Helen Gym, a dynamic and passionate leader, is currently running for mayor of Philadelphia, seeking to bring about meaningful political change in the city.
Gym's decades-long history of activism, combined with her recent successes as a city council member, position her as an ideal candidate to lead Philadelphia and highlight the strategic reset and recent achievements of the progressive movement at the local level.
She is a 55-year-old daughter of Korean immigrants who firmly believes that the story of her campaign should not be reduced to a mere referendum on the state of the national progressive movement. She recognizes that political change needs to transcend a change of faces and instead become something much larger and more transformative.
Observers anticipate a closely contested race, with Gym relying on her loyal base and a robust field operation to drive a strong turnout.
While she has garnered support from prominent progressive figures like Bernie Sanders and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, her campaign's focus remains on local grassroots organizations and movements.
In Philadelphia, Gym enjoys the enthusiastic support of groups such as Reclaim Philadelphia as well as local chapters of the Working Families Party and Our Revolution.
These organizations recognize her commitment to progressive values and her ability to galvanize people-power movements, while simultaneously eschewing political jargon. By doing so, Gym has managed to succeed where other better-known national figures have faltered.
The Working Families Party, founded over two decades ago in New York, has a strong presence in Philadelphia. With more than 600 volunteers tirelessly canvassing neighborhoods and knocking on hundreds of thousands of doors in support of Gym, the party has become a formidable force in her campaign.
What sets Gym apart is her dynamism and her proven track record of grinding through legislation as a city council member. Her deep-rooted activism and dedication to social justice resonate with a broad cross-section of Philadelphia residents, making her a compelling choice to lead the city.
As Gym continues to engage with voters and rally support, the mayoral race in Philadelphia is poised to be decided by the narrowest of margins. However, regardless of the outcome, Gym's campaign represents a significant moment in the city's political landscape.
Her candidacy underscores the growing influence of the progressive movement at the local level, highlighting its strategic reset and recent successes.
As the election unfolds, all eyes are on Gym and the potential transformation she represents for the city and the progressive movement as a whole.