💡 Get Philly smart 💡
with BP’s free daily newsletter
Read the news of the day in less than 10 minutes — not that we’re counting.
As the Philadelphia mayor’s race surges on, we at Billy Penn have found that not only do people not know much about who wants to run their city, but that some of Philly’s at-large city council candidates haven’t taken many steps either to get their names out there.
While education crusader Helen Gym made waves when she announced her candidacy, the field is also saturated with people like young up-and-comer Isaiah Thomas, son of former mayor Frank Rizzo Jr. and a number of former Philly political aides and assistants.
As long as you all assume that we don’t actually think council candidates are drug dealers from “The Wire” or basic twentysomethings from “Girls,” let’s go ahead and compare the at-large city council candidates to characters from HBO shows. (Incumbents not included.)
Helen Gym – Leona Lansing from “The Newsroom”
She’s a tough cookie who cares about her kids and will do pretty much anything for them. On The Newsroom, Leona Lansing, played by Jane Fonda, is the CEO of Atlantis World Media, which is the parent company of news station ACN. Her son, played by Chris Messina (aka Danny from The Mindy Project), is constantly being supported by mom. Gym like Fonda’s character — she isn’t afraid to speak her mind.
Isaiah Thomas – Shoshanna from “Girls”
Isaiah Thomas is a young up-and-comer in the Philadelphia political scene and he’s at the point in his career where he’s just trying to fit in. Shosh is totally this person — she’s the youngest of her friend group and her intense personality is much like Thomas’. They can both be perfectly described in one word: earnest.
Tom Wyatt – Dennis “Cutty” Wise from The Wire
He’s basically mentoring youth. This guy is all about the Philadelphia schools, and while Wyatt may not have been a legendary drug soldier or spent time in jail, he and Cutty know kids need something to do besides hang out on corners. Question is, can a mentor be a council member?
Click here to check out a video of Cutty mentoring kids in the gym.
Matt Wolfe – Ari Gold of “Entourage”
Lawyer, agent; tomato, tomahto. Ari Gold works for everyone and no one. While Gold was busy screaming into his phone about the latests antics of clients like Zac Efron and Bow Wow, Wolfe was working for Tom Ridge, Ron Castille and Sam Katz. But at some point, it’s time to focus on yourself. Gold didn’t get a minute to himself until the series finale when he finally took a vacation with his wife. Wolfe, on the other hand, is focusing on himself by running for office.
Jenne Ayers – Daenerys Targaryen from “Game of Thrones”
Jenne Ayers says that she’s making it her life’s work to stand up for marginalized communities. While Daenerys Targaryen spends most of her time friend-zoning Ser Jorah and playing with dragons in the desert, she’s stood up for marginalized people every chance she got along the way.
James Williams Jr. – Jeor Mormont from “Game of Thrones”
James Williams Jr. has a kinda scant website, but one of his main points is that he wants to beef up the Philadelphia Police force. That makes him a bit like Jeor Mormont, the guy who was in charge of the Night’s Watch and made it his life to advocate for them.
Sherrie Cohen – Charlotte from “Sex and the City”
Wow, is Sherrie Cohen involved. We probably shouldn’t expect differently from the daughter of late Councilman David Cohen, who was called the “conscience of the Philadelphia.” But seriously. Cohen’s been involved with groups that support neighborhood schools and literacy, and others that fight hunger and poverty. Much like “Sex & The City’s Charlotte Goldenblatt (nee York, previously McDougal) — a prom queen, cheerleader, track & field caption and equestrienne – Cohen sees the good in people. As much as Charlotte believed Carrie and Big would end up together, Cohen believes Philly can be better.
Paul Steinke – The Greek from “The Wire”
The Greek leads an international drug and human trafficking operation from an unassuming Baltimore diner. Is the Reading Terminal Market a cover up for Steinke’s criminal activity? No. But if he’s as fierce a businessman as The Greek, we’d never really know, would we?
Frank Rizzo Jr. – Stannis Baratheon from “Game of Thrones”
Frank Rizzo Jr. is a Rizzo legacy. And like Stannis, he’s riding in on the coattails of his successful relative. Stannis’ brother is dead, and now he thinks the throne is his. Well this time, it’s Frank Rizzo Jr.’s turn, people.
Derek Green – Richard Hendriks from “Silicon Valley”
Green is just like Richard Hendricks in that they both once worked for an institution, and now they’re ready to dive headfirst on their own. Green has worked in Councilwoman Marion Tasco’s office for 12 years, and prior to that, he was a deputy city solicitor and an assistant district attorney. Hendriks once worked for Hooli, a Google-like monster tech company, before he went out on his own to pave his own way and go the startup route.
Lewis Thomas III – Brother Mouzone from “The Wire”
Because LT clearly copied his style.
Billy Ivery – Rust Cohle from “True Detective”
Candidate Billy Ivery is a former US Marine and Philadelphia cop, which reminds us of the True Detective’s Rust Cohle: The hard-nosed detective who tries to get out of the crime-fighting game, but simply can’t seem to stay away. While Ivery was once a cop, he’s now an active member of Rev. Herbert Lusk’s Greater Exodus Baptist Church where he serves as an Associate Minister. Rust Cohle might not have been a baptist, but come on — those deep monologues have “spiritual” written all over them.
