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Amen Brown
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 5, 2021 (2021-01-05)[1]
Preceded byG. Roni Green
Constituency190th District (2021-2022)
10th District (2023-present)
Personal details
Bornc. 1987
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
EducationCommunity College of Philadelphia

Amen R. Brown[2] (born c. 1987[3]) is an American politician. He is a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 10th District since 2023.[4] Brown previously represented the 190th District from 2021 to 2022 before redistricting moved him to the 10th District.

Early life and education

[edit]

Brown was born and raised in West Philadelphia.[5] He grew up in a single parent household with his eight siblings.[3] His mother was addicted to drugs and his father was incarcerated.[6] At age 12, a gunman shot him and a friend in the back near his family home at 56th and Market.[7] A bullet fragment would remain lodged between his ribs into his adult life.[8] In high school, Brown was arrested during a police raid at a corner store. He was in jail for 45 days before the charges of felony drug-dealing were dropped.[7]

After graduating from Overbrook High School, in 2006, he attended the Community College of Philadelphia with the intention of becoming a school principal.[9] He left college early to pursue his business career.[7]

Business career

[edit]

At age 22, Brown co-founded the Education Nation Learning Academy, a child care facility in Frankford. A few years later, he opened a second facility. Brown left the partnership and founded the Overbrook Beacon Community Center in Overbrook.[7]

He has also worked as the coordinator for the University of Pennsylvania Sayre Community School Beacon.[10]

Political career

[edit]

In March 2019, Brown ran in the special election held to fill the 190th state house seat vacated after Vanessa L. Brown resigned.[11] He ran as a member of the Amen Brown Party and won 20% of the vote in a four-way race, losing to Democrat Movita Johnson-Harrell.[12]

State representative

[edit]

In June 2020, Brown ran as a Democrat, defeating incumbent G. Roni Green in the Democratic primary, winning by just 600 votes. He campaigned during the COVID-19 pandemic by delivering masks and hand sanitizer.[13]

Brown was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in November 2020, winning 95% of the vote and defeating Republican Wanda Logan.[14][15]

Following redistricting in 2021, Brown successfully ran for the 10th District seat in 2022.[16] This was despite an attempt to have Brown removed from the primary ballot after it was revealed Brown failed to properly fill out a required list of financial interests.[13] Brown's name was allowed to remain on the ballot, though a judge did chastise Brown for displaying “an ignorance and shocking lack of care of the law.”[17] Brown faced a similar challenge to his candidacy again in 2024.[18]

2023 Philadelphia mayoral election

[edit]
Main article: 2023 Philadelphia mayoral election

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on December 5, 2022, Brown was planning to declare his candidacy as a Democratic candidate for the 2023 Philadelphia mayoral election.[19] He announced his candidacy on December 16, 2022.[20] His platform centered around fighting crime and improving the city's standard of living.[13] In March 2023, the validity of Brown's candidacy was challenged. Attorney Kevin Greenberg challenged Brown's candidacy on the basis that some 2,700 signatures on Brown's nominating petitions were allegedly fraudulent. Greenberg additionally said omissions in Brown's financial statements should also disqualify him from the race. Brown himself claimed the challenge was a "smear tactic" arranged by fellow candidate Jeff Brown (no relation to Brown).[21] Greenberg worked for Jeff Brown, and several individuals who reviewed Brown's nominating petitions had ties to Jeff Brown's campaign. Around 2,000 signatures on Brown's nominating petitions were thrown out, but he was still left with the required minimum to remain on the ballot.[22] A judge also allowed Brown to refile his financial statement and remain on the ballot.[23]

Brown kept a low profile during the mayoral race; skipping several forums where most other candidates were present.[21] He was considered a "longshot" candidate.[24] Because of his laxed campaign and larger absence from party functions, Bob Brady, the chair of Philadelphia's Democratic Party, removed Brown as 60th Ward Leader and installed a temporary replacement.[25][26] Brown ultimately came in sixth in the primary with just over 3,000 votes, or 1.3%.[27]

Political positions

[edit]

