Cherelle Parker begins unifying Philadelphia's Democratic Party
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The matchup for Philadelphia's 100th mayor is set. Democrat Cherelle Parker will face Republican David Oh in November.
But while Oh ran through the primary season uncontested, Parker fought through a crowded Democratic field. Now, she's trying to bring Democrats back together.
After a spirited Democratic primary, mayoral nominee Parker is now looking to mend fences with former rivals that started Wednesday over breakfast at the Bleu Brook in West Philly.
"It's a great show, visual, for people in the city to know that we're all together, and let's get this city back on track the way it should be," Bob Brady, said.
City Democratic party chair Brady credits Parker's relationship building for her win last week and says she'll need those skills now. Parker topped a deep field of candidates by more than 24,000 votes but still walked away with less than a third of the total vote.
"Any amount of success that I have achieved, it has been done by bringing unlikely allies together," Parker said.
Many of her former rivals became allies Wednesday. One by one, seven former Democratic mayoral candidates lined up to pledge support to Parker.
"We're gonna have to put our differences aside and do what's best for the city," Rep. Amen Brown said.
"I sincerely offer whatever assistance I can provide," Jeff Brown said.
"Cherelle, whatever I can do to help, I'm here for you," Allan Domb said.
Domb knows Parker well. The two sat next to each other for years on city council. He believes there's room to work with Parker on his priorities.
"Teaching financial literacy K-12, teaching technology K-12," Domb said. "And teaching entrepreneurship K-12."
We also asked Helen Gym how she plans to work with Parker moving forward.
"I'm focused in on schools and the situation around our young people, and the conditions within our neighborhoods," Gym said. "And I think a lot of that will overlap with the mayor, and some of it may just be in partnership."
There was one notable absence at Bleu Brook Wednesday morning.
Officials say Rebecca Rhynhart was traveling and was unable to attend. Parker says she's confident she'll be able to sit down with Rhynhart.
