Clarke hosts, but doesn’t endorse Kenney

A community walking tour is standard campaign fare, but Democratic mayoral candidate Jim Kenney’s foray into North Philadelphia Saturday had special meaning –because of the man walking next to him.

 

Kenney shook hands with voters in North Philadelphia, accompanied by Council President Darrell Clarke, whose support could mean a lot.

 

“You know, Jim and I have known each other for like more than 20 years.  So we’re friends.  As are most of the candidates,” Clarke said during the tour of the city’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood.

 

Clarke is arguably the most powerful African-American politician in Philadelphia.  Kenney is a white candidate looking for black votes. And while Clarke didn’t endorse him, being seen with the Council president in the heart of his district is an image that can only help.

 

Kenney said it shouldn’t be seen as anything but a campaign stop.

 

“I want to make sure that every neighborhood sees the campaign, that we don’t take any neighborhood for granted,” said Kenney.  “And the best way to do that is by doing it with the elected officials that are there, and the district council person is certainly probably the best elected official to do it with.  He was gracious and allowed us to do it and went with us and it was a nice afternoon.”

 

Kenney has already gotten endorsements from a cohort of black politicians from Northwest Philadelphia, who declined to endorse the most prominent black contender in the race, State Senator Anthony Williams.