Harrisburg's first black mayor and first female mayor is announcing she's running for a second, four-year term as the capital city's chief executive. Some of Linda Thompson's constituents think she was "dealt a bad hand" and deserves to be re-elected.
Linda Thompson shocked the mid-state four years ago when she beat long-time Mayor Stephen Reed in the Democratic primary. The ‘mayor for life’ ended his 28-year-old reign in a surprising loss.
Mayor Thompson has gone nose-to-nose with City Controller Dan Miller, so it's no surprise he's a candidate to run against Thompson. City councilmember Brad Koplinski hasn't made up his mind yet.
In addition, signs are starting to pop up in neighborhoods. They're teasing the possible mayoral candidacy of activist Lewis Butts.
As she announces her re-election, what are the chances of another four-year term? No official polling is available. But voters are talking.
One response is that they don't know if or who her opponents might be. So it's too early for many to decide yet.
Many of the remaining opinions were supportive of Mayor Thompson.
"The mayor faced an under-strapped, financial-buckled city. She faced a hostile City Council. She faced an uncertain situation with the school board,” explained Nick of Harrisburg. “And with all the items on her agenda she has had to tackle, I think she should be given another chance to get this road straightened out in the long run."
Maurice Lebihan moved to Harrisburg five years ago from New Jersey.
"if Mayor Thompson had more backing from her political friends, her so-called allies, she could make such a major difference," Lebihan believes. "I don't blame her. I blame the other politicians for not stepping in."
"I think she's a good mayor,” commented Alex Allen. “She caught the tail end of a bad situation. She'd be a good candidate for mayor again."
The political race for Mayor of Harrisburg is in its infancy. More Democrats could announce their intentions to run. It's been mentioned that some candidates will run as independents. And it's expected Thompson's republican opponent of four years ago, Nevin Mindlin, will also be a candidate.
Linda Thompson shocked the mid-state four years ago when she beat long-time Mayor Stephen Reed in the Democratic primary. The ‘mayor for life’ ended his 28-year-old reign in a surprising loss.
Mayor Thompson has gone nose-to-nose with City Controller Dan Miller, so it's no surprise he's a candidate to run against Thompson. City councilmember Brad Koplinski hasn't made up his mind yet.
In addition, signs are starting to pop up in neighborhoods. They're teasing the possible mayoral candidacy of activist Lewis Butts.
As she announces her re-election, what are the chances of another four-year term? No official polling is available. But voters are talking.
One response is that they don't know if or who her opponents might be. So it's too early for many to decide yet.
Many of the remaining opinions were supportive of Mayor Thompson.
"The mayor faced an under-strapped, financial-buckled city. She faced a hostile City Council. She faced an uncertain situation with the school board,” explained Nick of Harrisburg. “And with all the items on her agenda she has had to tackle, I think she should be given another chance to get this road straightened out in the long run."
Maurice Lebihan moved to Harrisburg five years ago from New Jersey.
"if Mayor Thompson had more backing from her political friends, her so-called allies, she could make such a major difference," Lebihan believes. "I don't blame her. I blame the other politicians for not stepping in."
"I think she's a good mayor,” commented Alex Allen. “She caught the tail end of a bad situation. She'd be a good candidate for mayor again."
The political race for Mayor of Harrisburg is in its infancy. More Democrats could announce their intentions to run. It's been mentioned that some candidates will run as independents. And it's expected Thompson's republican opponent of four years ago, Nevin Mindlin, will also be a candidate.