Philadelphia has elected a new Mayor! Tuesday’s Election Day saw the race for Mayor, District Council, Judges and more on the ballot with many Philadelphians eager to know who the city’s next Mayor would be. Democrat Cherelle Parker beat Republican opponent David Oh and will become the city’s 100th Mayor in a history-defining win.
Cherelle Parker Makes History
This election was not only important politically for Philadelphia but also historically. Parker will become the city’s first female Mayor. She will also become the city’s first Black female Mayor. Indeed a historic win for Parker and a win for diversity.
The 51-year-old Northwest Philadelphia native, has said she lived at the “intersection of race and gender” her whole life.
“My life is a textbook on how to turn pain into power,” Parker affirmed.
“I didn’t hide from it because I wouldn’t allow anyone else to attempt to weaponize my humble beginnings against me,” she told her supporters Tuesday night after winning the election. “So I told you that I was born to a single teenage mother, I was raised by my grandparents, that my grandmother collected welfare and subsidized food to take care of me.”
A first-generation college graduate, Parker undoubtedly exemplifies the grit of the city, the ability to change your situation based off hard work and dedication.
Comparatively, speaking on dedication, Parker served five terms in Harrisburg as a state representative. In 2015, Parker was elected to the Philadelphia City Council and later became the majority leader in 2020. Since February 2021, Parker has served as chair of the Delaware River Port Authority.
Parker’s win is a historical one but it was not a surprising one. In a city where Democrats outnumber Republican 7.-1, Parker succeeds fellow Democrat and outgoing Mayor Jim Kenney, who is term-limited.
The Future Of Philadelphia
Parker has her work cut out for her. Philadelphia in all its glory, like most other big cities, has its problems. Parker will work to gradually lower city wage taxes, combat the opioid epidemic, combat gun violence, make the city greener, safer, just to name a few.
During her victory party at the Sheet Metal Workers hall on South Columbus Boulevard Tuesday night, Parker promised her supporters change for the city.
“That I would put to great use everything inside of me, my lived life experience, my professional experience, my academic preparation, that I would put all of it to great use and I would make Philadelphia the safest, the greenest big city in the nation with economic opportunity for all.”