On Tuesday, Cherelle Parker secured the Democratic nomination for Philadelphia’s upcoming mayoral election, but a health issue led to her hospitalization and she missing a scheduled victory celebration.
Initially, Parker supporter Ryan Boyer, the head of Philadelphia’s Building and Construction Trades Council, reported that Parker’s medical emergency was due to dehydration.
However, the Philadelphia Inquirer later reported that Parker was hospitalized due to a ”dental emergency.”
Campaign spokesperson Aren Platt verified the Inquirer’s report, noting that Parker was hospitalized at the University of Pennsylvania over “a recent dental issue that required immediate medical attention.”
Platt added: “Cherelle looks forward to celebrating with all of her friends and supporters and thanks all of Philadelphia for making history tonight!”
Reportedly, three months ago a dentist told Parker that she needed to have a tooth removed but did not schedule the procedure until last Friday.
Parker told the Inquirer: “It needed to come out, so we made a decision to sort of just push it off because I was trying to get through the primary, and then it came up.”
Parker, 50, handily defeated former city comptroller Rebecca Rhynhart, and Sen. Bernie Sanders- and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez-endorsed progressive candidate Helen Gym.
Most project Parker will easily win the mayoral election — scheduled for November. The last mayor won with 80% of the vote, and the deep blue city has not had a Republican mayor since the 1940s.
“I’m so incredibly honored to have earned the Democratic nomination tonight. It’s been a long road, and to see the tireless work of my campaign team, supporters, and family pay off is humbling,” Parker said.
“I’m looking forward to November and bringing our city together as its 100th mayor.”
Parker promised to increase funding for officers to “stop the sense of lawlessness that is plaguing our city.”
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