So The Next Mayor project is at Congresso's election kickoff right now, where we're collecting more video of what Philadelphians want from the next mayor.
And we have a big announcement: Univision's Channel 65 has joined The Next Mayor project. We're delighted to have them as a partner in our effort!
Now, back to the election news:
I just talked to state Rep. Angel Cruz, who spoke at the event, about his predictions for the mayor's race in this heavily Latino part of Philadelphia. He said his big concern was turnout.
In 2005, only 4.8 percent of his district turned out to vote in the primary. By 2006's general election, that percentage had risen a lot -- to more than 22 percent -- but that was only after the Department of Justice had intervened.
He's concerned about keeping or growing that turnout for 2007.
As to issues, he said the number-one concern for his community is crime -- and that the successful candidate here will be the one who makes more cops visible in the neighborhoods.
"We need a grassroots, in-the-neighborhoods, kind of mayor," he said.