The new independent expenditure group Philly 3.0 has endorsed six candidates for City Council. Five of them those endorsed are challengers to Council’s at-large seats, and the sixth is incumbent Seventh District Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez.

Four Democrats and One Republican got the PAC’s support for at-large:

• Tom Wyatt (D), a partner at Dilworth Paxson law firm.
• Paul Steinke (D), the former manager of Reading Terminal Market.
• Derek Green (D), former legislative aide to Councilwoman Marian Tasco.
• Isaiah Thomas (D), charter school dean at Sankofa Freedom Academy.
• Terry Tracy ( R), a former retail executive.

The endorsement is significant in that Philly 3.0, which launched in February, is rumored to have a war chest of some $2 million. For the smaller Council racers, any chunk of that change represents a significant boost their campaign’s power. Note that PACs do not have to abide by the city's campaign finance regulations.

Helen Gym, the ed-advocate contender for City Council at-large, tweeted her disappointment about how no women were endorsed in the crowded at-large race.

Philly 3.0 endorses 5 challengers for #PHLcouncil, all men. Gotta love how the new boys club is so much like the old one. #PHL2015

— Helen Gym (@HelenGym2015) March 31, 2015

Women comprise 7 of the 18 Democratic candidates for City Council at-large.

According to their website, Philly 3.0’s mission is “to engage new audiences and to bring new voices into the city’s political discussions.” Their platform criticizes the longevity of council members terms, and note that no one on Council is younger than 41.

To get the PAC’s endorsement, each candidate had to fill out this questionnaire for consideration.

There is still no word on Philly 3.0's mayoral endorsement.