Helen Gym for Mayor

Can you believe it, John? Eight years ago today we launched our first campaign for City Council.

When we started this journey, we did it to save our schools, our communities, and our city. We successfully ended the state takeover of our public schools and restored nurses, counselors, and arts and music programs to classrooms, and laid the foundation to modernize every building. 

We passed a groundbreaking Fair Workweek law to guarantee predictable, stable schedules for 100,000+ Philadelphia workers. We kept families together by reducing the number of young people sent into residential placement and ensuring benefits for foster kids and parents.

And that’s why when we ran again in 2019, Philly sent us back to City Council with more votes than any Council candidate in over 30 years. While the office has changed, our mission remains the same. 

John — this campaign isn’t looking for a victory at any moment or short-term political wins that don’t meaningfully impact the communities we serve. This campaign is driven by a moral agenda and the systemic change this city needs. 

Everything we’ve accomplished started with the communities on the ground and kept everyday Philadelphians at the core. Together, we can take this people-centered movement all the way to the Mayor’s Office — tackling the biggest issues before us with a people’s agenda that invests in every community. 

Whether you’ve pitched in a few hours or a few dollars, joined us at an event, or taken a moment of your day to read messages just like this one — I’m grateful for your support and participation on this historic journey.

Onward,
Helen Gym

Here’s me and my campaign manager Brendan McPhillips during the 2015 campaign!