2003 Philadelphia mayoral election

The 2003 Philadelphia mayoral election was a contest between Democratic incumbent John F. Street and Republican businessman Sam Katz.

2003 Philadelphia mayoral election

← 1999 November 4, 2003 2007 →
Turnout	50%[1] 5 pp
Nominee John F. Street Sam Katz Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 267,230 189,357 Percentage 58.34% 41.34%
Ward results Precinct results Street:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Katz:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      50%
Mayor before election John F. Street Democratic Elected mayor John F. Street Democratic

Pennsylvania governor and former mayor of Philadelphia Ed Rendell played a key role for Street by ensuring that business interests did not support Katz.^[2]

The race was covered in the documentary film The Shame of a City. This was the last election prior to the 2019 election that saw a Republican nominee carry a ward, with Katz carrying several.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• John F. Street, incumbent Mayor

Results

Philadelphia Democratic mayoral primary, 2003

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John F. Street	93,799	99.59%
	Write-in	All others	387	0.41%
Turnout			94,186	100.00

Mayor John Street was unopposed for renomination by the Democratic Party.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Sam Katz, candidate for mayor in 1991 and 1999

Results

Philadelphia Republican mayoral primary, 2003

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Sam Katz	18,973	99.93%
	Write-in	All others	14	0.07%
Turnout			18,987	100.00

Sam Katz was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	John Street (D)	Sam Katz (R)	Other / Undecided
SurveyUSA[3]	October 30 – November 2, 2003	621 (CV)	± 4.0%	59%	37%	4%

Results

Philadelphia mayoral election, 2003

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John F. Street	267,230	58.34	8.70
	Republican	Sam Katz	189,357	41.34	8.28
	Socialist Workers	John Staggs	1,291	0.28	0.28
Majority
Turnout			457,878
	Democratic hold		Swing

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   CV – certain voters
   V – unclear