A who’s who of the (likely) new Democratic faces in City Council next year

Brief bio: At 54, Landau is a well-known housing and civil rights attorney in Philadelphia. She started her career representing low-income tenants for Community Legal Services, and went on to become leader of the city’s Fair Housing Commission and Human Rights Commission.

Notable detail: As an LGBTQ advocate, she already made history once before: she and her wife Kerry received the first same-sex marriage certificate issued in Pennsylvania in 2014.

Neighborhood: Bella Vista.

On the issues: She’s a progressive Democrat focused on affordable housing and re-investing in city institutions like parks and libraries. But Landau attributed her win to the broad coalition she built between left-leaning groups, labor unions, and more moderate Democratic leaders.

Brief bio: Ahmad, 64, immigrated to the U.S. from war-torn Bangladesh and attended the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked as a scientist, women’s rights advocate, government bureaucrat, and real estate developer. She served as president of the Philadelphia chapter of the National Organization for Women, and as a deputy mayor under Mayor Jim Kenney. She also co-owns a development financing firm, JNA Capital Inc., with her husband.

Notable detail: This is not Ahmad’s first run for public office. She twice ran unsuccessfully for statewide office in 2018 and 2020, sinking more than $1 million of her own money into the campaigns. Ahmad largely self-financed her Council bid this year, too, triggering the so-called “millionaire’s amendment” in the days leading up to the primary.

Neighborhood: Mount Airy.

On the issues: Ahmad has called herself an “outsider” Democrat who doesn’t fall into clear progressive or moderate camps. She positions herself as a champion for marginalized communities who also has the financial know-how to balance the city’s budget and an understanding of issues like business taxes and zoning.

Brief bio: Young, 36, is an attorney who has either interned or worked for a number of elected officials, including Clarke. His legal practice focuses on land use issues and he has represented developers.

Notable detail: Young has a history of offensive social media posts. He’s since deleted his account and chalked up the past tweets to his youth.

Neighborhood: North Philadelphia.

On the issues: Young hasn’t published a policy platform yet. But his past involvement in public land deals — as well as his social media invectives against bike lanes and a lack of available parking spaces — suggest land use decisions will take the spotlight in his leadership of the district.

Brief bio: Raised in North Philadelphia, Lozada as a teenager worked in retail at the then-Gallery mall and later segued customer service into public service. She worked as a chief of staff to Quiñones Sánchez for a decade until 2018, when she moved into community engagement roles for District Attorney Larry Krasner and more recently for Latino services nonprofit Esperanza.

Neighborhood: Northwood.

On the issues: In her contested race against Democratic challenger Andrés Celin, Lozada ran as bullish on law enforcement, advocating for more officers and improved police-community relations. She also vowed to crack down on the open-air drug market and quality-of-life issues that have plagued the troubled district, particularly in Kensington.

Brief bio: Raised in Nicetown and later East Mount Airy, Anthony Phillips was an academic wunderkind who is now pursuing a doctorate on the Black church in Philadelphia. He co-founded a successful youth non-profit at a young age and also has degrees from Bates College and Yale University.

Notable detail: At 34, he’s Council’s youngest member by five years.

Neighborhood: East Mount Airy.

On the issues: Phillips has signaled that he would take up Parker’s torch on the issue of “middle neighborhoods,” prioritizing services and preventing population decline in economically stable Black neighborhoods.

Brief bio: Raised in Southwest Philadelphia, Harrity made an unusual entry into Philly politics — by running a cookie stall at a famed hangout for Philly politicos on South Broad Street. His connections there led to jobs in the City Controller’s Office, former Mayor John Street’s administration, and later with state Sen. Sharif Street.

Notable detail: Harrity has been open about his struggle with alcoholism. With more than a dozen years sober, he said his recovery is central to his mission on Council.

Neighborhood: Kensington.

On the issues: In his first full term on Council, Harrity said he wants to improve treatment options for substance abuse disorder and increase youth mentorship opportunities.