In a big victory for Philadelphia’s progressive left, Nikil Saval defeated state Sen. Larry Farnese in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, according to the Associated Press. Saval’s campaign, however, has yet to declare victory.
“There are still thousands of votes to count and we intend to fight for each and every one,” said Saval, who was endorsed by presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. “This district is increasingly diverse and deserves to be represented by someone who will fight for its constituents — for a homes guarantee, for a Green New Deal, for justice for all.”
At the time of writing, Saval is up on Farnese 68 percent to 32 percent with roughly 90 percent reporting, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Saval’s campaign manager, Amanda McIllmurray said the campaign hasn’t yet declared victory because there are still mail-in ballots left to be counted. It has declared victory in the in-person vote, however.
“In this moment of crisis, where our government has declared war on its people with tear gas: Philadelphians are saying enough is enough,” Saval said in a press release. “Enough corporate greed, enough racism, enough police violence, enough divestment from our schools, our homes and our families.”
Saval will run uncontested in November’s general election.
The other big race in the River Wards, the Democratic primary for the 175th Legislative District, appears to still be a tossup. As the results currently stand, incumbent Mary Isaacson is ahead with 30 percent of the vote, but challengers Jeff Dempsey and Vanessa McGrath are trailing close behind with 26 and 25 percent of the vote, respectively. Andre Del Valle is in a distant fourth place with 18 percent of the vote. There was no Republican primary for this race, either.
