PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A new self-commissioned poll shows supermarket-owner Jeff Brown leading in the Philadelphia mayor’s race. The poll, which was run and released earlier this month by Brown’s own campaign, is the first one made publicly available.
Brown's poll gives hims a 22% among likely voters and his closest competitor, Helen Gym, 16%. It ranks Allan Domb in third place, with 9% of the vote. Of the voters polled, 23% are undecided.
Other campaigns have also been commissioning polls, and at least one admitted that theirs also had Jeff Brown in the lead — but dismissed the size of the lead and the rankings it gives. They also noted that polls are likely to change as more candidates advertise and hold public events.
Other candidates declined to comment, but a few strategists who did not want to be named noted that Jeff Brown's poll has Pa. Rep. Amen Brown (no relation) in fourth place — something they said was highly unlikely.
Amen Brown entered the race late and stumbled fast. He’s the only candidate not to participate in several mayoral forums.
The Jeff Brown campaign poll shows former Council member Cherelle Parker trailing, but her campaign just got a boost from the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, an umbrella organization representing more than 50 local unions in Greater Philadelphia. President Ryan Boyer said the trades council’s endorsement of Parker would turn the race around.
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“We’re going to put our thousands of members on the street, knocking doors. Financially, she’s going to be okay. That question is answered today. Cherelle now has the resources she needs to run,” Boyer said.
“This building trades has never been a thermometer, where we measure stuff. We’re a thermostat, and we’re going to turn it up, and we’re going to win this race, and she will be the next mayor.”
It’s notable that two of the council’s member unions abstained from endorsing Parker, including electrical workers local 98, which used to be the power, and deep pockets, behind the council.
The primary is scheduled for May 16.