Melissa Murray-Bailey touts leadership in ‘longshot’ bid for mayor’s office

Morning Edition host Jennifer Lynn spoke with Melissa Murray-Bailey who is vying to become the city’s first Republican mayor since Bernard Samuel left office in 1952. Bailey talked about why she’s in this race and how she feels she can beat the odds in a heavily Democratic city. 

“I’ve been in leadership roles for the past decade,” Bailey said. “You have to figure out how do you bring different groups together to get to a common goal. You have to have accountability and transparency. There are all things that I bring to the table.”

Bailey, who grew up in South Jersey and has lived in Philadelphia for just three years, also said that she’s the only candidate who has run a budget and feels that makes her the most qualified to deal with the city’s financial matters. She feels that she can handle the potential pushback that comes with dealing with municipal budgets.

“Anybody who has presented a budget to a board of directors knows that there’s going to be pushback,” she said. “As the mayor, your city is the board of directors. You need to make sure that you’re doing the best things on behalf of the city. 

To hear the entire interview with Melissa Murray-Bailey, including her thoughts on being a “longshot” candidate, press play down below.