The Philadelphia Inquirer has labeled Brown as a "centrist" or "moderate" Democrat.[28][29] Philadelphia magazine called Brown "[t]he closest thing Philly has to an Eric Adams."[30]

Criminal justice and policing

[edit]

The Philadelphia Inquirer described Brown as "unabashedly pro-law enforcement."[31]

According to Axios, Brown is known for being hard on crime, and has pushed for mandatory minimum sentences.[32] In 2021, Brown was the primary sponsor for a bill increasing Pennsylvania's mandatory minimum sentences for individuals with a prior record who are arrested for gun-related offenses. Under Pennsylvania law, the mandatory minimum would be two years; Brown's bill would increase it to ten years.[33] Originally boasting a bipartisan slate of sponsors, all co-sponsoring Democrats (except for Representative Frank Burns) later dropped their support of Brown's bill. The bill passed the State House's judiciary committee,[34] but never was put to a vote in the State House proper.[35]

Brown has argued for more policing to "provide much needed support in Philadelphia in addressing [the] gun violence crisis." He called on Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf to deploy the Pennsylvania National Guard to help police the streets of Philadelphia.[36]

Despite supporting Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's view on criminal justice reform,[37] Brown has been "deeply critical" of him, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.[31] Specifically Brown has criticized Krasner for not thoroughly prosecuting repeat offenders. In 2022, Brown voted against the creation of a State House select committee designed to investigate Krasner's potential impeachment, but later accepted a seat on the committee.[37] Brown did vote to find Krasner in contempt for failing to comply with a committee subpoena,[38] but was absent when the House impeached Krasner.[29] He later said he was "on the fence" whether Krasner should be removed from office.[39] When asked at a 2023 Philadelphia mayoral debate, Brown replied in the negative when asked if Krasner's policies made Philadelphia safe.[40]

Following the 2023 killing of Temple University police officer Christopher Fitzgerald, a cousin of Brown's,[41] he introduced a bill to mandate officers in high-crime areas have partners and better body armor.[42] Fitzgerald's father, Joel Fitzgerald, a former Philadelphia police officer and former Allentown, Pennsylvania police chief,[43] was the primary architect of Brown's public safety plan when he ran for Mayor of Philadelphia.[44]

Brown supports a ski-mask ban in Philadelphia.[45] When running for mayor, his platform prioritized the creation of a social media task force to monitor gang activity.[46] Brown supports the involuntary removal of panhandlers from business fronts.[47]

Education

[edit]

Brown supports charter school.[13] PACs linked to Jeff Yass, a businessman, who supports school choice, have given Brown at least $62,500 since the start of 2021, which is roughly 40% of his total donations of his state house campaign in that same time period.[48] Brown was the only Democrat in the State House to vote for a bill that would have created a voucher program for children attending schools that have low cumulative test scores,[29] though he later had his vote reversed.[49] During a 2023 Philadelphia mayoral debate, Brown voiced the idea of replacing the elected Philadelphia school board with an appointed one. He credited the existing board with causing poor conditions in schools.[50]

Illegal dirt bikes and ATVs

[edit]

He has been outspoken in his opposition to illegal dirt bikes and ATVs on the streets of Philadelphia.[51] He has said that they terrorize pedestrians, drive recklessly and cause noise pollution. Brown has called for legislation to be passed that will permit the police to capture and destroy illegal dirt bikes.[51] He supports developing vacant land into a suitable area for dirt bike and ATV use.[52]

LGTBQ+ issues

[edit]

Brown voted against a bill in the State House that would have prohibited transgender athletes from participating in the sport of their identifying gender.[53]

Brown also voted against legislation that would require transgender youth to use the bathrooms of their assigned gender. He has also expressed support for gender affirming care conducted at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.[54]

In a show of support for drag queens, Brown and several other 2023 Philadelphia mayoral candidates participated in a photo-op with Philadelphia drag performers.[55]

Personal life

[edit]

Brown has two children.[56]

Financial issues

[edit]

In 2014, Brown was implicated in deed fraud when he purchased a property at 2312 Reed Street for $15,000 cash from owner Norman Johnson who had been deceased for over a decade. Johnson's rightful heirs reacquired the property in court after a judge nullified the forged deed.[57] He faced criminal charges, which were eventually dropped.[13] Brown defended his actions saying he was a victim of a Craigslist scam.[57]

