A Democratic candidate for mayor of Philadelphia left viewers shocked with a comment he made about trash during a debate.
Fox 29 anchor Shiba Russell pointed out to candidate Jeff Brown one of his “campaign slogans is ‘pick up the bleep trash.'”
She continued, “Littering, illegal dumping and some-timey garbage pickup system continues to be a persistent problem in the city. Where Philadelphia trucks some of its trash has spurred accusations of pollution and environmental racism, specifically from the residents of Chester.”
Russell asked Brown, “Would you, as mayor, keep or change the existing waste disposal contracts?”
He replied, “So, I really don’t, I’m not sure because I’d, I would bid it out, but I’m not sure if that changes it or not. But Chester is Chester. I’m worried about Philadelphians and, and how their lives are. And so what will come first to me is what would be best for my Philadelphians.”
Russell pushed back, “So you don’t care about Chester? The trash that’s coming …”
Brown stressed that he does care.
“But I don’t work for them if I’m the mayor,” he added.
Former City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart responded, “Wow.”
Brown explained, “I work for Philadelphia, and the trash has to go somewhere, and whoever gets it is going to be unhappy with it.”
Rhynhart added, “Well, that’s … That’s not really the appropriate answer, but we can discuss it.”
Watch the moment from the debate below:
I was watching the Philadelphia Mayoral Debate and umm yikes pic.twitter.com/kZqZfjeyoZ
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 12, 2023
The remark prompted Twitter users to share their thoughts, with one user suggesting, “This is what happens when politicians are honest. This is what I meant yesterday. I’m 1000% sure anyone else would’ve lied and said something that sounded good and not followed through with it. People are fickle. Give them time and they will forget.”
This is what happens when politicians are honest. This is what I meant yesterday. I'm 1000% sure anyone else would've lied and said something that sounded good and not followed through with it. People are fickle. Give them time and they will forget. https://t.co/oi30BTvrwH
— BDMII (@_BarringtonII) April 12, 2023
Journalist Jay Scott Smith reacted, tweeting, “Wowsers. There’s a terrible answer to a question and then there’s THIS.”
Wowsers.
— Jay Scott Smith (@JayScottSmith) April 12, 2023
There’s a terrible answer to a question and then there’s THIS.
And s/o to @ShibaRussell for that perfect follow up. https://t.co/RFcoZBU3Ul
MSNBC columnist Eric Michael Garcia wrote, “Good Gawd Almighty, that killed him! As Gawd as my witness, he is broken in half.”
Good Gawd Almighty, that killed him! As Gawd as my witness, he is broken in half. https://t.co/2X6quLvc90
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) April 12, 2023
According to Axios, Brown is a “fourth-generation grocer” with a chain of ShopRite and Fresh Grocer stores in Philadelphia.
He has notably never entered a race for office.