Following a stint in financial services and banking, Rebecca Rhynhart got her start in government as city treasurer in 2008 under Mayor Michael Nutter, and later served as his budget director and chief administrative officer, a job she continued under Kenney.
Elected as city controller in 2017, Rhynhart reimagined the office to take a more active role in policy analysis, challenging the “political status quo” and producing interactive tools to help find solutions to issues like gun violence.
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Previous elected experience: Two terms as City Controller, starting in 2018 until she resigned in October of last year.
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How long in Philly? Rhynhart grew up in the Abington suburbs, spent several years working on Wall Street, and moved back to Philly in 2008.
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Big wins: Started using the controller’s office to publish public-facing policy analysis on citywide issues, took the city to task on its confusing accounting methods, found big disparities in 911 response times by neighborhood in an audit of the Philadelphia Police Department. She’s the first woman to serve as city controller.
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Potential eyebrow raiser: Rhynhart’s most prominent endorser, former Mayor John Street, is also on her payroll. He was paid $22,000 in 2022 for compensation as a “senior advisor,” per the campaign.
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Endorsements: Former Mayor John Street; former Mayor Michael Nutter, 5th Ward Democrats; The Philadelphia Inquirer
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Vibe: A wonk who toes the line between political outsider and government insider. Reddit’s apparent fave.
Website: rebeccaforphiladelphia.com