Knox Promises “Surprise” With 2011 Decision

Tom Knox says he will make an announcement on Tuesday about his 2011 election plans.

Knox, a wealthy businessman, is said to be considering a second run for Philadelphia Mayor. He came in second to Michael Nutter in the 2007 Democratic primary, spending about $12 million of his own money on the campaign.

In 2008 Knox announced his candidacy in the 2010 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election. He dropped out of that race in early 2010 citing "personal reasons," and says supporters immediately began urging another run for mayor.

There has been speculation about whether Knox would challenge Nutter's reelection bid in the Democratic primary or mount a general election campaign as an Independent candidate.

A Franklin and Marshall poll released Feb. 10 showed Nutter leading Knox in a hypothetical general election contest by 46 percent to 28 percent, with 26 percent undecided. The same poll showed 57 percent of those questioned hadn't heard of Tom Knox. He was reportedly conducting his own poll to guide his decision about entering the race.

Knox served in the U.S. Navy and was Deputy Mayor for Management and Productivity under then-Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell.

Former state legislator T. Milton Street kicked off his campaign for the Democratic mayoral nomination on Feb. 16. Democratic State Senator Anthony Williams and former Republican candidate for mayor, Sam Katz have both said they won't run in 2011.