A dizzying number of candidates are running in the Democratic primary for mayor of Philadelphia. KYW Newsradio wants to help shed light on the race. Our new podcast, Who’s Running for Philly Mayor, starts today.
In the first episode, City Hall bureau chief Pat Loeb talks with activist and former City Councilmember Helen Gym.
Listen to episode 1
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Former Philadelphia City Councilmember Helen Gym is considered one of the leading contenders in the Democratic primary for mayor.
Gym has such a long history of activism in Philadelphia, you’d think she was born here. Actually, she moved here permanently in the ’90s, to get her graduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania. It’s just that she instantly became enmeshed in issues and causes: public schools, Chinatown, anti-Asian violence.
After two decades of activism in Philadelphia, she ran for City Council in 2015.
“What I wanted to do when I came on to City Council was to show we could do big things that transformed the way people lived,” Gym said.
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Gym legislated as she had advocated. She championed safe schools, fair work week laws and an eviction diversion program, earning an ardent fan base — and just-as-ardent detractors.
So, I asked her how she would govern with a faction of the city already against her. Gym says she’s confident in her ability to gain consensus.
“I don’t believe in a style of leadership that is one individual bending the world to their will. My style of leadership is inspiring people to see a vision for a way in which people’s lives actually become better,” she said.
“My work has always been to bring together people and build a large sense of consensus, and then lead with what I call a FOMO style of leadership — fear of missing out. You won’t want to miss what we’re doing, because what we’re doing is actually transformational and it will be exciting for the city.
“I work hard to lead with that big vision of where we’re going. It’s not just about 2023. It’s about 2033 and how people are going to live and how children are going to grow up here.”
Listen to 'Who's Running for Philly Mayor?' Episode 1: Helen Gym
Listen to the full interview and more episodes of the KYW Newsradio original podcast Who's Running for Philly Mayor, in the Audacy app and wherever you get your podcasts.
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