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First-term state Rep. Kenyatta Johnson is opposite Point Breeze community activists Timothy Hannah and Dyheim Watson on the ballot in the 186th District. The victor will face Republican Keith Todd in November. The district stretches from South to Southwest Philly including parts of Bella Vista, Grays Ferry, Hawthorne, Newbold, Passyunk Square, Point Breeze, South of South and West Passyunk neighborhoods. Each state representative is elected to a two-year term.
Hannah grew up near 27th and Wharton streets as the only child of mother Lorraine before attending Lincoln University where he received a degree in therapeutic recreation and education. He began further studies for a master’s in English education at Beaver College — now Arcadia University, but did not complete the degree.
A community activist for 23 years and public school educator for 17, Hannah has provided youth with life skills in Point Breeze in addition to those attending South Philly High School, 2101 S. Broad St., Edward Bok High School, 1901 S. Ninth St., and Walter G. Smith School, 1900 Wharton St.
Hannah also has dabbled in politics running against U.S. Rep. Bob Brady in the 2000 1st District U.S. Congressional race and working in former 186th District state Rep. Harold James’ office.
“I wanted to continue on with my work,” the 49-year-old said. “Politics is a way to give programs back to the community. While running for congress and then working out of a former state representative office, I was able to understand how to make our community much better.”
He plans to improve schools, provide safer communities, create more jobs and establish affordable housing, he said.
“I will work hard for our people and my door will be open,” Hannah said.
Johnson, 36, grew up at 18th and Dickinson streets and still resides in the area. A graduate of George W. Childs Elementary School, 1541 S. 17th St., Norris S. Barratt Middle School, 1599 Wharton St., and Bok, he has remained active in the community as a board member at the Barrett Education Center, 24th and Wharton streets, and the Christian Street YMCA, 1724 Christian St.
Johnson earned his bachelor’s in Criminal Justice at Mansfield University and a master’s at the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government.
He served as community outreach liaison for 8th District state Sen. Anthony H. Williams from 2002 to ’08. In 1998, he formed Peace Not Guns after the fatal shooting of his cousin and has continued to promote peace as a legislator with the creation of the Peace Not Guns legislative caucus.
“I created the young leaders and government leadership program, which I’m extremely proud of, and hosted the first ever youth Town Hall meeting against gun violence at South Philly High,” he said.
Aside from addressing gun violence, Johnson wants to provide funding for after-school programs and to combat unemployment with the jobs and career task force he crafted, he said.
“The task force’s mission is to collaborate and build partnerships with other job and career development organizations to serve as a pipeline to address the issue of unemployment.”
Johnson currently serves on the aging and older adult services, children and youth, commerce, urban affairs and the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation committees.
For more information, visit www.pahouse.com/johnson.
Watson, 30, resides near 18th and Reed streets with wife Marsha and their three children Ashley, 10, Dyheim Jr., 5, and Amber, 4. The alum of Chester A. Arthur Elementary, 2000 Catharine St., and William S. Pierce Middle School, 24th and Christian streets, has been the senior pastor of New Life Christian Fellowship Church in North Philly and Chester for the past six years. Prior to that, he was a Department of Health case manager in Delaware County. He earned his bachelor’s in political science from Eastern University and attended Faith Bible Seminary in Missouri.
“I run on the theme: I know how to serve,” the18th-and-Bainbridge-street native said. “I’ve been serving people for the past 15 years in the church not only locally — I’ve served in several countries internationally.”
Watson has been active in the community for the past 10 years creating save haven programs for local children as well as hosting leadership workshops overseas in countries such as Kenya, Mexico and Uganda. He served a year stationed in Missouri for the Army. This is his second time running, as two years ago, he was removed from the ballot for a lack of signatures.
“My main platforms are definitely advocating for affordable housing in the community, making sure the residents of South Philly are informed with what’s going on and have the opportunity to preserve their homes and be able to afford them,” he said.
Additionally, he hopes to fund more early childhood programs, improve senior citizens quality of life and increase jobs with fair wages, he said.
Taking on the Democratic nominee in November, is Todd of 22nd and Fitzwater streets. He and his brother Del were raised by parents, Jill and the late Delbert of Berlin, N.J. He moved to the city in 1996, but after a few years of residing in Center City, Todd relocated to 18th and South streets prior to moving to his current residence six years ago.
Todd has always enjoyed serving people he said. Starting as a dishwasher in the restaurant business at age 18, he worked his way up to floor supervisor. He also aims to serve those in his neighborhood.
What started off a few neighbors joining forces after the 2008 election turned into the 30th Ward Republican Volunteer Committee that the 41-year-old formed.
“I decided to take matters into my own hands to improve the neighborhood and the city,” he said of the committee’s creation.
Todd saw problems in his community when it came to taxes, education and other issues, so when he found out that there had not been a Republican on the ballot in the 186th District since 2004, he threw his name in the mix.
Todd wants to provide quality housing including maintaining older buildings owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority in addition to ensuring that tax dollars put toward education follow the students.
“Our schools are not putting the child first it seems,” he said. “When it comes to spending, our children are not being put first,” he said.
For more information, visit http://joinkeithtodd.com.
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