While some mayoral hopefuls are already raising funds for the race next year, one may be tentatively waiting in the wings: Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell.
Blackwell, a Democrat, represents the third district of Philadelphia, which includes Penn's campus.
Though Blackwell has not officially announced whether she will seek to replace current Mayor John Street, she said that she plans to "keep her options open."
Should she choose to run, Blackwell said she would depend heavily on Penn voters and other members of her district.
And she says she has plenty of reasons to expect that support. A former teacher, Blackwell said she has spent much of her tenure collaborating with Penn to improve University City and surrounding areas.
She recently met with representatives from both Penn and Drexel University to discuss the increasing crime rates on both universities' campuses.
"We're working together to ensure that those in the neighborhood and those in the University feel safe," Blackwell said.
But despite her localized efforts, experts have said Blackwell may face challenges in an election that will focus on city-wide issues such as education reform, housing and tax distribution.
Henry Teune, a Political Science professor at Penn, says that if Blackwell does intend to run, she has a long struggle ahead of her.
"I don't know what room there is for her," he said.
Christopher Sheridan -- policy director at the Committee of Seventy, a political watchdog organization -- said that if Blackwell chooses to run for mayor, she will have to give up the powerful position that she holds on City Council.
Sheridan said that as the council's majority leader, Blackwell is the "the leading contender" to replace the current council president, Democrat Anna Verna.
Vanda McMurtry, Penn's vice president for government and community relations, said that Penn never endorses any political candidate, in part because of the University's tax-exempt status.
But though the University will not officially support a candidate, key groups on campus may have power to sway the Penn vote.
College sophomore and Penn Democrats President Nathan Hake would not speculate on Blackwell's election chances at this stage in the process, but said that Penn Democrats will eventually endorse a candidate .
Hake urged Penn students to get out and vote, regardless of the candidate.
"Penn students are a part of the greater Philadelphia community. ... We need to continue to build bridges and encourage dialogue with the Philadelphia community," Hake said.
Sheridan said that whoever wins the May 2007 Democratic primary has a strong shot at the office, as Philadelphia's mayor has historically been a Democrat.
But others interested in leading the city will have a jump on Blackwell if she decides to run. Seven assumed Democratic candidates for mayor have already begun raising money for the race.
"The fact that [Blackwell] hasn't raised any money to compete makes me think she is comfortable where she is," Sheridan said.
