Former acting Philadelphia City Controller Christy Brady officially launched her candidacy for City Controller earlier this morning, Feb. 7, at Sprinkler Fitter Union Hall at Local 692 union in Northeast Philly. 

Brady’s announcement comes after resigning on Friday, Feb. 3 without giving any intention to run. The decision was first made public Thursday afternoon, Feb. 2. 

“It has been a great honor to serve the city and its residents as an employee of the office for almost three decades,” Brady said in her resignation statement. “I will never stop working to promote transparency in government and to ensure an effective and fully accountable city government.”

This follows a near three-month stint as City Controller after Mayor Jim Kenney appointed her in November 2022, following Rebecca Rhynhart’s resignation in October, when she decided to run for Mayor. 

Kenney recently appointed a new acting City Controller for the second time in less than four months and the city’s third. Charles Edacheril will be the new acting controller, and most recently was deputy controller of audit, and has worked in the office for 17 years.

“I am honored to accept this appointment and thank Mayor Jim Kenney and his Administration for the opportunity to lead this office,” Edacheril said in a statement.

Brady, who has worked behind the scenes at the City Controller’s office for over 30 years, is the fourth candidate in a pool featuring enterprise risk management professional Karen Javaruski, activist and former congressional candidate Alexandra Hunt, and realtor Gregg Kravitz.

She remained silent about a possible run after she had consulted with the city’s Law Department in December regarding the applicability of the “resign to run” rule for her. 

The City Charter policy requires city workers to resign first before seeking elected office but makes an exception for officials running for reelection. 

However, Brady was appointed, not elected. In January, Common Pleas Court Judge Anne Marie Coyle rejected Brady’s request to treat her like an incumbent running for reelection. 

The longtime official also brings some significant support along with her. 

Former candidate Jack Inacker dropped out of the race Wednesday morning, Feb. 2 after Brady received overwhelming support from a Democratic City Committee panel. 

“Their confidence in me reaffirms my ability to perform the duties of the position at the highest level while determining the next steps on how I can best serve the city,” she said following the panel. 

Following a primary on May 16, and a general election, the new appointee will serve the remainder of Rhynhart’s term that is set to end in 2026.

With the primary in over three months, candidates can begin passing on nominating petitions to secure a spot on the ballot on Feb. 14., with petitions due by March 7.