[VT – Philadelphia] May 15, 2025 – Christy Brady, the current Philadelphia City Controller, is running for re-election to continue advancing fiscal transparency, accountability, and efficiency in city government. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), Brady is one of the few municipal finance officials to hold both credentials.
Background and Education
Brady was born and raised in Philadelphia. She graduated from Cheltenham High School in 1990 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science (now Thomas Jefferson University) in 1994, where she also played soccer and softball. She resides with her husband and three children in the Fox Chase neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia.
Professional Experience
Brady began her career in the Office of the City Controller as an entry-level auditor. Over nearly three decades, she rose through the ranks to become the first woman to serve as Deputy City Controller for Audit. In that role, she managed the office’s largest division and oversaw teams conducting financial, performance, and compliance audits of city departments and agencies. She also provided opinions on the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports and ensured the responsible use of public resources.
After serving as Acting City Controller in late 2022, she resigned in 2023 to run for the office in accordance with Philadelphia’s “resign to run” rule. She was elected in November 2023 and assumed office at the beginning of 2024.
Public Service and Leadership Roles
Brady serves on several key city boards as part of her duties as Controller:
- Board of Pensions and Retirement – Oversees investment management and pension benefit payments.
- Sinking Fund Commission – Manages the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) Pension Plan.
- City Bond Committee – Approves bond issues and certifies the city’s debt capacity and compliance with capital financing rules.
On April 15, 2025, Brady was unanimously elected Chair of the Philadelphia Gas Commission, which oversees PGW, a public utility serving over 525,000 residential and commercial customers. In this role, she leads the commission’s review of PGW’s budget, long-term financial planning, contracts, and operations.
Credentials and Recognition
Brady is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), and the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA). She has been recognized by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) with the Excellence in Government Leadership Award for her contributions to public-sector finance and management.
Audit Work and Policy Priorities
During her tenure, Brady has led the Controller’s Office in conducting audits and investigations focused on improving city operations and protecting taxpayer funds. These efforts include:
- Investigating delays in the demolition of dangerous buildings
- Reviewing the use and oversight of gun violence prevention funds
- Analyzing the allocation of opioid settlement funds received by the city
- Examining declines in public safety staffing
- Identifying financial losses caused by property tax fraud
- Monitoring expenditures and progress in the city’s Rebuild initiative
Looking ahead, Brady is prioritizing three key initiatives in her re-election campaign:
- Underground Economy Oversight – Enhancing enforcement of building code violations and unlicensed construction to recover lost permit fees and wage taxes while addressing unsafe and illegal business practices.
- Property Assessment Reform – Auditing the Office of Property Assessment (OPA) to evaluate fairness, consistency, and accuracy in property valuations, and to identify potential inequities in development-related assessments.
- Contracting Process Optimization – Conducting audits across city departments to streamline procurement and contract management, reduce delays and inefficiencies, and ensure equitable and effective service delivery.
Party Affiliation and Endorsements
Christy Brady won the special election for City Controller in November 2023. She currently holds this position until early 2026. She has received widespread support from the Philadelphia Democratic Party, multiple labor unions, and community groups.
Party Affiliation and Ballot Information
Christy Brady will appear on the Democratic primary ballot on May 20, 2025, with ballot number [22].
