Lack of a Democratic Candidate Leaves Ward 2 Seat Wide Open

In a remarkable development for Jenkintown, a council seat in Ward 2 remains open heading into the general election. This means only independent or third-party candidates are eligible for placement on the November ballot. Registered Republicans or Democrats may only run as write-ins.

Anyone following Jenkintown politics for the past two decades has witnessed the local Democratic party coalesce into a small but mighty machine. The town hasn’t elected a Republican to Council since 2001.

While he hasn’t made an official announcement in a public setting, GlensideLocal can confirm that Charles “Chuck” Whitney will step down at the end of his term at beginning of next year.

When asked how his party finds itself in this situation, Mr. Whitney told us that he believes there are too many people on council. “Twelve is just too many. We have three people representing a ward with, I think, only 1100 eligible people. The pool is too small.”

Third party or independents must file their petitions with the county by August 1. Write-ins do not need to file anything.

Is this the beginning of the end of the local Democratic stranglehold on Jenkintown Borough Hall? Stay tuned!