Jon Saidel, former Philly controller, courted as candidate for mayor

While the current city controller mulls a run for Philadelphia mayor, his predecessor said he’s being wooed to run for City Hall’s top job. 

Eight years ago, Jon Saidel explored a run for mayor but threw his support behind U.S. Rep. Bob Brady instead.

This time around, labor union representatives and others are trying to draft him, Saidel said Thursday, but he’s reluctant to run.

“It has percolated in the last week or so to a higher level, and I’m honored by it,” he said of that effort. “What I have told people is that I doubt whether I’d run, but I will keep an open mind.”

Saidel, who served as city controller from 1990 to 2006,  said he’ll decide rather quickly.

“I would assume that, by the end of the month, I would have to make a decision one way or another just because of the realities of filing petitions and being organized,” he said.

Since he left the controller’s office, Saidel has remained very active in politics and organized labor.

Alan Butkovitz, who succeeded Saidel as city controller, is also considering a mayoral run.