Fmr. candidates officially endorse Jim Kenney in race for Phila. mayor

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The former democratic candidates in the race for Philadelphia mayor formally endorsed Jim Kenney, meanwhile Republican Melissa Murray Bailey is vowing a fight.

"We haven't seen each other in a while and we're just happy to be together and we look forward to the general election," said Jim Kenney.

Thursday was the first time these six would be mayors had come together since the last debate in May.

They ate and posed for a unity lunch, then they all emerged to formally get behind the primary winner and odds over favorite to win the mayor's seat.

All eyes were on the body language of Senator Anthony Hardy Williams, who was the primary's front runner, until his fortunes faded rapidly in the home stretch.

"I've known Jim Kenney for a lot of years - before I was gray and he was still a mummer," said Senator Williams.

Two other veteran politicians said they're happy the primary did not turn into racially-charged smack down, reminiscent of an era now long gone by.

"Many of us ran during the Wilson Goode, Frank Rizzo battle and it was a lot that came out of that and it was extreme racial polarization," said Milton Street, former state senator.

"With all these candidates, I thought that this probably was the most civilized campaign that focused on the issues instead of each other," said Lynne Abraham, former district attorney.

International business executive Melissa Murray Bailey in running hard on the GOP side.

Despites fewer campaign dollars and a large registration gap, she says she is a reformer, running against the usual City Hall crowd that is resistant to reforms and fighting corruption.

"As I've been talking to people, I know that they want to see something different. They want someone who is able to stand up to the political machine and they see that in me," said Murray Bailey.

The general election will be held in November.