So there’s just more than a week left until it’s time to figure out your voting location and go vote for a new mayor. If you’re the person right now who’s wondering what the difference between these six candidates will really make in your life, don’t fret. You’re not alone.
Whether you care about pot or education or Uber or cops, we’ve got you covered on where each of the six Democratic mayoral candidates stand. (Just Dems, because this is a primary! You get to vote again in November in the general.)
We’ve written a lot about each of the candidates. Here are some ways you can get to know them:
- If Philly mayoral candidates were on “The Wire”
- Meet your 2015 mayoral candidates’ emoji
- The Philly Neighborhood Index: Mayoral edition
- TV hits, forum, fundraisers: An average, crazy week for the #PHL15 candidates
- The #PHL15 field’s high school photos
- Photos: You 2015 mayoral candidates in various stages of weird
First, meet the candidates and get a feel for who they are and what they stand for. Then, scroll down to see each of their stances on the issues you care about. Happy voting!
Lynne Abraham
Age: 74
Background: Served as the Philadelphia District Attorney for 19 years
Lives in: Society Hill
The gist: This longtime city servant has run on the platform that she’s “one tough cookie,” and that she’s “nobody’s mayor but yours.” Throughout the campaign, Abraham showed promise in that she was probably the most viable female candidate to ever run for mayor of Philadelphia. She had the name recognition, the policy chops and the experience running parts of the city. But a faint, a few gaffes from years ago and some kinda lame ads later, she trails behind frontrunners Anthony Williams and Jim Kenney. Doesn’t mean she can’t pull off an upset, though.
Learn more: Check out The Inquirer’s profile and read Philly Mag’s Q&A.
Nelson Diaz
Age: 68
Background: Has been a Philadelphia city solicitor, a judge in the Court of Common Pleas and general counsel at the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
Lives in: Chestnut Hill
The gist: Diaz, the race’s only Latino candidate, has run on a platform that’s almost laser-focused on two issues: education and affordable housing. He’s hung his hat on his education policy ideas that are by far the most aggressive of any candidate’s: He’s promised to end the SRC (even though the mayor can’t really do that) and to sue Harrisburg if it doesn’t come up with a full and fair funding formula to divvy up dollars. He’s also experienced in affordable and low-income housing options because of his extensive work with HUD.
Learn more: Check out The Inquirer‘s profile and read Philly Mag‘s Q&A.
Jim Kenney
Age: 57
Background: Served as a Philadelphia City Councilman for more than 20 years
Lives in: Old City, but has roots in East Passyunk
The gist: Boy, has Jim Kenney evolved. This South Philly Irish Catholic Mummer once considered himself a moderate, but now he’s the progressives’ pick for mayor. He’s the one who championed the decriminalization of marijuana in Philly, and he’s now most focused on implementing universal Pre-K and advocating for blue-collar and manufacturing jobs to support working families. He’s garnered by far the most endorsements from groups ranging from black leaders to women to (mostly) big labor. But is he too close to the unions? And can he edge out early favorite Tony Williams?
Learn more: Check out The Inquirer‘s profile and Philly Mag‘s Q&A.
Doug Oliver
Age: 40
Background: Former Philadelphia Gas Works executive and aide to Mayor Michael Nutter
Lives in: East Oak Lane, but has roots in Germantown
The gist: Doug Oliver quickly solidified himself as the millennials’ candidate — the guy who’s going to advocate for better transportation, technology and a 24/7 city. But he’s tried in many ways to show he’s not a one-trick pony, by putting out ads and marketing himself as someone that’s more than just a young professional, but as someone who cares about low-income neighborhoods and how City Hall can better serve residents there. He’s most famous around here for spending copious amounts of hours on SEPTA platforms, attempting to reach one Philadelphian at a time.
Learn more: Check out The Inquirer‘s profile and read Philly Mag‘s Q&A.
T. Milton Street
Age: 74
Background: A former Pennsylvania state senator
Lives in: Mayfair (but maybe New Jersey)
The gist: Former state Sen. Milton Street (the brother of former mayor John Street) has been around the block before. He lost to Mayor Michael Nutter during the last election, and faced a series of challenges to getting on the ballot this year — namely concerns that he’s not registered as a Democrat and might live in Jersey. But alas! He has made it onto the ballot. Street is maybe most famous for being a convicted criminal (tax evasion) and a perennially-losing candidate that’s been denounced by many leaders in this city. But he still has his fan club, and it might be bigger than you think.
Learn more: Check out The Inquirer‘s profile.
Anthony Hardy Williams
Age: 58
Background: Has been a state Senator representing Philly for about 15 years
Lives in: Cobbs Creek
The gist: Anthony Hardy Williams, son of longtime Philadelphia lawmaker Hardy Williams, has served in the state legislature as a top Senator for well over a decade, and has rose to a number of leadership positions within the Democratic Caucus. He’s well respected in Harrisburg, and has championed a number of legislative efforts aimed at improving education in Philadelphia. After a failed bid for governor, Williams was widely seen as the early favorite to run away with this race. But he hasn’t been able to pull ahead, and has been roundly criticized for being financially supported by charter school advocates and billionaires that live on the Main Line.
Learn more: Check out The Inquirer‘s profile and read Philly Mag‘s Q&A.
Click on each of the following issues to see where the candidates stand:
