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‘Are you freaking kidding?’: Little-known candidates get lucky in Philly ballot lottery for May 16 primary

The candidates who drew the first ballot position in the mayor’s and City Council at-large races are political newcomers, while more incumbents and well-resourced candidates drew lower positions.

Serving as proxy, retired City Councilmember Marian Tasco walks up to draw a ballot position number for her protege, former Councilmember and mayoral candidate Cherelle Parker (not shown) at City Hall Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023. Following city tradition, all the candidates (or their proxies) for the Philadelphia primary election pick a numbered balls from an old Horn & Hardart coffee can. Parker started her political career as an intern with Tasco. Helping her is Sinceré Harris, the former executive director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, now running Parker’s campaign.
Serving as proxy, retired City Councilmember Marian Tasco walks up to draw a ballot position number for her protege, former Councilmember and mayoral candidate Cherelle Parker (not shown) at City Hall Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023. Following city tradition, all the candidates (or their proxies) for the Philadelphia primary election pick a numbered balls from an old Horn & Hardart coffee can. Parker started her political career as an intern with Tasco. Helping her is Sinceré Harris, the former executive director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, now running Parker’s campaign.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer