Kendra Brooks speaks on the rise of the Working Families Party in Philly

The Working Families Party has been gaining power in Philadelphia and recently won two City Council seats. 

Kendra Brooks was elected in 2019 as part of the Working Families Party and then reelected in November along with Nicolas O’Rourke.

In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, Lauren Mayk spoke with Brooks about how they did it, what’s ahead in City Hall and what she and her supporters will do in 2024.

Years of experience campaigning in races including for the district attorney and state legislature helped the Working Families Party be successful in capturing both at-large seats they targeted in this November’s election, Brooks said in an interview.

Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke won the two at-large council seats reserved for the non-majority party on Philadelphia City Council. Those seats had historically gone to Republicans, until Brooks won one of them in 2019.

In an interview on NBC 10’s Battleground Politics with Lauren Mayk, Brooks cited the party’s increases in votes across the city, particularly pointing to “significant increases in Black and brown communities.”

“One of the things during the primary that I walked away with is that we have to make sure that we enter every community in every neighborhood,” Brooks said.

Looking ahead to 2024, Brooks said she has no doubt the party will align with Democrats and doesn’t see people working hard toward a third party candidate for president at this time.

“I think people will listen to all the candidates, see what (they have) to offer and make a decision that’s best for the democracy of this country and make sure we don’t allow the GOP to be back in office,” Brooks said.

As for whether she will support President Biden, Brooks said she hadn’t yet decided.

“More than likely I will support the Democratic candidate but I haven’t made a decision yet,” Brooks said.

Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:

1:00 – How will City Council be different with two Working Families Party members? 

2:51 – What issues would Kendra Brooks like to take on in the next year?

4:40 – Relationship with Democratic Mayor-Elect Cherelle Parker

6:28 – Why is Kendra Brooks not a Democrat?

8:38 – What’s next for the Working Families Party?

10:28 – Will Working Families Party voters support President Joe Biden in 2024?

12:02 – Are Working Families Party voters satisfied with President Biden?

14:18 – Is there anything President Biden needs to do to win over non-supporters?

15:08 – Does Kendra Brooks support President Biden?

15:30 – What did Kendra Brooks learn from the primary?

17:56 – What conversations helped the Working Families Party appeal to voters? 

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