Candidates for City Council

Office Description

City Council, Philadelphia’s 17-member legislative body, enacts bills by majority vote, which are then signed into law by the mayor, who is also empowered to veto them. But Council can override a mayoral veto with a two-thirds vote. Council also holds hearings. Of the 17 Council members, seven are elected “at-large” (by voters from throughout Philadelphia) and 10 from districts. Of the seven at-large members, no more than five can be from the political party with the largest number of registered voters in the city. There are no party restrictions on district members. All members must be at least 25 years old, be U.S. citizens and residents of the City for at least one year. (District members must have lived in their districts for a year.) Terms are four years, and there are no term limits. Per city records, the Council president’s salary is $179,167. Members’ salaries begin at $142,000.

The following candidates have either publicly declared or media reports have indicated they will be running to serve as members of the City Council of Philadelphia. This list will not be exhaustive until after the candidate nominating petition period is complete in late March. 

C70 has invited candidates to complete a five-part questionnaire to state their case to the voters. If a candidate has not yet completed the survey, check back soon, as responses are coming in regularly. 

In early April, C70 will launch its Interactive Voter Guide. It will contain full bios of candidates, campaign contact information, and their responses to the questionnaire.