
Philly has been quick to push into the spotlight the odd family feud that seems to be brewing as a result of the opponents who challenge Representative Brown’s House seat. Sharif Street, son of former Philly Mayor, John Street and Thomas Blackwell, son of the late US Rep Lucien Blackwell and stepson of powerful City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, who by the way has put her support behind Sharif Street and NOT her stepson. Sounds like Representative Brown, who is new to the political game, has a tough race ahead right? Well maybe….But let us consider the facts.

The Urban Politico strongly put its support behind State Rep Vanessa Brown, who has a proven track record of fighting for people, way before she was elected into political office. This single mother of a teenage son is a survivor of domestic violence, and a brief stint of homelessness, only to rise up as a block captain and committee person. She has fought hard for women’s issues, homelessness and poverty within her community and overcome tremendous odds to become the first woman to represent the 190th Legislative District. She has stated that her reason for running for office was that she was tired of having doors closed in her face and she wanted to do what she could to make a difference in people’s lives who were dealing with the same issues she had struggled to overcome.
Rep Brown fought hard during the PA Budget impasse to make sure those recipients of the child care subsidy did not have to choose between quitting work to watch their kids or going broke to pay for child care. Brown recently passed a resolution through the house that would investigate the conditions of Dental Care for the poor and disabled. The investigation would produce information that would be used as a model to determine what kinds of legislation should be developed in order to make these conditions better for the targeted constituency. Brown recently held a committee hearing on Energy & Heat, as a result of the lack of availability of energy assistance and heating grants due to the budget impasse. She was able to bring utility agencies, community leaders and constituents to the table to discuss these matters and also discuss how to keep Philadelphians warm this year, despite the down economy.
This race will certainly be an interesting one.