Will Gross Will Run for Philadelphia City Council
The 2nd Ward Democratic leader plans to challenge incumbent Mark Squilla for the First District seat in 2027.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Do you believe progressive candidates make better local government representatives than long-term establishment incumbents?
Will Gross, the Democratic leader of the 2nd Ward and owner of OX Coffee, intends to run for Philadelphia City Council in the First District. The potential candidacy sets the stage for a challenge against longtime incumbent Mark Squilla in the May 2027 primary election.
Why it matters
Gross aims to push policies focused on the working class, positioning himself as a labor organizer and democratic socialist. His entry into the race could make the First District a central battleground for Philadelphia Democrats.
Mark Squilla has occupied the First District seat since 2012, while Will Gross currently manages the 2nd Ward. The district includes diverse areas ranging from Queen Village to Port Richmond, with all council seats up for election in May 2027.
The players
Will Gross
He is the Democratic leader of the 2nd Ward and the owner of OX Coffee in Queen Village.
Mark Squilla
He has served as the Philadelphia City Council member for the First District since 2012.
The details
Gross launched a campaign website identifying his political alignment as a democratic socialist and labor organizer. The race follows recent local tension, including the 2024 abandonment of a proposed Center City arena project that Squilla had supported.
Timeline
Mark Squilla first took office in 2012.
Will Gross ran for a state House seat in 2022.
Gross endorsed Working Families Party candidates in 2023.
Squilla supported a Center City arena project in 2024.
The Philadelphia primary election is scheduled for May 2027.
Market Landscape
The potential race signals an intensifying struggle for control within the Philadelphia Democratic Party between established incumbents and rising progressive organizers. This shift mirrors broader efforts by labor-aligned candidates to challenge party stalwarts across urban municipal governments.
Residents in the First District can expect a heightened political campaign season leading up to the May 2027 primary as candidates debate local development and economic policies. Voters should anticipate increased outreach and mailers as the contest for the council seat officially takes shape.
The takeaway
The upcoming election will serve as a referendum on the current direction of the First District under incumbent leadership. Residents should monitor the official candidate filings in the coming months to understand the specific policy differences emerging in the race.
What happens next
Will Gross plans to announce additional campaign details following the conclusion of the upcoming midterm election.
Further reading
Explore more analysis of local political shifts on the Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Live Poll
Do you believe progressive candidates make better local government representatives than long-term establishment incumbents?
