According to NBC News, Cherelle Parker, a Democrat with a lengthy political background in Philadelphia, is expected to become the 100th mayor of the city and the first female mayor ever elected.
Republican David Oh, a former city council member himself, was defeated by 51-year-old Parker, a previous city councilwoman who also represented northwest Philadelphia for ten years as a state representative. Oh had been an at-large member of the City Council since 2012; she stepped down early in 2023 to pursue a mayoral candidacy.
Parker expressed gratitude to voters on social media on Wednesday.
Parker declared, “We’re going to make sure we’re able to put people on the road to self-sufficiency,” during protracted victory remarks given in front of supporters at a union hall in South Philadelphia. “You’ve heard me mention that our public health and safety should come first.
Parker said, “Listen, I’m not sorry about that.” “We are going to employ every legal tool that’s in the tool book to keep this city safe.”
After defeating five fiercely competitive candidates in the Democratic primary in the spring, Parker was almost universally predicted to win. Thanks to an 8-to-1 advantage over Republicans in voter registration, Democrats are strongly favored in Philadelphia’s general elections.
Since 1952, when Bernard “Barney” Samuel’s term was limited due to the city’s 1951 adoption of the Home Rule Charter, which established a two-term limit, there has not been a Republican holding the position of mayor.
Jim Kenney, the 99th mayor of Philadelphia, was elected in 2015 and has served two terms. Parker will take over for him.
Following the results on Tuesday night, Kenney released a statement saying, “Congratulations to mayor-elect Cherelle Parker on this historical milestone in her extraordinary career of public service.” “I am happy to consider Cherelle a friend as well as a colleague, so I look forward to collaborating with her to ensure a seamless and effective change that keeps our city’s progress on track.”