City Controller Alan Butkovitz will be facing three opponents in the May 21 Democratic primary.
Butkovitz, of Castor Gardens, will be seeking his third four-year term.
The challengers will be Michael P. Williams and two Northeast natives, Brett Mandel and Mark Zecca.
In 2009, Butkovitz survived a tough three-way primary that also included Mandel.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Terry Tracy.
Unlike Butkovitz, District Attorney Seth Williams has a free ride in the primary. In the general election, he’ll meet Republican Daniel Alvarez, a Somerton resident.
The deadline for candidates to submit their nominating petitions was March 12.
In the race for three seats on the city’s troubled Traffic Court, 41 people turned in signatures to appear on the ballot.
The Republicans have only two candidates for Traffic Court, Ella Butcher of Burholme and Chris Vogler of West Mayfair.
Candidates for city courts can file on both major party ballots, and Butcher will be among 40 names on the Democratic ticket.
Other Northeast residents in the mix for a Traffic Court seat are Fox Chase’s Donna DeRose and Fred Mari, Rhawnhurst’s Ryan Mulvey, Summerdale’s Jose Figueroa and Somerton’s David Mamikonyan.
The future of Traffic Court, located at 8th and Spring Garden streets, is unclear.
Twelve people, including nine current or former judges, were indicted on Jan. 31 in an alleged traffic ticket-fixing scheme.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said ward leaders, local politicians and Democratic City Committee officials contacted the defendants for preferential treatment.
Three former judges already have pleaded guilty.
The Pennsylvania Senate voted unanimously to abolish the court and transfer traffic violation adjudication to Municipal Court. The House Judiciary Committee plans a hearing on the bills, and the full House is expected to eventually pass the measures.
To change the state Constitution to abolish Traffic Court, the bill would have to be approved in two consecutive legislative sessions, be signed by the governor and pass a statewide voter referendum.
The transfer of adjudication to Municipal Court could take place 60 days after passage by the House and the governor’s signature.
Philadelphia voters also will elect six judges to Common Pleas Court and three to Municipal Court.
Thirty-six candidates filed for Common Pleas Court on the Democratic side. Appointed Judge Ken Powell and Anne Marie Coyle, of the Far Northeast, cross-filed on the Republican ticket.
Eighteen candidates filed for Municipal Court on the Democratic ballot. Powell cross-filed as a Republican.
Once ballot positions are determined, party endorsements are made and nominating petition challenges are settled, the number of Common Pleas and Municipal Court judicial candidates will decline.
Statewide, voters will elect a member of Superior Court.
Jack McVay Jr. and Joseph C. Waters will square off for the Democratic nomination.
Vic Stabile and Robert Wyda will compete for the Republican nod.
The parties have endorsed Waters, a Municipal Court judge and retired Philadelphia police captain, and Stabile, a Harrisburg lawyer. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215–354–3034 or twaring@bsmphilly.com
