The only declared candidate who has never worked in government or run for office, Jeff Brown is a fourth-generation grocer who has owned more than a dozen ShopRite and Fresh Grocer stores in the city, including seven in underserved neighborhoods.
Brown was the first candidate out with TV ads, which were funded by a super PAC. He may be best known for opposing current Mayor Jim Kenney’s sweetened beverage tax, which helps fund park and library renovations, childcare programs, and the city budget. When Brown closed one of his stores in 2019, he blamed it on the tax.
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Previous elected experience: None.
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How long in Philly? Brown lived in the Northeast as a child, grew up in the suburbs, lived in South Jersey for much of his adult life, and moved back to Philadelphia about 7 years ago. He lives in Rittenhouse Square.
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Big wins: First Lady Michelle Obama recognized Brown for his work opening grocery stores in food deserts and invited him to sit with her at the 2010 State of the Union address. He won a surprise early endorsement from the city’s largest municipal workers union.
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Potential eyebrow raisers: At the start of April, the Philly Ethics Board filed suit accusing Brown of illegally coordinating with a super PAC that’s taken and spent millions on his behalf. Earlier in the campaign, Brown faced criticism for and then deleted a campaign video that showed him hugging a young Black man who compared the candidate to god. His campaign also stopped running an ad touting the Obama connection after the former first lady’s people reached out to say she doesn’t do endorsements.
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What’s his network? Brown has served on the state’s Workforce Development Board and the boards of the Philadelphia Youth Network, Uplift Solutions, Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, PA 30 Day Fund, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Ending Racism Partnership, and ManUpPHL, among other groups.
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Endorsements: AFSCME District Council 33; United Food and Commercial Workers locals 1776, 360, and 152; Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 108; Transport Workers Union Local 234; FOP Lodge 5
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Vibe: A politically savvy businessman who campaigns as a political outsider.
Website: jeffbrownformayor.com