A year later, Brown was sued for $26,000 in a breach of contract lawsuit. Brown signed a contract to renovate a house in North Philadelphia but "completely failed to perform certain aspects of the work or performed the work negligently" according to the lawsuit.[57] In 2021, the City of Philadelphia sued Brown for $30,000 in unpaid taxes and liens.[13]

In a 2023 article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jeffrey Brooks Jr., a former business associate of Brown, accused him of only paying back $23,000 of a $50,000 loan.[13]

Electoral history

[edit]
2019 Pennsylvania House of Representatives special election, District 190[58]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Movita Johnson-Harrell 3,188 66.61
Amen Brown Party Amen Brown 958 20.02
Working Families Pamela K. Williams 511 10.68
Republican Michael Harvey 129 2.70
Total votes 4,786 100.00
2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Democratic primary election, District 190[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Amen Brown 5,996 43.03
Democratic G. Roni Green (incumbent) 5,406 38.79
Democratic Danyl Patterson 1,843 13.23
Democratic Van Stone 662 4.75
Write-in 28 0.20
Total votes 13,935 100.00
2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 190[60]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Amen Brown 27,869 94.58
Republican Wanda Logan 1,555 5.28
Write-in 42 0.14
Total votes 29,466 100.00
2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Democratic primary election, District 10[61]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Amen Brown 3,064 39.85
Democratic Cass Green 2,881 37.47
Democratic Sajda Blackwell 1,714 22.29
Write-in 30 0.39
Total votes 7,689 100.00
2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 10[62]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Amen Brown 15,874 99.02
Write-in 157 0.98
Total votes 16,031 100.00
2023 Philadelphia mayoral Democratic primary election[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Cherelle Parker 81,080 32.65
Democratic Rebecca Rhynhart 56,581 22.78
Democratic Helen Gym 54,705 22.03
Democratic Allan Domb 28,051 11.30
Democratic Jeff Brown 21,868 8.81
Democratic Amen Brown 3,321 1.34
Democratic James DeLeon 1,488 0.60
Democratic Delscia Gray 582 0.23
Democratic Warren Bloom 499 0.20
Write-in 163 0.07
Total votes 248,288 100.00
2024 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Democratic primary election, District 10[63]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Amen Brown (incumbent) 2,991 40.10
Democratic Cass Green 2,947 39.51
Democratic Sajda Blackwell 1,496 20.06
Write-in 25 0.34
Total votes 7,459 100.00
2024 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 10[64]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Amen Brown (incumbent) 22,919 98.73
Write-in 294 1.27
Total votes 23,213 100.00

