On September 6, 2022, City Councilmember Derek Green became one of the first candidates to announce his official bid to be the next mayor of Philadelphia, following Jim Kenney’s eight-year tenure. On April 13, 2023, Green withdrew from the race.

The two-term City Councilmember At-Large was formerly a staffer to Councilmember Marian Tasco, and an assistant district attorney. As head of Council’s Finance Committee, Green was instrumental in negotiating for a business tax cut in this year’s city budget — something that has led to him being called a moderate Democrat amidst a sea of progressives. He serves as National President of Democratic Municipal Officials and as a Board/Executive Member of the National Leagues of Cities.

In November, just before his former colleague, City Councilmember Helen Gym, resigned to run for Mayor, Green baffled observers with what seemed an uncharacteristic attack on two of his opponents. He accused Gym of pushing “a socialist agenda to raise taxes, and opposes more funding for the police.” And, in a veiled reference to former City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart, he said “endless criticism isn’t pragmatic leadership.”

Upon embarking on his second term as City Councilmember, Green said poverty was the city’s most pressing issue: “Everything goes through the prism of poverty, from criminal justice to housing to education to homelessness to food.”

Here’s what else we know about Derek Green

1. HE PUSHED FOR LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH A PUBLIC BANK in Philly, which he says “ would be yet another contribution to the supports finally being offered to minority-owned businesses in Philadelphia.” (Not everyone thinks this is a good idea — including Mayor Kenney, under whom the legislation seems to have all but stalled out.)

2. GREEN IS AN ADVOCATE for a regional approach to governance and economic development, as he demonstrated at this Citizen event last year.

3. HE HAS PUSHED FOR CHANGES TO OUR ELECTORAL SYSTEM to make it more responsive to citizens, including through his “civics agenda.” That has included a push for ranked choice voting.

4. GREEN IS A PRACTICAL POLICYMAKER. He believes the City can both support business growth and those most in need. He has advocated for City Council term limits, bonuses for new Philadelphia police officers, security deposit alternatives and wage tax cuts.

The Citizen’s coverage of Derek Green

Video of Derek Green

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