Young Philadelphians tell mayoral candidate Shania Bennett what they want from the city’s next leader
With a background in investigative journalism from Drexel University, Leo has been reporting on local government for 6 years, previously for the Montgomery News. His rigorous approach to research and fact-checking ensures his articles are backed by solid evidence, engaging the public in local issues.
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What questions do you have about the 2026 elections? What major issues do you want candidates to address? Let us know. Shania Bennett, the 26-year-old challenging Mayor Cherelle Parker in next year s Democratic primary, brought her campaign s focus on young Philadelphians to North Philly on Wednesday evening, hosting a listening session at Kingdom Boxing Gym. Since announcing her candidacy, Bennett has been hosting public listening sessions focusing on various topics including mental health and wellness, public safety, and political strategy. She said she plans to hear the concerns of Philadelphians before releasing a policy platform. Bennett addressed concerns over large gatherings of young people that are often organized through social media, sometimes referred to as teen takeovers. In Philadelphia, a teen takeover in Center City over Labor Day weekend resulted in multiple arrests and citations as well as injuries to a Philadelphia police sergeant. Bennett argued that the city s res