 for the Court of Common Pleas and 8 for Municipal Court. Some candidates have since withdrawn, and others are now facing scrutiny. Current Field of
As of the evening of Tuesday, March 11, 2025, the deadline for filing nomination petitions has passed, and 21 candidates have submitted their paperwork to run for one of 12 judicial positions in Philadelphia. Each candidate was required to meet specific criteria to qualify for the ballot: Each of these 21 candidates has, on the
On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the Democratic City Committee made up of 69 Ward Leaders representing every neighborhood of Philadelphia, met to endorse the following candidates for Common Pleas Court and Philadelphia Municipal Court: Common Pleas Court (9 open seats): Municipal Court (3 open seats): Click on the links above to read more about each individual
The Philadelphia Bar Association’s Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention plays a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity and quality of Philadelphia’s judiciary. Established in 1977, succeeding the ad hoc Commission on Merit Selection of Judges, the Commission has been steadfast in its mission to ensure that only the most qualified individuals ascend to judicial
In most elections, voters have a general sense of who they’re voting for. Candidates for mayor, city council, or even state and federal offices have name recognition, issue-based platforms, and plenty of media attention. Judicial elections, however, are an entirely different ballgame. Every few years, Philadelphia voters are asked to choose from a long list