If Joi Washington, a Democrat now serving on Media Borough Council, wins the General Election in November, she would be Media Borough’s first Black woman mayor since the borough was founded in 1850, writes Kate Benard for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Washington won the Democratic nomination for mayor unopposed in Tuesday’s Primary Election. She will face off against Republican Kevin Kellogg in November.
Kellogg unsuccessfully ran for Media mayor in 2021.
This is the first time in more than three decades that Media has had an open race for mayor.
.Democrat Robert McMahon has been Media’s mayor since 1992. He defeated Kellogg in 2021, carrying 74 percent of the votes.
Washington, who has been on the borough council since 2022, threw her mayoral hat into the ring after McMahon decided to retire.
“I think it’s a nod to what people really want,” Washington said. “In Media, too, people want a change.”
Kellogg, a Republican community member, is anticipating a competitive race since he has had more name recognition since 2021 and is now running for an open seat.
“People like change, and I think also there’s a different generation after 30 years who live here,” said Kellogg,
Find out more about the two candidates’ platform issues in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
