Weinberg has let it be known that he is thinking of running for the court seat that will become vacant when Justice John P. Flaherty reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70. Others say he will have no appeal in the western and central parts of the state. Two years ago, when he opposed John F. Street and four other Democrats in the mayoral primary, Weinberg let himself be twisted into a Philadelphia soft pretzel by the group of high-profile politicians he had at his side, seeming to have no clear message of his own. With their party holding a 4-3 majority on the court, Democrats are desperate this year to have one of their own replace Flaherty. The state Supreme Court is almost certain to become involved in the battle over congressional and legislative reapportionment.
Republicans control both legislative houses and the governor's office.
Without a majority on the court, the Democrats have no shot of influencing the process.