"My switch is simply a means of keeping a variety of options available as a matter of good politics," John Street wrote Monday in an e-mail, his favored mode of communication, after registering as nonpartisan at the Board of Elections office at Delaware Avenue and Spring Garden Street.
"I have no particular plan at the moment, but one never knows," said Street. "Also, I was asked to do this by some friends I respect who care a lot about the city and believe the city needs more, not fewer, possibilities. My lack of interest in serving as mayor [again] or any public office is well documented. However . . . "
Monday was the deadline for voters to register for the May 17 primary. It was also the deadline for anyone wanting to run as an independent in the general election to be registered as an independent.
Any candidate running as an independent in the general election in November would have to gather 1,845 valid signatures by Aug. 1.
Nutter's campaign spokeswoman, Sheila Simmons, said of the news: "One of the great things about America is it's a free country, where people can change their registration if they want."
One observer questioned John Street's grasp of reality.
"The hubris is just astounding to me. His complete lack of awareness of how the world perceives him is amazing," said Carl Singley, an attorney and former Street ally who has split from the former mayor. "He could do the city and region a big favor by sitting down, shutting up, and going away."
But Sam Katz, the former Republican mayoral candidate who flirted with a Democratic run for mayor in 2011 with Street's support, said John Street knows exactly what he's doing.
