Anthony Williams Concedes With Call To Address Philadelphia's Challenges
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Anthony Williams told his supporters that the election may be over, but the values that brought them together live on.
Williams said the issues won't change: Philadelphia's public schools are still in trouble, there is strife in too many neighborhoods, and, referring to the controversial "stop and frisk" policy, the Philadelphia Police Department culture needs to change.
It was clear as soon as the polls closed that Williams' campaign did not get the traction he anticipated, especially in the African-American community. A large number of leading black politicians threw their support behind Williams' main challenger, Jim Kenney, who is white.
Kenney's overwhelming support in North and Northwest Philadelphia was apparently enough to override Williams' strongholds in Cobbs Creek and West Philadelphia.