Editing Jim Kenney (section)

== Political Background ==

James Francis Kenney grew up in South Philadelphia, son of a firefighter, and attended Catholic schools before working his way through La Salle University. He spent decades in city government, first as an aide to City Councilman Joseph E. Coleman and then as councilman himself, representing the Second District from 1992 to 2015. On Council, Kenney earned a reputation as a progressive on social issues—he championed LGBTQ rights, supported smoking bans, and advocated for immigrants—while maintaining connections to South Philadelphia's traditional Democratic organization. His combination of progressive positions and old-school political skills made him a distinctive figure in Philadelphia politics.<ref name="weigley">{{cite book |last=Weigley |first=Russell F. |title=Philadelphia: A 300-Year History |year=1982 |publisher=W.W. Norton |location=New York}}</ref>

Kenney won the 2015 Democratic mayoral primary against several opponents, benefiting from support across racial and geographic lines. His campaign emphasized universal pre-K education, funded by a tax on sweetened beverages, and a broadly progressive agenda. The general election was uncompetitive in Democratic Philadelphia. Kenney took office in January 2016 with ambitious plans for expanding opportunity and reforming city government. The challenges he would face—particularly the opioid crisis and then the pandemic—would consume much of his attention and resources.<ref name="inquirer"/>