Business Owner Will Challenge for Philadelphia Council Seat

OX Coffee owner Will Gross intends to challenge incumbent Mark Squilla for the First District seat in 2027.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Remote Work

Business Owner Will Challenge for Philadelphia Council Seat

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Will Gross, the Democratic leader of the 2nd Ward and owner of Queen Village-based OX Coffee, plans to run for the Philadelphia First District City Council seat in the May 2027 primary. The campaign could set up a high-profile contest against incumbent Mark Squilla, who has held the office since 2012.

Why it matters

The race could significantly shift the district's policy approach, as Gross is positioning his platform around labor organizing and democratic socialist principles. His entry signals a potential pivot point for business owners in the district who are navigating local economic priorities.

All Philadelphia City Council seats are on the ballot in May 2027, including the First District seat held by Mark Squilla since 2012. Gross previously competed against 4 other candidates during his 2022 run for a state House seat.

The players

Will Gross

Owner of OX Coffee and Democratic leader of the 2nd Ward who is transitioning into a labor-focused political candidate.

Mark Squilla

The incumbent Council member for the First District who has held his seat since 2012 and plans to seek reelection.

The details

Gross, who runs the independent shop OX Coffee, is leveraging his background as a labor organizer to challenge the status quo represented by Squilla. The First District, which includes areas like Center City and Port Richmond, became a focal point of debate during the failed 76ers arena project in 2024. As the primary approaches, business operators in the district will need to monitor how shifting labor policies proposed by the candidates might impact local staffing and operating costs.

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 the Center City arena project in 2024.
The Philadelphia primary election is scheduled for May 2027.

Market Landscape

This race follows the patterns of division seen during the 2024 abandonment of the 76ers Center City arena project. The contest reflects an intensifying focus on labor and development policies within the city's key commercial districts.

Business owners in the First District should watch for detailed platform announcements from both candidates following the midterm election. These policy disclosures will likely clarify future expectations regarding local labor ordinances and development regulations.

The takeaway

The entry of a small business owner into the race signals that local labor issues will be at the center of the First District's future regulatory environment. Operators should begin tracking which legislative proposals regarding labor and zoning emerge from the campaign this year.