Independent candidates in the May 8 City Council race said Bryant's indictment could boost their chances. Carmen Ubarry, who threw her name into the ring yesterday, said the very reason most were running was to oppose the "machine" politics Bryant represented.
"The senator is an example of why change is needed," Ubarry said.
Fellow candidate Vance Bowman, who joined her at a news conference yesterday, said the indictment would work in their favor. "Bryant has been supporting the individuals on the other side of the aisle," he said.
Other city leaders were more sympathetic and urged Bryant's critics to avoid a rush to judgment.
"I can truly say he's been a friend to Camden," Mayor Gwendolyn Faison said. "I'll keep him in my prayers."
Said city school board President Philip E. Freeman, who has known Bryant for more than three decades: "I've always known him to be a very sincere and honorable man."
Freeman said he hoped Bryant would get a chance to defend himself in court, as opposed to "the court of public opinion."
In Lawnside, sentiments were mixed yesterday.
Bryant's younger brother, Mark, the borough's mayor, has been out of town. Wayne Bryant, the borough's solicitor until resigning two weeks ago, was on vacation in Mexico.
The brothers rose to power nearly two decades ago in the historic and predominantly black borough of 2,700, which is known as a former stop on the Underground Railroad.
Many of the streets in the tiny municipality have been targets of Bryant-sponsored redevelopment efforts and are named for the Bryants, and relatives and associates.
Resident Clinton Higgs expressed concern that Wayne Bryant's political influence would continue - his former law partner, Allen Zeller, is the borough's solicitor.
"I'm concerned that the state is going to get rid of him but that he'll still be calling the shots in Lawnside," Higgs said.
