Hudson to run for West Chester mayor

The local business owner is running as a Democratic candidate

WEST CHESTER >> Kyle Hudson, local business owner and co-founder of the West Chester Cinco de Mayo Festival, has announced his candidacy for mayor of West Chester.

“Bringing people together is what it’s all about, and that’s why I am running for mayor of West Chester,” Hudson said Sunday at his official campaign launch event at Fenn’s Coffee Shop. “I’ve been involved in town for a long time, but I thought being involved in politics was bad for business. Today, I know that’s no longer an op-

tion.”

Hudson, a Democrat, told the crowd he knows what it’s like to build community.

“Just a little over three years ago I was waiting tables right down the street,” he said. “Then I got on a TV show and won a whole bunch of money. That money allowed me to get involved in our community in a way that just wasn’t possible before.”

In 2015, Hudson worked with members of West Chester’s Mexican community to host a family-friendly Cinco de Mayo Festival, with preparations underway for the festival’s third year. Hudson is also a central member of the Charles A. Melton Center’s “#PoolTogether” initiative, a project that aims to renovate the center’s swimming pool. “If we stay passionate

about this project,” said Hudson, “we’ll have an outdoor community pool, accessible to everyone, in no time.”

Hudson said West Chester is special to him and wants to keep it that way.

“While I have lived in many places, West Chester is the only place that I’ve called home,” he said. “I love West Chester and will work hard to make it flourish. In these divisive times, we need a leader who can bring people together. With your help, we can work to build a community as one.”

Hudson created a software company and a radio show.

“I have used my knowledge of technology to help local businesses and nonprofits navigate the digital world,” he said. “I know I got the opportunity of a lifetime, and I’m just trying to pay it forward.”

At the rally, Hudson called for unity.

“Every community is

made up of many smaller communities,” Hudson said, “and there are people out there trying to divide us. In these divisive times, we need a leader who will actively work to keep our community together.” Citing Abraham Lincoln, he continued, “‘A house divided

against itself cannot stand.’ I offer that a community as one can accomplish anything if they come together. We need to stand up as a community and be an example for the rest of our nation.”

Hudson is the founder of Digital Exhibition Systems Inc., and he created the mobile app, Time Machine Tours, one of the first augmented reality tours in the world, based on his Chester County Time Machine project with the Chester County Historical Society in 2012. He has worked at WCHE 1520 AM since 2011 as a producer, and does freelance marketing for businesses and nonprofits in West Chester.

The seat for mayor will be vacant because Mayor Carolyn Comitta, a Democrat, was elected to represent the 156th Legislative District in the state House of Representatives, after a protracted recount following the Nov. 8 election.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Kyle Hudson announced his candidacy for West Chester mayor during his official campaign launch event at Fenn’s Coffee Sunday afternoon.