2017 Pennsylvania Primary Election Roundup: Who won and lost
If you need to get up to speed fast on last night's primary election, here's a quick list of who won and lost in Pennsylvania.
If you need to get up to speed fast on Tuesday night's primary election, here's a quick list of who won and lost in Pennsylvania, and links to more information.
Philadelphia races
District Attorney: Larry Krasner, a civil rights attorney, beat out a crowded field to win the Democratic nomination for district attorney in Philadelphia. In the November election, he will face Beth Grossman, a former assistant district attorney and the only Republican on Tuesday's ballot.
In his first briefing as the Democratic nominee, Krasner thanked voters, defended his lack of prosecutorial experience experience and said he would not be beholden to billionaire George Soros, who gave $1.45 million to a political action committee that backed the civil rights lawyer's campaign. While progressives are cheering Krasner's win, some prosecutors in the District Attorney's Office – of which Krasner was deeply critical in his anti-establishment campaign – were dismayed by the victory, and the leader of the city's police union is slamming Krasner supporters who chanted a profane slogan about the union at the candidate's victory party.
City Controller: City Controller Alan Butkovitz lost his bid for reelection, falling in the Democratic primary in a major upset to Rebecca Rhynhart. In the general election, Rhynhart will face Republican Michael Tomlinson, who ran unopposed in his party's primary.
Ballot Measures:
Philadelphia voters approved a measure that would let the city procure contracts using a "best value" system, rather than the current procedure that awards contracts to the "lowest responsible bidder." It would let the city award contracts for things like equipment or construction services based on more than just price.
Voters also approved a ballot question that allows the city to create a commission to coordinate public and private redevelopment efforts.
Judicial seats: Statewide
Supreme Court: Both parties' primaries were uncontested. Republican Sallie Updyke Mundy, a justice on the court since having been appointed to fill a vacancy in 2016, and Democrat Dwayne Woodruff, a judge on Allegheny County Court and a former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, will face each other in the general election .
Superior Court: Democratic candidates Debbie Kunselman, a judge on Beaver County Court; Maria McLaughlin, a judge on Philadelphia Common Pleas Court; Geoffrey Moulton of Montgomery County, who is serving on Superior Court after being appointed in 2016; and Carolyn H. Nichols, a judge on Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, advance to November's general election. On the Republican side, Emil Giordano, a judge on Northampton County Court; Wade A. Kagarise, a judge on Blair County County; Mary Murray, a district judge in Allegheny County; and Craig Stedman, district attorney of Lancaster County, have spots on the November ticket.
Commonwealth Court: Democrats Ellen Ceisler, a judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, and Irene McLaughlin Clark, a former judge on Pittsburgh Municipal Court, will advance from their party's primary to the general election. In the fall, they will face Republicans who were unopposed Tuesday: Christine Fizzano Cannon, a judge on Delaware County Court, and Paul Lalley, an attorney from Allegheny County.
Judicial seats: Local
Common Pleas Court: Democrats Deborah Canty, Deborah Cianfrani, Lucretia C. Clemons, Mark B. Cohen, Vincent Furlong, Shanese Johnson, Vikki Kristiansson, Zac Shaffer and Stella Tsai won nominations. Furlong also was the lone candidate in Republican primary and won that nomination.
Municipal Court: Matt Wolf and Marissa Brumbach won the Democratic nominations. No Republicans were on the ballot.
Commentary
More coverage
Photos: Scenes from primary day
Turnout: Preliminary figures showed that about 16 percent of voters showed up to the polls
Clout Extra: Shenanigans and skulduggery on Election Day