There are two questions I have either been asked or heard every day since entering this race: “Who is Doug Oliver?” and “Why is Doug Oliver running for Mayor?” Answer one question, and you have the answer to the other. I’m a Philly guy; an example of what is possible when a kid from Germantown is given a shot and the support to make something of his life in spite of the odds. I believe great things are possible for this city, if given a shot and provided with the support of the right vision, the right plan and the right leadership. I have the vision. I have the plan. I am the right leader for the future of this great city.

That’s my main reason for running for Mayor. But there are more than 850,000 other reasons why I’m asking for your vote on May 19th. That’s how many registered voters stayed at home in the last mayoral election. I can relate. While I respect my opponents’ combined century’s worth of elected experience and I do believe longevity has its place, a look around our city has provided me with all the motivation I need to throw my hat in the ring; a young, untested, under-funded, un-chosen outlier just bold enough to believe I have what it takes to make a difference.

This campaign is based on a single belief: Show me a neighborhood or a city that offers its residents high quality education, stable job opportunities and a commitment to providing all of its residents an equitable opportunity to thrive, I’ll show you a place that is safe and able to support basic city needs. I believe this is possible for Philadelphia.

I believe city agencies should focus on ensuring that every child is a successful child, dedicating resources to supporting families so that they can send whole students to our city’s schools. I believe who controls our schools and how we fund schools is irrelevant if the curriculum we teach in schools doesn’t reflect the cultural diversity of our entire city or properly prepare our students to compete in a 21st Century economy.

I believe we must expand economic growth so that it benefits small businesses by creating public/private partnerships in support of neighborhood-based Main Street corridor development. I also believe we must create a culture that encourages and supports entrepreneurship and innovation and takes advantage of the strength of our “Eds & Meds” institutions to retain the best and the brightest minds.

But most importantly, I believe that a successful city is one where each resident gets a fair shot to take part in that success, where no one stands in fear and where each person is treated with respect.

I cannot do this without you. On May 19th, I ask that you give this kid from Germantown another shot. Vote Doug Oliver for Mayor, and let’s change this city together.