PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Money in politics — that was one of the big issues among the candidates for Philadelphia mayor in a Tuesday night debate sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, United Way and 6ABC.
The debate host asked candidate Jeff Brown about the anonymous donors giving to the political action committee For A Better Philadelphia, which has been supporting Brown. The Philadelphia Board of Ethics has charged the PAC with violating election law by coordinating with Brown.
In his response, Brown falsely stated that the board settled the case. Candidate Helen Gym corrected him.
“The Ethics Board didn’t settle the case,” she said. “The case has been continued and will probably be settled after this election, which should raise alarm bells for every voter here.”
Related
Gym then asserted that she had the highest number of individual donors to her campaign from Philadelphia. Candidate Cherelle Parker challenged her.
“Helen, here you are again, with your faulty math,” said Parker. “You can’t give an answer without showing your work.”
Gym does in fact have the highest number of individual donors from Philadelphia. She also has the highest number of donors from outside of Philadelphia. She has far more individual donors than any other candidates. Parker, though, has received a higher percentage of contributions from city residents.
Related
There was another sharp exchange between Gym and Parker during a question about school funding. Parker touted her experience in the state Legislature as an advantage in winning funding.
“Anyone thinking that Philadelphia can solve our public education crisis alone, they’re living in la-la land,” Parker said.
Gym’s turn was next.
“If anyone thinks that Harrisburg is going to come rescue us on the schools issue, they are living in la-la land,” Gym retorted.
The strangest moment of the night came when candidates were allowed to ask one another a question, and state Rep. Amen Brown accused former city controller Rebecca Rhynhart of calling the two former mayors who have endorsed her “boys.”
“Is that indicative of how you would prioritize African-American men given the current environment?” Brown asked.
“That’s not true. I didn’t call them that, so that’s just not true,” Rhynhart responded.
Related
A brief but awkward silence followed. Brown apparently was referring to an ad in which Rhynhart calls the former mayors “guys.”
Democratic candidate Allan Domb also participated in the debate. Warren Bloom and James DeLeon were not present.
The debate was livestreamed but will also air Sunday at 9 a.m. on 6ABC.