Michael Driscoll replaces Bobby Henon on Philadelphia City Council

Former Pennsylvania State Representative Michael Driscoll was sworn into office as a member of the Philadelphia City Council on June 14. Driscoll now represents Philadelphia City Council’s 6th District.

Driscoll won the 6th Council District seat in a special election on May 17 to replace Bobby Henon, who resigned from the Philadelphia City Council on Jan. 20 after he and former electricians union leader John Dougherty were convicted on federal bribery and fraud charges. 

Driscoll, who ran as a Democrat, was unopposed in the election. He was sworn in on June 14 with a ceremony highlighting his career as a state representative. As a councilman for Philadelphia’s 6th Council District, Driscoll will represent much of Northeast Philadelphia.

As a Pennsylvania state representative, Driscoll championed early childhood education funding and introduced gun control legislation.

“I feel as though my entire public service career has prepared me for this moment, and I cannot wait to get to work,” Driscoll said to The Philadelphia Tribune. “The people of the great Northeast and 6th District need an advocate, and I plan to serve them with all the passion, energy and experience I have.”

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and fellow Philadelphia City Council members attended the swearing-in ceremony, which took place at City Hall.

“I‘ve never met a more decent person in my life,” Kenney said of Driscoll. “He doesn’t have a bad word to say about anyone, and he’s always positive.”

Driscoll graduated from La Salle University and earned a master’s degree in government administration from Penn in 1986. He formerly represented Pennsylvania’s 173rd Legislative District in the State House from 2015 to 2022.

According to KYW News Radio, Driscoll stated that he’s “thankful for the valued opportunity to now serve in this city council with gratitude, humility and respect going forward.”