Upper Darby mayoral election 2023: Ed Brown and Laura Wentz

Brown believes his 4-year plan, 5-point agenda is best for Upper Darby

Brown offers a four-year plan to increase fiscal responsibility in Upper Darby that he said will put  the township on “sound footing to have stability and viability for the future.” He also touted a five-point agenda on items that he will focus on if elected mayor.

“I want to ensure quality and efficient municipal services to address the needs of the community. I want to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing. I want to establish safe and attractive neighborhoods. I want to enhance the resources for individuals, families and community growth. And I want to create economic growth by investing in the business sector,” Brown said.

Brown also wants to “lower the volume” and change the current perception of Upper Darby government, which has dealt with a public feud dating back to more than a year ago over the township’s handling of millions of American Rescue Plan Act funds.

“There has been a lot of vitriol and back and forth with different groups. And I want to build consensus and collaboration amongst all of the groups because everyone has a voice and I think it’s just a matter of passion. Upper Darby is a very passionate municipality, and I want to harness that. I want to try to use that for good and not have people be angry with each other when they don’t agree, because I think we ultimately all want the same thing,” Brown said.

Township government has been roughly split between two factions for more than a year. On one side there is Burke, Wentz, and Democrat Matt Silva and three Republican council members.

Keffer’s administration drew the support of the remaining five Democratic council members.

In the end, the Upper Darby Democratic Committee promised to ensure Burke, Wentz, and Silva “do not hold elected office as Democrats again” in the township, citing their position in the ARPA fund controversy.

While Burke ultimately switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 2022, Wentz remained a Democrat and decided to run for mayor without the support of the party.

“My values are that of a Democrat. My values did not change at any point in time between 2020, 2021, 2022. The only thing that changed is that the administration was not, in my opinion, doing what they said they were going to do,” Wentz said.

Both candidates have a solid relationship with one another

Wentz said her administration would make sure that people across township government know that their voices matter.

“Everyone has a different approach on how they want to accomplish the goal. Right? But it doesn’t mean we’re not going to still work together. I think it’s essential to work with everyone. And that’s why I think everyone’s voice matters and that they need to be valued,” Wentz said.

Brown says he has a good relationship with both Burke and Wentz. Brown said that if elected mayor, he would continue to work with them to build Upper Darby to where it needs to be.

He called his mayoral run a “very humbling” experience. He said his campaign has received support from community members on both sides of the political aisle.

“They feel like I have something to offer, and I think I’ve demonstrated that, and that’s how I want to be judged when I’m mayor. I want to be judged by doing what I say I’m going to do and providing a government that when people look at it, they can see themselves,” Brown said.