Feibush launches ads in Second District Council race
Ori Feibush, who is facing off against Councilman Kenyatta Johnson in the Second District, launched two television ads Monday.
Mayor Nutter earlier this year called Ori Feibush, the developer facing off with Councilman Kenyatta Johnson in the Second District, "a little jerk with a big checkbook."
On Monday, Feibush turned the insult into ammunition one of two new TV ads.
"The political establishment called me a little jerk," Feibush said in the 30-second spot, which started airing Monday.
Standing in front of the coffee shop he owns at 20th and Federal streets, Feibush touted his history of creating local jobs. He said he's "turned vacant lots into beautiful gardens," referencing the time he spent thousands to clean up a city-owned lot only to be labeled a trespasser by the city, a story that made national headlines.
"Along the way, I may have shaken up City Hall a little bit," he continued. "So the politicians, they can call me anything they want. Maybe they're just nervous because I actually get things done."
His second ad features local residents sharing why they each are "standing with Ori."
In a statement, Johnson's spokesman, Mark Nevins, said it is "ironic that a candidate who is best known for his name-calling and offensive language is now claiming to be the victim." As examples, he pointed to a 2013 Philadelphia magazine article in which Feibush was quoted as calling Johnson a "poverty pimp" and Nutter President Obama's "chief retard."
Johnson launched his own ad last week.
Both candidates' campaigns declined to say how much they had spent on the TV spots, but Dan Fee, a political consultant who has been tracking the numbers, said Feibush has spent $103,000 on ads scheduled to run up until the May 19 primary. He said Johnson seems to be buying ads week-by-week and, as of Friday afternoon, had spent $6,000 on air time.
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