Good Day Philadelphia co-anchor Mike Jerrick announced he is running for mayor of Philadelphia on this morning’s show, which happens to fall on the very day we celebrate April Fools’ Day.
Jerrick got a big endorsement from Philadelphia’s current mayor, Michael Nutter, who happened to be sitting next to him on set. Nutter called the announcement “stunning.”
FOX notes, at one point today, the #MikeforMayor hashtag on twitter was the sixth most used.
Here’s the text of Jerrick’s speech below:
19 years ago today Good Day Philadelphia made its debut here on Fox 29.
I have been fortunate enough to be a part of this show and more importantly a part this community for much of that time.
Over the years I have realized that this city is more than where I work…it is my home, and the people who live here are my family.
Each morning as we wake up together here on Good Day I see untapped potential for this city and the people in it.
Philadelphia is ready to take another step forward as one of the preeminent cities not only in this country but in the world and I believe I am the person to lead it there.
I do not make this announcement lightly.
I know as a city we face many major issues but together I am confident that we can overcome them and take our city to heights never before seen.
Over the next several weeks I am anxious to lay out my plan for tackling the serious issues we face every day here in Philadelphia.
So I am asking for your support on May 19 as I take this major step.
I am excited about what we can do together for the city we love.