Nutter to Resign for Mayoral Run

Philly.com is reporting that Philadelphia City Councilman Michael Nutter will resign to run for Mayor. The City requires elected officials to resign before running for another office. The Inquirer reports that none of the other rumored candidates need do what Nutter did:

Of the six likely candidates to emerge so far - all are Democrats - Nutter is the only one subject to the special City Charter prohibition. No similar ban exists in state or federal government, which means the other elected officials who are contenders - U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah and State Rep. Dwight Evans - can keep their jobs while campaigning.

Former City Controller Jonathan Saidel retired from that position in January, so he, too, is free.

The remaining two - electricians' union chief John Dougherty and wealthy businessman Tom Knox - do not hold elected positions.

This will be an interesting contest. The Democratic machine in Philadelphia has been ravaged by corruption and challenged by progressive groups like Philly for Change and Neighborhood Networks.