City Councilman Jim Kenney announced this week he is stepping down from Council — signaling a presumptive run for mayor.
Kenney had not publicly confirmed his candidacy as of press time, but his resignation — after 23 years on Council — would suggest such.
Kenney has been a longtime LGBT ally. He led the fight for the city’s domestic-partner bill, championed a landmark LGBT reform bill several years ago and, most recently, with Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown, led the successful effort for an LGBT hate-crimes law in the city. He has had a strong presence at LGBT community functions, pressed Mayor Nutter to sever ties with Philadelphia’s sister city in Russia because of its antigay policies, and blasted Chick-fil-A leadership over their antigay donations and policies.
The current Democratic candidates for mayor include former state Sen. Milton Street, former Nutter press secretary Doug Oliver, former city solicitor Nelson Diaz, former District Attorney Lynne Abraham and state Sen. Anthony Williams.
February 17 is the first day for candidates to circulate nomination petitions. The primary election is May 19.
