Councilman Jim Kenney Nearing Decision on Philadelphia Mayoral Run

By Mike Dunn

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Longtime Philadelphia city councilman Jim Kenney is inching closer to a decision on whether to leave his current job and run for mayor.

Kenney's interest in running for mayor has clearly ratcheted up in the last few days, particularly after the surprise withdrawal of another candidate, former city solicitor Ken Trujillo.

Kenney spent much of today holed up in his City Council office, making what an aide described as "personal calls."

A source close to the councilman says Kenney is going through a process, that the process has taken on more urgency this week, and that Kenney is "closer than ever" to making a decision.

Part of what is likely holding Kenney up at this point is that, as soon as he announces, he would have to immediately resign his City Council post and forfeit his $127,000 annual salary.

Other announced candidates for mayor include state senator Anthony Williams, former Philadelphia DA Lynne Abraham, and former city solicitor Nelson Diaz.

Kenney is an at-large councilman who was first elected in 1991. He went to St. Joseph's Preparatory School, where one of his classmates was Michael Nutter.