PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The ninth Democratic candidate for the 2023 Philadelphia mayoral race announced his candidacy Friday.
“Are y'all ready to take our city in the new direction?” asked current Pennsylvania state Rep. Amen Brown as he addressed a crowd of hundreds of supporters at the University Square Plaza Senior Community Center.
“Enough of the lawlessness, enough of the inaction, enough of poor leadership and empty promises.”
Brown, 35, began his tenure in the state House in 2021.
He told the assembled group Friday that the city needs action and a new direction.
“I'm running on this promise to make you and all of our residents safe to create equity and build opportunities for everyone across the city of Philadelphia,” he said.
During his announcement, he promised to prioritize public safety, citing his own experience being shot as a child.
“I know firsthand what it's like to be a victim of gun violence.”
“The memory of that experience still haunts me to this day. Far too many citizens of Philadelphia have experienced exactly what my mother did when I was shot at the age of 14.”
“This senseless violence has to end.”
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Brown said, in part, restoring and rebuilding Philadelphia starts with a safety and security and, in order to do this, he says we must work together.
Brown also touted his plan focusing on economic development, equity and opportunities. He has developers and charter school supporting organizations among his backers, according to campaign finance watchdog groups.
“We must create opportunity with development — but without displacement — innovation and long-term investment,” Brown said.
“We can maximize public-private partnerships to achieve continued success as a leader in the medical and higher-education spaces and expand in other areas.”
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He says development creates union jobs and more opportunities for Philadelphia citizens, small businesses and companies all across all industries and that there needs to be more opportunities for communities in need with a focus on well-paying salaries.
Brown did not address the University City Townhomes battle happening across the street from the senior center.
If elected, the West Philadelphia native, father of two and entrepreneur would be the youngest mayor in Philadelphia history. He addressed that criticism, learning from previous mistakes.
“For the doubters who say I'm too young, my youth gives me insight into innovative thinking and how we can press forward with fresh ideas and solutions, instead of staying stuck in the past because I'm about progress,” Brown said.
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Brown addressed critics who say he works too closely with Republicans.
Brown is known for having some positions contrary to what many Democratic politicians advocate, like a bill he introduced that would require minimum sentences for those found guilty of illegal possession of firearm following a previous conviction.
He says he has prioritized problem solving over party lines.
“For those who criticize my relationships with developers and leaders in the private sector, they forget that those same relationships will help ensure that affordable housing, jobs and resources are available to all neighborhoods, not just the one with high rent.”
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Brown was one of 10 state House Democrats who voted in favor of ruling Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner in contempt for failing to comply with a subpoena amid the Republican effort to impeach Krasner. Brown did not vote for or against Krasner’s impeachment, which is set for a January trial in the state Senate.
Eight other candidates have already filed for the Democratic mayoral primary.
Four Council members – Allan Domb, Derek Green, Cherelle Parker, and Maria Quiñones Sánchez– resigned to become candidates before the Nov. 8 midterm elections.
Controller Rebecca Rhynhart resigned in October and immediately became a candidate.
Three weeks after the election, Councilmember Helen Gym resigned to declare.
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“Many of these candidates have had their chance on City Council to make a difference,” Brown said.
“Under their leadership, Philadelphia has lost its way, but they now seek higher office, which will keep the status quo of inaction, poverty and lawlessness.”
“Our city is in desperate need of a mayor who embodies courage, consistency and compassion.”
Supermarket chain owner Jeff Brown has also entered the race, as has former Municipal Court Judge James DeLeon.