Best of Philly

Best Political Scandal

2026 Best Avatar

Deputy Sheriff Justice

With all due respect to the real-life mascots of Philly corruption — Johnny Doc wearing a Sixers flat-brim hat, anyone? — there’s never been anyone quite like Deputy Sheriff Justice. Purchased by the scandal-ridden Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office with $9,000 in taxpayer money, Justice is a costumed character who appears at community events wearing a giant plush cowboy hat, reminding us with her terrifying smile that political tomfoolery is alive and well in Philadelphia. She’s a lumbering avatar for the city’s need for reform. Read More »

2025 Best Councilperson, Unbelievably

Kenyatta Johnson

If you’d told us three years ago that we’d be writing this, we’d have probably wondered how someone could be on City Council while sitting in a federal penitentiary. But such is often the case in Philadelphia; we’re a home of second (third, fourth) chances. We want to commend Johnson specifically for his about-face on bike safety. In the past, he torpedoed plans for traffic calming measures on the stretch of Washington Avenue that runs through his district. But he championed the city’s Get Out the Bike Lane legislation, and even served as the keynote speaker at the city’s Vision Zero conference this past March. Here’s to second chances. Read More »

2024 Best Example of Hilariously Wasteful Spending

Deputy Sheriff Justice

In April, the Inquirer uncovered hundreds of problematic checks written by Sheriff Rochelle Bilal’s office. But one of those purchases was just too bizarre to be believed: $9,000 for a mascot — ironically named “Deputy Sheriff Justice.” That’s right: The city office charged with conducting sheriff’s sales and transporting prisoners to court decided it needed a mascot — and that the public should foot the bill. Just like the checks in the notorious row office, it appears the jokes there also write themselves. Read More »

2022 Best Reason to Vote in the Second District

Kenyatta Johnson

It’s hard to stay a fan of the once-admired City Councilmember as he continues to battle federal bribery charges alongside his wife, consultant Dawn Chavous. A mistrial only left us with more questions than answers, and taxpayers now have to endure a retrial in the fall. If there was ever a time to reconsider your vote in the 2nd District next year, this might be it. Read More »

2022 Best Proof He's Not From Around Here

Mehmet Oz’s Campaign-Form Oops

Oh, sure, it’s easy to doubt the Republican senatorial candidate’s bona fides about his Pennsylvania residency when his social media accounts seem to indicate he’s still living in Jersey. But hey, he bought a house in Montco, didn’t he? He’s only staying with his in-laws in Bryn Athyn while the new house gets redone! The whole convoluted situation only got more dubious when Insider reported in June that the good doctor misspelled the name of the Montco town where he supposedly lives — on his declaration of candidacy form for the Federal Elections Commission. Yo dude! It’s H-U-N-T-I-N-G-D-O-N Valley, not H-U-N-T-I-N-G-T-O-N Valley. We bet you order Swiss on your cheesesteaks, too. Read More »

2022 Best Disappearing Act

Jim Kenney

Kenney is bringing new meaning to the term “lame duck” as he comes up with increasingly lame and uninspired ways to duck any kind of public scrutiny. Refusing to meet with a Democratic state Senator, forcing that Senator to resort to a sit-in outside Kenney’s office? Check. Publicly stating he’s looking forward to the day he’s no longer mayor? Check. Who knows what new, magical disappearing acts Kenney will pull off in the 17 months between now and Inauguration Day 2024? Read More »