For nearly a year now, I’ve had the honor of serving as the Republican Ward Leader for Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy — two of the most staunchly Democratic neighborhoods in Pennsylvania, if not the entire country. Some might call it a thankless role, but I’ve never seen it that way. I stepped into this position not to inflame partisan divides, but because I believe deeply in the values of competition, accountability, and good government.

Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of meeting neighbors from all across the political spectrum. Despite our differences, I’ve found a common thread: a shared desire for safer streets, better schools, and cleaner neighborhoods; goals that echo the timeless promises of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

As the son of Russian Jewish immigrants who fled the former Soviet Union, I understand firsthand the dangers of one-party rule. Even with the best intentions, systems without competition stagnate. In Philadelphia, we see this every day; too many of our elected leaders operate in an environment where dissent is rare and innovation optional. The result? Communities across our city continue to grapple with rising crime, crumbling infrastructure, and underperforming schools.

The problem isn’t just about party dominance — it’s about process. Philadelphia has over 800,000 registered Democrats, compared to just 136,000 Republicans and 172,000 Independents or third-party voters. That imbalance means that for many local races, the Democratic primary is the general election. Republicans and Independents are effectively locked out of the decision-making process that shapes our city’s leadership.

To make matters worse, important ballot questions — like the three appearing in this year’s primary — are scheduled in a way that silences vast swaths of the electorate. These measures impact how our tax dollars are spent, yet Independents usually skip primaries altogether because they can’t vote on the candidates. Can we really expect Independents to show up just to vote on ballot questions, when they’re barred from voting for district attorney or city controller?

It doesn’t have to be this way. If we believe in good government, then we must also believe in reform. Open primaries would give all voters, Democrat, Republican, and Independent alike, a voice in selecting the leaders who ultimately govern us all. It’s that simple. 

As the old saying goes: there's no Democratic or Republican way to fill a pothole. It's time to put voters first and let everyone have a say in how we fill them.

Mark Umansky

Republican Ward Leader for Philadelphia’s 9th Ward