Election Analysis: Mayoral Candidates Stuck Largely To The Issues

By Larry Kane

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Jim Kenney wasn't the only winner on Primary Day in Philadelphia. Education had a big night, too.

For the first time in decades, education became a major issue in a mayoral campaign.  And you can credit all the candidates for that.

Tony Williams didn't win the primary, but the pro-schools-choice political action committee supporting him made its point.

Kenney, never given much chance at the beginning, ran a consistent campaign, fairly void of mistakes (although his earlier positions on crimefighting years ago proved difficult).

Lynne Abraham and Williams were also consistent, but Williams' call to remove top cop Charles Ramsey may have backfired, although further analysis of the numbers is needed there.

The election brought another run by Milton Street, saw a feisty candidate in Nelson Diaz and a newcomer who impressed in the debates, Doug Oliver.

All in all, it was a more subdued mayoral campaign than usual, but it seemed that bluster took a back seat to civility.

In:
• KYW Newsradio 1060
• Community
• Charles Ramsey
• Education
• Philadelphia