State Sen. Anthony Williams announces that he, too, wants the Democratic nod to be mayor the same day at the Independence Visitors Center.
Former District Attorney Lynne Abraham is seeking a return to public office, while state Sen. Anthony Williams is looking to move from state to city government.
On Nov. 19, more than 200 people traveled to the Franklin Institute to listen to Abraham announce her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for mayor.
A few hours later, a similar-sized crowd gathered at the Independence Visitors Center to hear Williams announce that he, too, wants the Democratic nod to be mayor.
Abraham’s crowd consisted largely of community leaders, though former state Sen. Bob Rovner had a front-row seat.
Michael Sklaroff, a longtime friend who worked for Abraham in the 1970s at the Redevelopment Authority, described how Abraham beat back the local Democratic Party when fellow Common Pleas Court judges elected her district attorney in 1991 after DA Ron Castille resigned to run for mayor. More recently, Sklaroff said a political operative told the Abraham camp that she was getting started too late to win, that ward leaders and unions were already committed to other candidates and that the race would get “ugly.”
“That campaign folded two days ago,” Sklaroff said, referring to the Nov. 17 decision by City Controller Alan Butkovitz to not enter the race.
Why is she running?
“I just love this city,” she said.
Abraham appealed to voters who want experience, grit, desire, courage, a government reformer and transformational leadership.
“I am your candidate,” she said.
Abraham called for a public airing of the pluses and minuses of a sale of Philadelphia Gas Works.
Abraham is no fan of councilmanic prerogative, the unwritten agreement among Philadelphia’s 10 district Council members that gives them control over land use and development in their districts.
Describing public school performance and the dropout and truancy rates as “dismal,” Abraham said she would lobby the state or join in litigation to secure more funding.
As “CEO of Philadelphia Inc.,” she would provide more funding for the Department of Licenses and Inspections and implement a ban on all gifts for members of her administration.
Abraham not only supports the 10-year tax abatement for new construction, she proposes a 20-year abatement.
“It brings new people who help our economy,” she said.
As for Williams, members of “Team Tony” in attendance included state Sen. Shirley Kitchen, state Reps. Mark Cohen and Jordan Harris, City Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez, Councilmen Kenyatta Johnson and Curtis Jones, District Attorney Seth Williams and Sheriff Jewell Williams.
The crowd also included Democratic ward leaders such as Bill Dolbow, of the Lawncrest-based 35th Ward. Representatives of many ethnic groups were also in attendance.
The candidate walked out to the Temptations’ Get Ready. He wants to improve Philadelphia’s standing among the top 10 American cities in the areas of income inequality, number of entrepreneurs, job growth and the poverty rate. Some 27 percent of Philadelphians live in poverty, including 40 percent of children.
Williams wants Philadelphia to again become the “workshop of the world.” He had his supporters chant the phrase “One Philadelphia.”
Williams became emotional when talking about his late father, state Sen. Hardy Williams, who ran for mayor in 1971.
After his speech, Williams said representing a diverse district in the Senate would help him as mayor.
“I can balance a variety of interests,” he said.
Philadelphia can’t survive without help from Harrisburg, and he believes his experience in the Republican-dominated state legislature would benefit the city.
Williams said he has an edge on his opponents because of his background. He has an economics degree, was an executive at PepsiCo, once led the Philadelphia delegation in the state House of Representatives and is the Senate whip.
“Leadership has been part of my mantra,” he said. ••
It’s official: Former District Attorney Lynne Abraham announces her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for mayor on Nov. 19 at the Franklin Institute. MARIA POUCHNIKOVA / TIMES PHOTOS
