City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson officially launched his reelection campaign to serve another four years in the city’s Second Council District.
Johnson was joined by a couple hundred supporters at the Grand Yesha Ballroom on Snyder Avenue on Feb. 18 as he announced that he will be on the Democratic primary ballot on May 16.
Johnson put the city’s gun violence problem at the forefront of his initiatives.
“If we all don’t work together, and invest in our young people so they don’t pick up guns in the first place, we’ll be here 10 years from now addressing the same issue time in and time out about how our young people are killing one another,” Johnson told his supporters.
Johnson created the Peace Not Guns organization 25 years ago in an attempt to prevent violence through education, while giving young people an alternative to the streets. He said one of his new initiatives would be to expand behavioral health counseling in the School District of Philadelphia.
Johnson has served on City Council since 2012 following a term as state representative for the 186th Legislative District. The Point Breeze native is seeking his fourth consecutive term on City Council.
Johnson lists his commitment to improving education, affordable housing, business development, public safety, job training and access to employment for his constituents as his main achievements during his first three terms.
“A diverse community is a strong community,” Johnson said. “From Center City to the Navy Yard to the Airport, there’s about 15 different neighborhoods that I represent. I pride myself to make sure that even when we see developments taking place, which I do welcome, we still maintain the vitality and cultural fabric of our community.”
Johnson chairs City Council’s Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention and the Committee on Rules and Transportation and Public Utilities. He also serves on several committees including Appropriations (Vice-Chair); Public Safety (Vice-Chair); Streets and Services; Licenses and Inspections; Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs; Commerce and Economic Development, Children and Youth; and Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation.
Johnson is expected to be opposed on the Democratic ballot during the primary election by at least one candidate, as New York native Aaron Humphrey has declared to challenge in the 2nd district. Potential candidates have until March 7 to file nominating petitions to get on the ballot.