Jim Kenney
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| Jim Kenney | |
|---|---|
| Office | 99th Mayor of Philadelphia |
| Term start | January 4, 2016 |
| Term end | January 2, 2024 |
| Predecessor | Michael Nutter |
| Successor | Cherelle Parker |
| Birth place | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | La Salle University (BA) |
Jim Kenney. He served as the 99th Mayor of Philadelphia from 2016 to 2024, following a lengthy career in the Philadelphia City Council. A member of the Democratic Party, his administration focused on initiatives such as the soda tax, criminal justice reform, and navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia.
Early Life and Education
He was born and raised in the South Philadelphia neighborhood, the son of a Philadelphia Fire Department firefighter. He attended Saint Joseph's Preparatory School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science from La Salle University. His early political involvement included working for Philadelphia City Council member Joan Specter, the wife of former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter.
Career
He was first elected to represent the at-large district on the Philadelphia City Council in 1991, serving for 23 years. During his tenure, he chaired influential committees including Finance and Labor and Civil Service. He sponsored significant legislation, such as the 2014 decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana, and was a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, often clashing with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He resigned from the Philadelphia City Council in 2015 to run for mayor.
Mayoralty of Philadelphia
He was elected Mayor of Philadelphia in 2015, defeating Republican candidate Melissa Murray Bailey, and was re-elected in 2019. A major early policy achievement was the 2017 passage of the soda tax, a levy on sweetened beverages designed to fund universal pre-kindergarten and improve recreation centers and libraries. His administration launched Philadelphia Police Department reform efforts, including ending stop-and-frisk as an official policy, and established the Office of Reentry Partnerships. He oversaw the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia, implementing public health mandates and economic relief programs, and presided over events like the 2016 Democratic National Convention and the 2017 NFL Draft. His tenure concluded in January 2024, succeeded by Cherelle Parker.
Political Positions
Politically, he is considered a progressive Democrat. He was a strong supporter of sanctuary city policies, issuing an executive order limiting cooperation between the Philadelphia Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He advocated for stricter gun control measures and was a critic of the National Rifle Association. On environmental issues, he committed the city to the Paris Agreement goals through the Philadelphia Energy Campaign. He also endorsed Joe Biden early in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries.
Personal Life
He is a lifelong resident of Philadelphia and is known for his straightforward, sometimes blunt, communication style. He is a devout Roman Catholic but has been publicly critical of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on social issues. An avid fan of Philadelphia sports, he is frequently seen at games for the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles. He has never married and has no children.
Category:Mayors of Philadelphia Category:Philadelphia City Council members Category:La Salle University alumni