BOB BRADY

New: Read Brady's Workforce Development plan

Read Brady's School Police Deployment plan

Read Brady's plan for improving the city's emergency response system

Read Brady's plan for Improving our Schools

Read Brady's plan for breaking the cycle of recidivism

Read Brady's Housing plan

Read Brady's Energy and Sustainability Plan

Read Brady's after-school plan

Read Brady's arts plan

Read Brady's amended financial disclosure

See list of Brady's endorsements

Read Brady's press releases

Age: 62

Job: Congressman

So far in the race: The resilient pol survived a tough ballot challenge after he left information about a city pension off his financial disclosures; also endured an embarrasing flap over a Congressional aide who approached a local PR operative to run an off-the-books attack of Tom Knox. (Brady quickly fired the aide.) Brady's poll numbers have climbed through his shorter-than-other-candidates campaign, helped by his broad political relationships and a series of ads that portray him as tough on crime and sensitive to the struggles of working people. He has amassed a number of significant union endorsements, including the police and firefighter unions, and that of District Attorney Lynne Abraham.

Campaign cash on hand: Brady raised a total of $2,392,265 for his mayoral campaign, including $1,978,040 in the first three months of this year. As of April 30, Brady had $386,00 left to spend.

Marital Status: Wife Debbie and has two grown children from a previous marriage.

Bragging rights: The eight-year congressman and city Democratic chairman is famed for his mediation skills, his broad popularity among political insiders and an abilty to bridge's the city's racial divide. When SEPTA threatens a strike or two politicians are warring, Brady can always smooth things over.

Downsides: Not known as much of a policy wonk.

Friends and enemies: Many count Brady as a pal, but he’s particularly close to State Sen. Vince Fumo, former Controller Jonathan Saidel, Ward leader Carol Campbell and union bosses Edward Coryell and Frank Gillen. His biggest enemy is volatile Electricians union boss John Dougherty.

-- Catherine Lucey and staff reports