Today’s Daily News reports that the historic lead of Mayoral candidate Michael Nutter over what’s-his-name may lead to low voter turnout and actually cause problems for a number of Dems seeking statewide office and needing large turnout.

From Dave Davies report:
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20071025_Poll__Nutter.html
Nutter leads Republican mayoral hopeful Al Taubenberger 74 percent to 8 percent among registered voters, and 83 percent to 8 percent among likely voters. . . .
An even-less-competitive mayoral race this year has resulted in little TV advertising, which further depresses voter interest and could spell trouble for statewide Democratic judicial candidates who want a robust turnout in Pennsylvania's strongest base of Democratic voters.

"There's no doubt about it, there's a real likelihood of a low turnout in the city, which could affect judicial races," Madonna said.

OK so I am probably guiltier than most of the YPP regulars about not being clued into the judicial races and other state and local elections. But last May the importance of knowing about your judicial candidates was impressed upon me when I saw one candidate using a grasshopper theme (that also met with the loudest round of applause) as a reason to “hop” into judicial office.

Another reason? Judge Correale Stevens running for Superior Court who disregarded all form of judicial ethic by standing front and center during the “Invasion PA: National Security Begins At Home” press conference, which talked about the threat of the “criminal alien” attack on decent citizens.

And as Dan U-A has posted recently (http://www.youngphillypolitics.com/least_philly_democratic_party_not_bad), the stakes are significant given what’s gone on in PA the past decade.

There's not too much that's politically sexy about judicial races, but there's plenty at stake. Get to know some of them at a candidates and judicial forum at the African American United Fund, October 30, 6-8 p.m., 2231 N. Broad Street. You can RSVP by calling 215-236-2100.