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "SESSION OF 2021 205TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 1" (PDF). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania General Assembly. January 5, 2021. pp. 2, 4–6. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Candidate Information - Brown, Amen R." Pennsylvania Department of State. February 9, 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b Levy, Jordan (December 14, 2022). "What to know about Amen Brown, the state rep running for Philly mayor". Billy Penn. WHYY. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Representative Amen Brown". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  5. ^ "Rep. Amen Brown's Biography". Pennsylvania House Democrats. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  6. ^ Waring, Tom (2022-10-25). "Oh explores mayoral race". Northeast Times. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
  7. ^ a b c d Armstrong, Jenice. "May I please get an 'amen' for Amen Brown, poised to win this House seat in West Philly? | Jenice Armstrong". Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  8. ^ Loeb, Pat (April 25, 2023). "Amen Brown". Who's Running for Philly Mayor? (Podcast). Audacy, Inc. Event occurs at 1:42-1:53. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Amen Brown". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  10. ^ "Amen Brown". LinkedIn. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  11. ^ Michael D’Onofrio. "Rundown of candidates in Tuesday's 190th district special election". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  12. ^ "March 2019 Special Election Results Announced". www.philadelphiavotes.com. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g "Philly mayoral candidate Amen Brown's business dealings left a trail of debt, lawsuits, and jilted partners". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  14. ^ "Philadelphia Vote Shows Winners, Losers as Monster Vote Count Nears End | Philadelphia Public Record". Archived from the original on 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  15. ^ Roebuck, Jeremy. "Pennsylvania Supreme Court tosses GOP congressman's suit seeking to throw out all ballots cast by mail". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  16. ^ Allen, Taylor (April 15, 2022). "Pennsylvania Rep. Amen Brown gets to stay on the primary ballot". Axios Philadelphia. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  17. ^ Brennan, Chris; Marin, Max (March 14, 2023). "Dozens of Philly candidates face legal battles ahead of May primary". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  18. ^ Cole, John (February 22, 2024). "Here are the Pennsylvania candidates whose nominating petitions have been challenged". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  19. ^ Orso, Anna (December 5, 2022). "At Pennsylvania Society, a mayoral candidate emerges from a smoke-filled room and Republicans rethink mail ballot rhetoric". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  20. ^ Orso, Anna (December 17, 2022). "And then there were nine: With Amen Brown officially in, the Philly mayoral field could be the largest in years". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  21. ^ a b Loeb, Pat (March 17, 2023). "Amen Brown fights back a challenge to his Philadelphia mayoral nominating petition". KYW Newsradio. Audacy, Inc. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  22. ^ Terruso, Julia (March 28, 2023). "Amen Brown has survived another ballot challenge. But the judge also cited 'serious concerns' about his financial disclosures". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  23. ^ Loeb, Pat (March 28, 2023). "State Rep. Amen Brown to stay on Democratic primary ballot as candidate for mayor of Philadelphia". KYW Newsradio. Audacy, Inc. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  24. ^ Krieg, Gregory (May 16, 2023). "Philadelphia Democrats poised to make history in expensive mayoral race". The Atlanta Voice. CNN. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  25. ^ Brennan, Chris (June 2, 2023). "Johnny Doc, out at Local 98, now wants to oust his hand-picked successor; Amen Brown's ward fight". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  26. ^ Brennan, Chris (May 15, 2023). "Amen Brown's future as 60th Ward leader is being called into question". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Mayor". Philadelphia Election Results. Philadelphia City Commissioners. May 30, 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  28. ^ Walsh, Sean Collins (January 19, 2023). "Race to City Hall". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  29. ^ a b c Orso, Anna (January 26, 2023). "Who is Amen Brown, the state representative running for Philadelphia mayor?". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  30. ^ Philly Mag Staff (March 27, 2023). "Philadelphia Mayoral Candidate Guide: Amen Brown". Philadelphia. Metro Corp. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  31. ^ a b Orso, Anna; Walsh, Sean Collins; Seidman, Andrew; Brennan, Chris; Jones, Layla A.; Marin, Max; Lai, Jonathan; Myers, Michelle; Savage, Henry (April 4, 2023). "The 2023 Democratic Primary Voters Guide". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  32. ^ Allen, Taylor (April 15, 2022). "Pennsylvania Rep. Amen Brown gets to stay on the primary ballot". Axios Philadelphia. Axios Media. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  33. ^ Meyer, Katie (June 15, 2021). "A West Philly Dem is going tough on crime. Progressives say his bill is 'terrifyingly awful'". WHYY-FM. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  34. ^ Meyer, Katie (July 9, 2021). "After pushback, a widely criticized mandatory minimum bill is on hold". WHYY-FM. