As Democratic nominee for Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker spoke in front of a crowd in north central Philadelphia, she highlighted that she wants to manage expectations, writes David W. Chen for The New York Times. 

“I’m not Superwoman — I can’t fix everything up by myself,” she said to the crowd.

As the Democratic nominee, Parker is favored to be elected the city’s 100th mayor.

If it happens, she would become the first woman to lead the city as its mayor.

The city is facing numerous challenges — including its distinction as the nation’s poorest big city, increased gun violence, the opioid epidemic, and chronically underfunded public schools. 

Parker is cognizant that in order to address these many challenges, it will take a collaborative effort.

Insofar, she has pledged to hire hundreds more police officers, bring back “constitutional” stop-and-frisk, and seek help from the National Guard to tackle the open-air drug market that has hampered the Kensington neighborhood. 

If elected, Parker has emphasized that the community will be a critical piece of the puzzle.

“Change is not supposed to happen to a community. Change happens in partnership with the community,” she said.

Learn more about Cherelle Parker’s vision as the Democratic candidate for Philadelphia mayor at The New York Times.

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