Jim Kenney

James F. Kenney 2009

L-16-01-13-B-015 (24351519426)

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney (25550370434)

Jim Kenney is an American politician serving as the 99th Mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Born on August 7, 1958, in Philadelphia, Kenney grew up in a working-class family in the South Philadelphia neighborhood. He attended St. Joseph's Preparatory School, a Jesuit high school, before going on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in political science from La Salle University.

Before his tenure as mayor, Kenney served as a member of the Philadelphia City Council from 1992 to 2015. During his time on the council, Kenney was known for his advocacy on issues such as LGBTQ rights, immigration, and criminal justice reform. He introduced and supported legislation that addressed wage equity, environmental protection, and the decriminalization of marijuana possession for personal use.

Kenney announced his candidacy for mayor in 2015, running as a Democrat. His campaign focused on education reform, economic development, and improving police-community relations. Kenney won the Democratic primary, which in heavily Democratic Philadelphia, is seen as the de facto general election. He was elected mayor in November 2015 and assumed office on January 4, 2016.

As mayor, Kenney has pursued a progressive agenda. One of his first major initiatives was the implementation of a tax on sweetened beverages, known as the "soda tax," intended to fund pre-kindergarten programs, community schools, and park improvements. The tax faced opposition from the beverage industry and some residents but was upheld by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2018.

Kenney has also focused on Philadelphia's sanctuary city status, defending the city's policies against federal efforts to enforce stricter immigration enforcement. Under his leadership, Philadelphia has continued to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, a stance that has put the city at odds with the Trump administration.

In addition to his work on education and immigration, Kenney has been involved in efforts to address the opioid crisis, including supporting the establishment of a supervised injection site in Philadelphia to reduce overdose deaths. This proposal has been controversial and has faced legal challenges.

Kenney was re-elected for a second term in 2019, continuing his focus on education, public health, and economic development. His administration has also been tasked with managing the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, balancing public health concerns with economic impacts.

Throughout his political career, Kenney has been recognized for his outspoken nature and his use of social media to communicate with constituents. His tenure as mayor has been marked by significant achievements and challenges, reflecting the complexities of leading a major U.S. city in the 21st century.