http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GkklvEGwNs

If we’re reading Nelson Diaz YouTube video correctly, we may just have another entrant in the race for Philly mayor.

Though Diaz has yet to commit to run for Mayor of Philadelphia, he hired Elliot Curson to make that video. The veteran ad man said that Diaz was “actively exploring” a mayoral run.

Diaz, a former common pleas judge and Philadelphia City Solicitor, uses the autobiographical Youtube spot to highlight key points in his life that have influenced his political career.

Born in Harlem, New York to a single mother, Diaz grew up in public housing before becoming the first in his family to attend college. He graduated from St. John’s University and was recruited to attend the Beasley School of Law at Temple University.

Highlighted in the ad is Diaz’ time at Temple Law where he was the first Puerto Rican to receive his Juris Doctorate. While at Temple, Diaz founded the school’s first student organization devoted to black and Hispanic law students. Additionally, he helped minority students successfully gain admission to Temple and increased the school’s Hispanic and African-American populations.

As he began his political career, Diaz continued to be the first in many of his pursuits. For example, he was the first Puerto Rican admitted to the Pennsylvania State Bar Association. He went on to also be the first Hispanic elected to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, where he served as judge for 12 years.

Outside of Philadelphia, Diaz worked for the Clinton Administration as the first Latino general council to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) where he developed plans to reform public and mixed-use housing programs. Diaz also gained Washington experience as a special assistant to former Vice President Walter Mondale on a White House Fellowship in 1977.

A champion of the Latino community, especially concerning its representation in politics, Diaz has served on the Democratic National Committee Hispanic Caucus and the Mexican American Business Association.

As a longtime Philadelphia resident and politician, Diaz states in the ad that “every child deserves a decent education” and believes that “we can do more to bring businesses and jobs to Philadelphia.” He intends to surround himself with the “best and brightest” to make Philadelphia “move forward.”

The formal candidates for Mayor of Philadelphia include Terry Gillen, former aide to Mayors Nutter and Rendell, and Ken Trujillo, former city solicitor under Mayor John Street.