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Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Make Final Push Ahead Of Primary Election

By Mike Dougherty 

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The candidates for mayor of Philadelphia are making one final push ahead of the primary vote Tuesday. Democratic candidates are out, trying to explain what sets them apart from the competition.

The vision is the same for all candidates. Anthony Williams, Lynne Abraham and Jim Kenney all want safer streets, better schools, and a thriving economy.

Kenney believes his relationships with city council members will allow him to get more done.

"I have a terrific relationship with all of them," Kenney says, "and understand what they want to do and what their goals are in service to the public. And we can do it together."

And he says he hopes to start the city's residents on a path to success.

"I want everyone to meet their potential," Kenney says. "I want every young person that's born as a Philadelphian to be able to leave this world, god willing, with their full potential met."

Williams hopes to build a relationship with city council while bringing an intimate knowledge of Harrisburg."To move past the status quo. To build upon the prosperity that's growing in front of us," Williams says. "To make sure the reach is across all of Philadelphia. To have an independent approach to policy."

"To move past the status quo. To build upon the prosperity that's growing in front of us," Williams says. "To make sure the reach is across all of Philadelphia. To have an independent approach to policy."

Abraham has a focused economic agenda.

"We have to reform our taxes," she says. "We have to make sure that our pension plan is safe, and we have to make sure going forward we have a plan for bringing more businesses."

And Abraham promises to change the way City Hall does business.

"Eliminating the kinds of influences that people feel they have to pay attention to in order to get things done in Philadelphia," she says. "Philadelphia has to serve more people."

 

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