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Philadelphia mayoral candidates court church crowd

Democratic candidates for mayor in Tuesday's primary election took their pitches to the pulpits on Sunday, seeking the support of the party faithful.

Democratic candidates for mayor in Tuesday's primary election took their pitches to the pulpits on Sunday, seeking the support of the party faithful.

Those pitches were framed by race and the struggle for civil rights - in very different ways - by two of the six Democrats in the race.

Former Councilman Jim Kenney urged churchgoers to be voters in honor of those who suffered for the right to cast ballots.

State Sen. Anthony H. Williams and his supporters took an even more impassioned approach at a "righteous rally" at Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church in Nicetown.

From the pulpit they railed against a poll last week - sponsored by The Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, Philly.com, and NBC10, - which showed Kenney with a commanding lead.

Pastor William B. Moore of the 10th Memorial Baptist Church called on the crowd to pray and vote for Williams, comparing the race to the Civil Rights era struggle in Selma, Ala.

"They already called the election, but it ain't over till it's over," Moore said.

U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah also decried the poll, insisting that Williams has support "in every corner of our city."

"Now, there's a big decision moment on Tuesday, and there's some people who are trying to play a trick and act as if the game is over," Fattah said.

Pastor Steven Avinger Sr., the rally's host, praised Williams' record and questioned why his support is not stronger.

"It's strange that our folks are so lethargic and seem to be unengaged with this critical time for us in the city of Philadelphia," Avinger said. "It is a turning point."

Williams stressed his political independence and his record in the state House and Senate.

"I've done the work," he said. "I've earned my moment. And, by the way, I will accept the grade."

Kenney made two church stops, attending services at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cedarbrook and then speaking at the Living Water United Church of Christ in Oxford Circle.

Kenney was joined at his second church stop by City Councilwoman Marian Tasco, one of several African American politicians who have endorsed his bid for mayor.

He said Tasco taught him "many things and nuances about many neighborhoods in our city."

Kenney spoke of the need to address poverty, saying city residents need blue-collar jobs like those offered at the port, where dock workers can make $40 to $50 per hour.

Kenney also shared with the congregants his surprise when he asked a company that maintains city facilities what it does to offer jobs to those being released from prison. The company told him the city contract prohibited that.

"I said, 'You must be kidding me,' " Kenney said, vowing to change that as mayor. "That's ridiculous."

Kenney pledged to listen to the city's clergy if elected mayor. He also promised that, instead of the traditional postelection celebration lunch at the Palm Restaurant in Center City, he would host a fund-raiser Wednesday for Broad Street Ministry, which offers the homeless meals and other services one block away on South Broad Street.

Kenney urged voters to turn out on Tuesday. He said not voting was an insult to African Americans who fought for the right to cast a ballot.

"It's insulting to the people who were killed, lynched, heads cracked open, water cannons, dogs, arrests, all that stuff that people put themselves through to be full Americans - and we don't vote," Kenney said. "That's really kind of sad."

Former District Attorney Lynne Abraham spent the morning at the Impacting Your World Christian Center in Germantown and later attended campaign fund-raisers.

Former PGW executive Doug Oliver also visited the church in Germantown, along with three other houses of worship.

Former Common Pleas Court Judge Nelson Diaz held a get-out-the-vote rally for supporters in Fairhill with Federico Pena, who served as U.S. Secretary for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy during the Clinton administration.

Former state Sen. T. Milton Street Sr. spent the day with volunteers passing out campaign literature door-to-door.

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@byChrisBrennan