[ETA: This post was written by the Daily News' Catherine Lucey, who attended the Fattah announcement.]
Yes, he's in.
As expected, Congressman Chaka Fattah declared his candidacy in the 2007 Democratic mayoral primary today outside the High School of the Future in West Philadelphia.
“The answer to the question that has been debated for many months is yes, I’m going to offer myself as a candidate for the Democratic nomination,” said Fattah just before 1 p.m. to the crowd of more than 500 supporters before the school at Girard and Parkside avenues.
The 12-year congressman focused on the word “opportunity” throughout his speech. He noted that education programs he developed in congress had provided students with the opportunity to go to college. Then he declared that as mayor he would provide opportunities for all Philadelphians by improving schools and making neighborhoods safer.
“This city has given me, as a native son, a lot of love,” he said. “I want to give it back.”
Fattah’s four children got up on stage with him, but his wife -- NBC 10 anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah -- was not spotted.
And no elected officials appeared on stage with Fattah. Few local political heavyweights were visible in the big crowd wearing Fattah stickers and waving blue signs. State Sen. Vincent Hughes was perhaps the biggest name in attendence.
Speaking to reporters after his announcement, Fattah said he thought he would have all the support he needs, but that the most important endorsement was from the voters.
Fattah would not say when he planned to open a campaign office and hire staff.
“We will make the appropriate announcements about office, website and staff,” he said.
Fattah said a Fattah for Mayor campaign fund would be started Monday and that he would follow the city contribution limits in his fundraising. He wouldn’t say whether he planned to transfer funds from his congressional account or his exploratory committee account.
“I will not be commenting with the details,” he said.
Fattah is the second mayoral candidate to officially declare in what will likely be a crowded primary race. Former Councilman Michael Nutter threw his hat in the ring over the summer. Expected candidates State Rep. Dwight Evans, businessman Tom Knox and former Controller Jonathan Saidel have not formally announced. Neither have possible contenders U.S. Rep. Bob Brady and union boss John Dougherty.
Evidence that the race will get contentious fast popped up in the parking lot after the announcement. Red anti-violence signs printed by Knox for Philly were stuck in the windshields of all the cars.
Comments (9)
TNM should make an online poll -- who will declare next, what date? Winner gets to run the blog for a day!
Posted by Anony-mouse | November 18, 2006 10:01 PM
So who do you think it will be?
I'm going with Saidel.
Posted by Wendy | November 18, 2006 11:18 PM
I vote Saidel, then Knox, then Evans. What's the word on Johnny Doc? Does anyone think he's still going to run?
Posted by Anony-mouse | November 19, 2006 9:34 AM
I go with Evans to announce next
A vote for Fattah is a vote for Street and more of the same!
Posted by kevin | November 19, 2006 12:13 PM
I think the next several weeks are going to be the real test for Brady and Doc. There's still lots of calls -- including on this blog -- for Doc to run. But he didn't go to the African-American Chamber event, which was the debut of the campaign, and he's been awfully quiet...
Posted by Wendy | November 19, 2006 12:41 PM
I think Doc may have bigger things on his mind at the moment (like his home being raided by the FBI).
As for Brady, I heard on several occasions that he and Saidel won't run against each other. Now that it looks like Saidel's definitely running, Brady looks like a no-go. I suppose we'll have to wait and see, though.
Posted by Dave | November 19, 2006 1:29 PM
Vote for real leadership, ethics, and vision. Nutter for Mayor. Fattah is a fraud.
Posted by Philly Phantom | November 19, 2006 6:01 PM
Chakah Facade is definitely a fraud - let's elect someone who actually has a record of accomplishment. Evans for Mayor.
Posted by mike | November 20, 2006 6:07 PM
I HOPE EVENS STAY WERE HE IS, AND DON'T GET MIX UP IN THIS MASS. AS FOR FATTAH, I HEARD HIM ON ELEM SMITH TALK RADIO SHOW, AND THE ONE THING HE SAID THAT DISQUALIFY HIM IS THAT: HE'S RUNNING FOR MAYOR, BECAUSE HE WANT'S TO BE THE " LEADER ", FOR THE PEOPLE, LEADER IS THE WORD HE USED ON SEVERAL OCCASION ON ELEM SMITH SHOW, IT SHOW'S HIS MIND SET, JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE POLITICAL SELL-OUTS.
Posted by Bro.Phil | November 25, 2006 8:05 PM