Stefan Roots | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Thaddeus Kirkland |
| Member of the Chester City Council from the At-Large District | |
| In office January 3, 2022 – January 3, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | William Jacobs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Villanova University |
| Occupation | Electrical engineer, politician, blogger |
Stefan Roots is an American politician currently serving as the Democratic mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania, since January 3, 2024. He defeated the incumbent Thaddeus Kirkland in the May 2023 Democratic mayoral primary and Anita J. Littleton in the November 2023 general election. He previously served as a member of the Chester City Council from 2022 to 2024.
Education and professional career
Roots was born in Chester to a 15-year old single mother.[1] He attended Archmere Academy in Wilmington, Delaware and graduated from Chester High School. He received a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Villanova University.[2]
He worked in engineering, marketing and sales roles for Philadelphia Gas Works, IBM, MCI and the Delaware County Daily Times. He also worked in industrial operations for Sunoco, Praxair and DELCORA.[2]
He served as a director on several boards including the Delaware County Interactive Gaming Revenue Authority,[3] the Delaware County Historical Society[2] and the Chester Education Foundation.[4]
In 2006, he published a monthly paper Chester Spotlight which in 2010 evolved into the blog Chester Matters. In 2012, he published a book titled Toxic Man - the Melvin Wade Story.[2]
Political career
Roots defeated William Jacobs in the Chester city council Democratic primary in May 2021.[5] In January 2022, Roots was elected to Chester City Council and served as Director of Public Property and Recreation.[2]
In May 2023, Roots defeated the two term incumbent mayor Thaddeus Kirkland in the Chester Democratic mayoral primary election[6][7] by nearly twice the vote.[8] There was no Republican opponent, and Roots defeated independent candidate Anita J. Littleton[9] in the November 2023 general election.[10] He was sworn into office on January 3, 2024.[11]
Personal life
He is engaged to Marceline Andrews and has five children and five grandchildren.[12]
References
- ↑ Dehuff, Jenny. "UpRooted: How establishment Dems lost their stronghold in the city of Chester". www.broadandliberty.com. Broad & Liberty. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Councilman Stefan Roots - Director of Public Safety". www.chestercity.com. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ↑ "Board Members - Delaware County Interactive Gaming Revenue Authority". www.dcigra.org. Delaware County Interactive Revenue Gaming Authority. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ↑ "Board of Directors - Chester Education Foundation". www.chestereducation.org. Chester Education Foundation. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ↑ Carey, Kathleen E. "Roots win council nomination in Chester upset". www.delcotimes.com. MediaNews Group. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ↑ "Chester mayoral candidate strives to turn around beleagured city". www.fox29.com. FOX29. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ↑ Wood, Anthony R. (May 17, 2023). "Bankrupt Chester's beleaguered mayor is overwhelmingly defeated". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ↑ Wood, Anthony R. "Bankrupt Chester needs change now, before defeated mayor leaves office, state argues". www.inquirer.com. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ↑ Cooper, Kenny. "Democrat Stefan Roots wins Chester mayoral race". www.whyy.org. WHYY. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ↑ Wood, Anthony R. "What Chester's next mayor has planned as the city marks 1st year since filing for bankruptcy". www.inquirer.com. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ↑ Rodgers, Loretta. "New Chester mayor is 'ready to work'". myspiritnews.com. The Spirit. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ↑ Stein, Linda. "Dem Outsider Wins Chester Council Primary, Vows to Blog on". www.delawarevalleyjournal.com. InsideSources, LLC. Retrieved 7 June 2023.