The progressive wave broke on Cherelle Parker

The progressive wave that had been sweeping big cities across America  hit a sea wall in dear old Philadelphia.

Democrat Cherelle Parker is likely to be Philadellphia’s 100th mayor

It is with relief and gratitude that I can say Cherelle Parker will be the 100th mayor of Philadelphia, and the first woman. (Assuming she beats Republican David Oh, and she will.) 

She won with an unexpectedly large margin, and this is historic. 

Semi-historic was the low turnout, around 26% despite the interest in this race, and about $31 million spent on it. It is amazing and disheartening.

The relief and gratitude I feel is for Philadelphia, as I believe Helen Gym would have been an even worse mayor than Jim Kenney, who can now slink into retirement, perhaps in Madrid, which he seems to like. He has no political future, having burned bridges with friend and foe alike.

I am also grateful that my analysis of this walnut-tight race led me to support Parker as the person best positioned to beat Gym, and I was all about beating Gym. I was joined in that emotion by traditional Democrats who whispered ABG — Anyone But Gym.

I hope this is Ms. Bullhorn’s last political hurrah, but it probably won’t be. In the meantime I suggest she get trained as a social worker to ride with cops who are called to handle mental cases. That would be in her wheelhouse.

Parker ought to think about offering Rebecca Rhynhart the job of managing director, if she would accept it. RR showed guts and brains as controller. 

Allan Domb spent a fortune on the campaign and ran a good race. He’s probably shot his load in politics. I would like to see him open a charter school focused on things he cares about — financial literacy, entrepreneurship, trade education. The Domb Charter School would be a better legacy than Condo King.

Jeff Brown can maybe get a catering contract for ShopRite with the Sixers, who need a big shakeup.

Just kidding with that last one.

Parker was not my first choice, but became my best choice to stop Gym. I supported her because I believed she could win and would be an acceptable mayor.

That she didn’t have the courtesy to respond to my invitation to sit down for an interview didn’t affect my thinking. I am used to mayors who don’t talk to me (Jim Kenney, cough cough.)