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  35. ^ "Bill Information (History) - House Bill 1587; Regular Session 2021-2022". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  36. ^ "Brown wants Gov. Tom Wolf to send Pa. National Guard to Philadelphia". Rep. Amen Brown. PA House Democrats. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  37. ^ a b Rushing, Ellie (July 13, 2022). "Committee to investigate DA Larry Krasner's office has been selected, and work will now begin". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  38. ^ Lee, Antionette (December 16, 2022). "'Are y'all ready?' Amen Brown makes Philly mayor bid, promises to prioritize public safety". KYW Newsradio. Audacy, Inc. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  39. ^ Brown, Amen (May 3, 2023). "An Interview With Amen Brown, Candidate for Philly Mayor: Battleground Politics". NBC10 Philadelphia (Interview). Interviewed by Lauren Mayk. NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  40. ^ Vadala, Nick (April 11, 2023). "Candidates asked if D.A. Krasner's policies make city safe". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  41. ^ State Rep. Amen Brown speaks at Officer Christopher Fitzgerald's funeral. CBS Philadelphia. February 24, 2023. Event occurs at 2:06. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  42. ^ Gerard, Amber (February 28, 2023). "Pennsylvania state rep proposes new bill to better protect police officers". WGAL News 8 Local. Hearst Television Inc. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  43. ^ "Temple University police officer shot and killed was former Allentown chief's son; suspect in custody". The Trentonian. MediaNews Group. The Associated Press. February 19, 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  44. ^ Gregg, Cherri; Wolfman-Arent, Avi (April 27, 2023). "Mayoral Candidate Amen Brown, Ranked Choice Voting, Studio 2 Trivia". Studio 2 (Podcast). WHYY-FM. Event occurs at 7:10-7:35. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  45. ^ Loeb, Pat (April 25, 2023). "Amen Brown: 'I took the hits for you. I lived that rough life.'". KYW Newsradio. Audacy, Inc. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  46. ^ Prihar, Asha; Levy, Jordan; Rinde, Meir; Mohsen, Ali (May 5, 2023). "Procrastinator's Guide to the 2023 primary election in Philly". Billy Penn. WHYY-FM. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  47. ^ Mosbrucker, Kristen (May 12, 2023). "Where do Philly mayoral candidates stand on business and economic development?". WHYY-FM. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  48. ^ "Pa.'s richest person has spent at least $18 million on the 2022 primary — mostly to influence one issue". Spotlight PA. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
  49. ^ "SESSION OF 2022 206TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 19" (PDF). Legislative Journal - House. April 27, 2022. p. 19. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  50. ^ FOX 29 Staff (April 12, 2023). "Philadelphia's Next Mayor: Candidates vied for spot as race frontrunner in televised debate". Fox 29 Philadelphia. Retrieved 14 April 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  51. ^ a b "Pa. State Rep. aims to end illegal dirt bike, ATV riding in Philadelphia". 6 ABC. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  52. ^ Hunt, Kristin (April 21, 2023). "Philadelphia candidates for mayor in 2023: Amen Brown". PhillyVoice. WWB Holdings, LLC. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  53. ^ Rodriguez, Jeremy (May 1, 2023). "LGBTQ+ Voter's Guide: The fight for Philadelphia Mayor. The issues, the candidates". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  54. ^ Rodriguez, Jeremy (March 12, 2023). "Where do Philly's mayoral candidates stand on LGBTQ issues? | Analysis". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  55. ^ Rodriguez, Jeremy (March 25, 2023). "Philly's mayoral candidates stand up for city's drag community". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  56. ^ Brown, Amen [@RepAmenBrown] (May 25, 2022). "I have two young elementary school children. Parents today asked me what I was going to do. We have to come together to solve the #gunviolence. @PaHouseGOP please hear us, sit down with us, and let's come up with real solutions. Mass shootings plague us all" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  57. ^ a b c Marin, Max. "West Philly state Rep. Amen Brown implicated in deed fraud, other lawsuits". Billy Penn. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  58. ^ "2019 Special Election 190th Legislative District". electionreturns.pa.gov. Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  59. ^ "State Rep". Philadelphia Election Results. Office of Philadelphia City Commissioners. July 10, 2020. Archived from the original on July 12, 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  60. ^ "State Rep". Philadelphia Election Results. Office of the Philadelphia City Commissioners. November 17, 2020. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  61. ^ "State Rep". Philadelphia Election Results. Office of the Philadelphia City Commissioners. May 31, 2022. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  62. ^ "State Rep". Philadelphia Election Results. Office of the Philadelphia City Commissioners. November 27, 2022. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  63. ^ "State Rep". Philadelphia Election Results. Philadelphia City Commissioners. May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  64. ^ "State Rep". Philadelphia Election Results. Philadelphia City Commissioners. November 22, 2024. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 190th district
2021–2022 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 10th district
2023–present 		Incumbent
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