2 Seats Up For Grabs On Special Election Day In Philadelphia
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Pennsylvania's primary isn't until next month, but some Philadelphia voters are going to the polls today.
There are two open seats that apparently just couldn't wait.
Voters in two state house districts are choosing new representatives. In Northwest Philadelphia, Democrat Tonyell Cook-Artis is expected easily to win the seat vacated by Cherelle Parker when she joined city council. Artis was Parker's chief of staff.
In West Philadelphia, Democrat Lynwood Savage is likely to replace Louise Bishop Williams, who resigned after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor in December. That's Democratic party chair, Congressman Bob Brady's district, and though he supports Savage, he thinks the election could have waited.On
"I have no idea why they're doing this. It's a lot of money, a lot of expense, they could have waited five weeks and done it together with the primary."
Brady says state GOP leaders called the special election, at a cost of about half a million dollars, he suspects to protect a Republican seat up for grabs in Western Pennsylvania. Turn out is expected to be very low.
