Derek Green not running for city council

Derek Green says he will not run in the Democratic Primary for Philadelphia’s Eighth District Council seat.

“I took the opportunity to weigh a number of different factors and variables and made the decision at this point not to run,” said Green in a phone interview Tuesday.

Green did not provide any further details surrounding the decision, but said it had nothing to do with his chances in the race.

“I felt that it if I were to enter the race I would have been successful,” said Green. He added that a number of donors, voters and elected officials had encouraged him to run.

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Green said he would stay on as special counsel to Ninth District Councilwoman Marian Tasco and continue to be engaged in the activities of organizations across Northwest Philadelphia including the Germanton Y and East Mount Airy Neighbors.

The decision is a departure from an earlier statement Green made that he would run if long-time incumbent Democrat Donna Reed Miller retired from the post.

Miller, citing health issues, announced in mid-January that she would not seek re-election in the district she’s lead since 1996.

Even with Green’s absence, the race will likely remain crowded with ward leaders, legislative aides and city staffers. Already a number of new and former candidates have expressed interest in running in the race.

The list includes former Eighth District Democratic candidates Cindy Bass, a staffer for U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Phila) and Greg Paulmier, a former ward leader. It also includes Verna Tyner, a former aide to Councilman Bill Greenlee and Jordan Dillard, a Democratic committeeperson in Mt. Airy.

Green was not prepared to endorse any of those candidates. “It’s going to be a very wide-open race,” he said.

Democratic and Republican candidates must file nominating petitions by March 8.

The Eighth District covers most of Northwest Philadelphia and includes Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy, and Germantown.

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