George X. Schwartz (January 28, 1915 – March 26, 2010) was a Democratic politician who served as a member of the Philadelphia City Council for two decades.
Though he was born in New York City, Schwartz grew up in West Philadelphia, the son of a successful real estate broker.
[2] He made his first foray into politics in 1952, when he was elected to one of Philadelphia County's allotted at-large seats in the Pennsylvania State House.
[2] The district had previously been represented by Samuel Rose, a Democrat and part-time boxing promoter who had died of complications from a heart attack earlier that year.
[6] He would come to be known by the nickname "the silver fox" while he was serving on the Council, due to his graying hair, distinguished figure, and political clout.
[2] During his tenure as Council President, he brought several Philadelphia politicians onto his staff, including Lynne Abraham to do legislative and policy work for him.
Schwartz also got Bob Brady (Later a Congressman and longtime and incumbent head of Philadelphia's Democratic Party) his first political job as a sergeant-at-arms for City Council proceedings.
He did maintain contact with Bob Brady, who had succeeded him as leader of Democratic City Committee's 34th Ward, and supported his 2007 Mayoral campaign.
Coleman's successor, John Street, sought to return more power to the office of President, and was seen as instrumental in helping get Ed Rendell's legislative agenda enacted.