Williams wins Black Clergy, Black Ward Leaders endorsements for mayor

State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams has won two key political endorsements in his bid for mayor, from the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity and the Black Ward Leaders association.

Williams will accept the Black Clergy nod in an event Thursday morning after a prayer breakfast, according to the Rev. Terrence Griffith, president of the Black Clergy.

The Williams endorsement comes with an asterisk -- former City Councilman Jim Kenney won the majority vote when the group's political committee voted before the full membership.  Griffith confirmed that his group split on the candidates between the committee vote and the full vote.

Williams this week also picked up support from the Black Ward Leaders.  Edgar "Sonny" Campbell, that group's leader, said Williams won by a vote of 14-5.

"He's got a proven record of delivering for constituents in this city," Campbell said of Williams. "And he's got the ability, from his history in Harrisburg, to negotiate for a lot of things the city is going to need from the state."

The so-called "racial math" -- black voters support black candidates, white voters support white candidates -- of the May 19 Democratic primary election for mayor was shaken up three weeks ago when a group of black elected officials and ward leaders known as the Northwest Coalition endorsed Kenney for Mayor.

Williams responded last week by marshaling his own groups of black elected and former elected officials to tout his campaign.

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