Are we going to experience the Year of the Woman at polling places.
We're about to find out.
Most of the drama involved in Tuesday's Primary election in Delaware County involves the newly constructed 5th Congressional District.
Yes, I said 5th.
Remember, the 7th is history, at least as far as Delaware County is concerned.
It was blown up by the state Supreme Court when they first ruled the state's old congressional districts amounted to an unconstitutional gerrymander, then they decided to draw up one of their own.
That meant out with the 7th, as well as the 1st.
All of Delaware County now resides under one roof in the 5th District, which also includes a sliver of Montgomery County along the Main Line, and a portion of South and Southwest Philly.
Think of it this way. It kind of takes the old formula and stands it on its head.
I was reminded of this last week when I got a call from Inquirer Metro Columnist Mike Newall. He happens to live in that part of South Philadelphia that is included in the 5th.
We chatted about the election and some of the things that make Delco unique.
This is now just the opposite of what occurred when they created the 1st District, the fiefdom of longtime Dem. U.S. Rep. Bob Brady. Back then the 1st was a Philly district, with a sliver of Delco along the river, as well as Democrat-heavy city of Chester thrown in for good measure.
Now these Philly folks may find themselves on the outside looking in, as Delco denizens of the 1st did for years.
That is, of course, unless the herd of Democrats seeking the Dem nomination in the 5th splinter the vote, opening the door to Philly resident Rich Lazer, a former aide to Mayor Jim Kenney.
For now the leader in the clubhouse remains attorney and former Wallingford-Swarthmore School Board President Mary Gay Scanlon. On her heels is another woman candidate, former assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Lunkenheimer. State Rep. Greg Vitali also appears poised to make some noise, along with Philly scientist Molly Sheehan.
Should Scanlon hold her serve, it means the new 5th would have that rarity in Pennsylvania, a woman being sent to Washington.
Former Delco assistant D.A. and deputy state attorney general Pearl Kim is unopposed on the Delco ballot.
Remember Pat Meehan is not seeking re-election, after falling on his sword in the fallout from using public funds to settle a sex harassment complaint filed by a former staffer. Brady also is gone, deciding to retire.
That means a new representative for Delco in D.C. But will it in fact be a Delco rep, or a Philadelphian who manages to win out over a splintered field.
For years Delco Dems have complained about the fact that the county's representation was split in D.C. They got their wish in a new congressional map.
Now they will look to build on the momentum they enjoyed last November when they won two seats on County Council as well as all three county row offices up for grabs.
It's all on the line Tuesday.
Turnout in these off-year primaries is usually dismal. That might change this year.
Republicans will be casting ballots in hotly contested three-way race for a candidate to face incumbent Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
Here in Delco, it's the Dems who will be the focus as 10 candidates clash for the nomination in the 5th.
And don't forget, it's likely the two winners in the 5th races likely also will be running in the special election set for November to fill the remainder of Meehan's term. The seat will be vacant until then after Meehan decided to resign.
Make your vote count.
Year of the Woman? We're about to find out.
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