With Philadelphia’s November 2023 General Election results tallied, the Chamber extends our warmest congratulations to Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker on her historic victory to serve as the city’s 100th mayor. Her campaign centered on a platform of inclusive economic growth that puts a premium on creating jobs and improving quality of life for all Philadelphians. Mayor-elect Parker is poised to usher in a new era of leadership in Philadelphia as the first woman and Black woman to hold the position when she takes office on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
The Chamber also congratulates all of the newly and re-elected leaders who won their respective races, including those who will serve in Philadelphia City Council. The mayor’s race was not the only election history made on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Rue Landau is the first openly LGBTQ member of City Council, and Nina Ahmad is the first South Asian member.
Now that the election outcomes are determined, the Chamber and our partners are turning our attention to how we can chart a course together toward an even brighter future for our city, emphasizing safety, cleanliness, and making it more welcoming to businesses, thereby fostering local job creation.
Celebrating Victory and Vision
Mayor-elect Parker’s win is a hopeful and fresh start for all Philadelphia residents, workers, and businesses. The Parker Administration has been filled with optimism and showcases a desire to bring collaborative, solution-oriented approaches to our city’s most complex issues.
The City Council chambers will invite fresh, new faces and approaches and established Councilmembers who have served Philadelphia residents dutifully for decades. The individuals below have earned their respective seats as District Councilmembers, promising to offer ongoing commitment and dedication to their districts:
- 1: Mark Squilla (D)
- 2: Kenyatta Johnson (D)
- 3: Jamie Gauthier (D)
- 4: Curtis Jones, Jr. (D)
- 5: Jeffrey “Jay” Young, Jr. (D)
- 6: Mike Driscoll (D)
- 7: Quetzy Lozada (D)
- 8: Cindy Bass (D)
- 9: Anthony Phillips (D)
- 10: Brian O’Neill (R)
The newly elected At-large Councilmembers represent a diverse cross-section of our city’s vibrant communities, each bringing their unique perspective and experience to the role:
- Nina Ahmad (D)
- Kendra Brooks (WFP)
- Katherine Gilmore-Richardson (D)
- Jim Harrity (D)
- Rue Landau (D)
- Nicolas “Nic” O’Rourke (WFP)
- Isaiah Thomas (D)
Parker Administration Transitions with Transparency and Talent
Mayor-elect Parker’s transition is a testament to her inclusive approach to leadership. She hit the ground running and announced her transition team on Thursday, November 9, 2023. The transition team, chaired by Ryan Boyer and co-chaired by Della Clark and Greg Segall, is a powerhouse of expertise and experience, poised to steer the city toward a future where public safety and economic growth go hand in hand. The formation of 16 new subcommittees and roundtable working groups is a strategic move to harness collective wisdom and drive impactful policy development.
Mayor-elect Parker recently tapped Kevin Bethel as the city’s next Police Commissioner, laying the groundwork for a safer and more secure Philadelphia. Her transparent commitment to recruiting the “best and brightest” and ending the city’s “hope deficit” is a call for unity and showcases her dedication to getting the job done.
United for a Better Philadelphia
Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Chellie Cameron and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey President and CEO Bill Golderer recently authored an op-ed in the Philadelphia Citizen on how leaders across all sectors can work together to move our city forward. Published as part of the ‘Memo to Madam Mayor’ series, the piece highlights the necessity of unity, collaboration, and shared responsibility in pursuing growth and prosperity for all Philadelphians. It outlines a vision where collaboration between the public and private sectors isn’t just beneficial — it’s essential for tackling our city’s most pressing challenges.
The Chamber and our members know firsthand that collaboration is essential to supporting inclusive growth and effective advocacy for businesses of all sizes across Greater Philadelphia. The Chamber is enthusiastic to partner with the new administration to address issues such as public safety, economic development, inclusive growth, job creation, and quality of life. We understand that these are not isolated concerns but interconnected threads that, when woven together, form the fabric of a thriving city and region.
2023 Election Hub: Still Your Go-To Resource
Even with the election behind us, we must get to know our newly elected leaders. The Chamber’s 2023 Election Hub will continue to serve as a comprehensive tool with dedicated profiles, relevant legislative history, a Candidate Engagement Guide, and other valuable resources related to Philadelphia’s 2023 Mayoral and City Council elections.
Join The Chamber In Our Work
As our city celebrates these electoral milestones and the promise they bring, we must also recognize the work ahead. The Chamber invites all stakeholders — members, business leaders, community organizations, civic leaders, and residents — to join us in driving impact in our city. Together, we can ensure that our Chamber 2028 vision comes to define the Greater Philadelphia region.
By uniting our strengths and resources, we can continue to transform the Philadelphia of today for a better tomorrow while laying the foundation for a brighter future for generations of Philadelphians. The Chamber stands ready to partner with Mayor-elect Parker and all City Councilmembers to build a clean, safe, and prosperous Philadelphia for all.
If you would like to learn more about ways to join us in this work, please contact Ashley Miscevich, Manager, Local Government Advocacy and Engagement, at amiscevich@chamberphl.com for more information.
