Philly City Council election results: WFP wins two at-large seats; Landau is first LGBTQ+ member

There will be just one Republican left on Philadelphia City Council after Tuesday's election.

Here's a look at what happened on Election Day in the contested races for district seats, as well as the competitive races for the at-large seats between the Republicans and the Working Families Party.

Rue Landau becomes first LGBTQ+ member of Council

Democrats Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Isaiah Thomas and Jim Harrity along with newcomers Nina Ahmad and Rue Landau all emerged victorious in the race for at-large seats on City Council.

Landau, an attorney and former city official, will be the first openly LGBTQ+ member of City Council.

As a heavily Democratic city, it was expected that all five Dems on the ballot would win, with the Associated Press making those projections just before 10:30 p.m.

There are seven total at-large seats on City Council. The two other seats are reserved for minority parties.

Working Families Party defeats GOP for both at-large seats

Incumbent Kendra Brooks of the Working Families Party and her running mate Nicolas O'Rourke have emerged victorious in races for the two at-large seats reserved for minority parties, the AP projects.

Republicans had traditionally held these two seats. The GOP ran candidates Jim Hasser and Drew Murray against Brooks and O'Rourke in the general election. Brooks will begin her second term on City Council in January; her win in 2019 was the first for a third-party candidate in city history. O'Rourke will be a first time member of Council.

The Working Families Party claimed victory on behalf of both of their candidates just before 11:30 p.m. on Election NIght.

“Philadelphia is officially a two-party town,” WFP party leadership said in a press release. “But it’s not the Republicans and Democrats, it’s the Working Families Party and the Democrats. We are so proud of our two champions Kendra and Nicolas, and we know they’re going to wake up every day ready to fight for quality schools, clean air and water, and housing you can afford. The future of Philadelphia just got a little brighter.”  

O'Neill holds off challenge, wins 12th term

In the 10th District up in the Northeast, Democratic challenger Gary Masino, president of the Sheet Metal Workers' Local 14, failed to unseat long-time Republican incumbent Brian O'Neill.

The Associated Press called the race for O'Neill shortly after 10 p.m. With Brooks' win and the possibility that both GOP candidates lose in the at-large race, O'Neill could be the lone Republican remaining on City Council.

O'Neill has served on council for more than 40 years, first winning election in 1979. Masino's well-funded, union-backed campaign was not enough to dethrone that type of incumbency.

Gauthier holds off challenge in 3rd District

Jamie Gauthier knows all about winning a seat by challenging a long-time incumbent.

In 2019, she launched a primary challenge against councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, a Democrat who had held the seat since 1992. Blackwell's husband, Lucien, had held the seat in West and Southwest Philly prior to his wife, dating back to 1974.

So it was quite the shocker when Gauthier won her primary against Blackwell, later ascending to the seat uncontested during the general election.

Running for her second term, Gauthier faced a third-party challenge from Jabari Jones of the so-called "West Is Best" party. The Associated Press called the race for Gauthier just before 9:30 p.m.

“I am deeply grateful and proud to be re-elected to serve Philadelphia’s 3rd District." Gauthier said in a statement. "This victory belongs to all who believe in West and Southwest Philadelphia. I want to thank our volunteers, our campaign team, and the over 25 organizations that endorsed our campaign.

"From the Democratic Party to the Working Families Party, from the Building Trades to the Black Clergy of Philadelphia, from Planned Parenthood to One PA, we did this together."

In all of the city's other Council districts, most incumbents will retain their seats with uncontested races.

One exception is in the 5th District, as councilman Darrell Clarke did not seek re-election after more than 20 years on council. Democrat Jeffery Young, an attorney who has previously worked in Clarke's office, will move into the role after running unopposed.