Quiet all summer, mayoral race to heat up this fall

Democratic candidate John Street and the GOP's Sam Katz will take to the streets and the airwaves in pursuit of votes. Labor Day weekend ushers in the political season and marks the final stretch of the competitive Philadelphia mayoral race, one of the most-watched elections of the year. Over the next eight weeks, Republican Sam Katz will make a final drive to upset favorite John Street, the Democratic former City Council President, in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a margin of 7-to-2. Philadelphia last elected a Republican mayor in 1947. Third-party candidate John McDermott, running on the right-wing Constitutional Party ticket, is also vying for the office. Political ads will dominate television and radio until November 2 in a general election that is expected to cost more than $10 million, according to campaign officials. And candidates from both major parties have already spent millions of dollars during the spring's primary elections. The next two months will make or break the two major candidates, with many speculating that this could be one of the few elections in recent history where the Republican candidate puts up a strong challenge. "This eight weeks is the real race," said Penn History and Public Policy Professor Ted Hershberg, who added that this is "an enormously significant election for the future of Philadelphia." Street fought off four Democratic opponents last May, following a grueling and often nasty campaign. He kept a low profile throughout the summer, spending most of his time raising money and developing his campaign team. Ironically, the only Democratic candidate who has endorsed Street is Marty Weinberg -- his most ardent opponent during the primaries. Weinberg, a longtime campaign operative, spent millions of dollars raising his profile while attacking Street, and ended up finishing a close second in the race. None of the others, including influential third-place finisher John White, have committed to Street. But while Street slowed down his campaign, Katz increased his efforts, appearing at fundraisers, social events and press conferences. Katz spokesperson Bob Barnett said they ran an "aggressive campaign" all summer, noting that "we can't turn it up much more than we have." Street spokesperson Ray Jones downplayed the significance of summer campaigning, saying there has been "no candidate of note over the last 10 years who did anything over the summer." Street has tried to position himself as the natural heir to outgoing Mayor Ed Rendell -- the popular two-term mayor who has endorsed Street. "If you look at candidates based on merit, we have the most qualified candidate," Jones said. Jones cited Street's work experience with Rendell, his leadership skills and his ability to handle the budget as key reasons he is the better candidate. Katz, meanwhile, is promoting himself as a a successful businessperson who can continue the city's revival. "Katz wants to run the city like a business," Barnett said. Street and Katz are both stressing similar issues -- economic stability, better schools and the continued effort to improve and enhance the city. They disagree on such topics as school vouchers and the city's wage tax. But though the candidates may agree on many issues, voters can see two obvious differences -- their race and their party. Although Street has the upper hand in party affiliation, he is an African-American running in a city that has elected just one black mayor in its history. Recent figures put Philadelphia's population at 52 percent white and 40 percent African-American. "Most folk vote for folk who look like them," acknowledged Jones, who added that he hopes voters will focus on the issues and note Street's qualifications. But Katz has to deal with the more difficult problem of being a GOP candidate in a city that has not elected a Republican mayor in 52 years. Katz has tried to downplay his party affiliation -- and he was, in fact, once a registered Democrat -- instead stressing his goals for the city's future. Barnett said the Katz campaign wants voters to look at the two candidates, not the two parties. "There are no broad [party] policies here," he explained, saying that people would not necessarily adhere to the party lines.