They say I’m too young”: 26-year-old Shania Bennett is running for Philadelphia mayor in 2027 – challenging former boss Cherelle Parker

👀 At 26, Shania Bennett is stepping into one of Philadelphia’s biggest political races.

Bennett has officially launched her campaign for Philadelphia mayor in 2027, becoming the first announced candidate challenging incumbent Mayor Cherelle Parker in the Democratic primary. She’s also one of the youngest mayoral candidates in the city’s history.

And there’s history between the two women. Parker appointed Bennett to serve as Philadelphia’s Director of Youth Engagement in 2024. Bennett resigned from the administration in May and is now running against her former boss. Her political involvement started much earlier: at 18, she was elected to a committee position in South Philadelphia’s 48th Ward and later served as ward treasurer.

Bennett addressed questions about her age at her campaign kickoff, saying, “They say I’m too young, because they can’t say I’m not capable.” She says her campaign plans to engage younger and lower-income residents, although she has not yet released a detailed policy platform.

At just 26, her entry into the race adds another Black woman’s voice to Philadelphia’s political conversation — and this is one we’ll be watching as the 2027 race develops. 🖤

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