Dear 9th Ward, 15th Division Voter:
Primary Election Day is May 17, 7 AM-8 PM: This primary will decide the fate of Pennsylvania—and the nation.
PLEASE NOTE OUR RETURN TO OUR USUAL POLLING PLACE: Allens Lane Art Center, 601 W. Allens Lane
For Vote by Mail: Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is 5/10, by 5 PM. Apply online at pavoterservices.pa.gov and submit your completed, signed, and sealed mail-in ballot no later than 5/17, by 8 PM, at City Hall, Room 142 (1400 JFK Blvd), or locally at Dorothy Emanuel Rec Center (8500 Pickering St.) or Pleasant Playground (305 Slocum St.)
US SENATE PA holds the key to control of the US Senate in 2022. After eleven long years of “representation” by an arch-conservative Republican, we have the responsibility to reclaim a Senate seat for our commonwealth and our country. The next US Senator from PA will cast the deciding votes on every piece of legislation on the Biden administration’s agenda, as well as on judicial nominees up to and possibly including the Supreme Court.
Mindy and the 9th Ward believe Conor Lamb has the electoral experience, energy, and integrity to defeat the forces that seek to take our country back to the dark ages. Over his four years as a Congressman, Lamb has advocated for veterans’ services, women’s reproductive rights, raising the minimum wage, and expanding Medicare. Lamb stood up to the mob attacking the Capitol on Jan. 6, and has been a fierce proponent of accountability for those conspiring to overturn the results of the November 2020 election. Lamb has voted 100 percent in accordance with President’s Biden ambitious legislative agenda. Endorsed by groups ranging from PA NOW to Philly’s Black Clergy, Lamb will build bridges across the entire commonwealth and finally give us the representation we deserve. The 9th Ward strongly endorses Conor Lamb to be the next US Senator from Pennsylvania.
Steve strongly supports Malcolm Kenyatta for US Senate. As the first openly LGBT person of color and one of the youngest members elected to the PA General Assembly, he is deeply committed to creating an equitable and inclusive society. As a legislator, he has championed proposals to address generational poverty, raise the minimum wage, protect workers’ rights, increase access to mental healthcare, common-sense measures to address gun violence, and protect our digital infrastructure. Malcolm is not only a fierce champion for our values, he is the best positioned candidate to excite Democratic voters of color, the key demographic to a democratic win in November. Malcolm has picked up the most endorsements across all parts of the PA: (https://www.malcolmforpa.com/endorsements) and is the strongest candidate to contrast with the extreme right wing agenda of his Republican opponent. Steve believes the 9th Ward got it wrong — Malcolm Kenyatta is not only the best candidate on the issues, he is the candidate most likely to beat a Republican in November.
PA GOVERNOR Democrats have had to rely on the power of Gov. Wolf’s veto pen to strike down the reactionary bills the GOP-controlled General Assembly has passed to restrict abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, access to the ballot, and even a teacher’s ability to teach without fear of prosecution. We cannot let the governorship come under GOP control. Josh Shapiro is the most eminently qualified candidate to make sure this critical office remains in Democratic hands. Having served as a state rep, a county commissioner, and PA’s Attorney General, Josh has proven that he has the vision, progressive track record, and focus to lead our commonwealth in these very uncertain times. The 9th Ward strongly and unanimously endorses Josh Shapiro to be the next governor of PA.
PA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR The lieutenant governor oversees the parole board, presides over the PA Senate, and is a vital partner in assisting the governor in the day-to-day functions of the state. The 9th Ward strongly endorses Josh Shapiro’s chosen running mate, Mon Valley State Rep. Austin Davis, to be PA’s next Lt. Gov.
US CONGRESS In his six years in office,Congressman Dwight Evanshas advocated for healthcare for children, seniors, and veterans; fought for tax fairness, civil rights, better housing, and the revitalization of our neighborhoods; and steadfastly upheld the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans and all citizens who struggle for visibility and representation. The 9th Ward strongly endorses the reelection of Rep. Dwight Evans to the US Congress.
PA SENATE State Sen. Art Haywood has been a steadfast advocate for public education, raising the minimum wage, restricting access to guns, and fighting for solutions to the scourge of gun violence.The 9th Ward strongly and unanimously endorses the reelection of Sen. Art Haywood to the PA State Senate.
PA STATE HOUSE State Rep Chris “Rep” Rabb has been an impassioned, visible, quintessentially progressive, and tireless advocate for criminal justice reform, reproductive rights, racial equity, public education, and youth services. He has been a staunch supporter of access to healthcare for all Pennsylvanians, and has provided robust, innovative, and energetic constituent services throughout the 200th District. Whether we gain a Democratic majority in the PA House or continue in the minority, we want Rep Rabb there to fight all the good fights on behalf of us all. The 9th Ward strongly endorses the reelection of the 9th Ward’s own Rep. Chris Rabb for the 200th District.
DEMOCRATIC STATE AND 9th WARD COMMITTEES The 9th Ward unanimously endorses Nina Ahmad and Ahsan Nasratullah to serve on the PA Democratic State Committee, and we strongly endorse reelecting your division’s Democratic committeepeople, Steve Masters and Mindy Brown, to a 4-year term in the 9th Ward.
CHARTER CHANGE BALLOT QUESTIONS The 9th Ward recommends “yes” votes on all four ballot initiatives: (1) amending the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to increase the number of mayoral appointees to the Zoning Board of Adjustment from five to seven; (2) amending the Charter to remove all gender-based references; (3) amending the Educational Supplement to the Charter to remove all gender-based references; (4) amending the Charter to establish the Fair Housing Commission as an independent commission to adjudicate unfair rental practices and issues concerning landlord and tenant relationships.
9TH Ward Democratic Committee: Steve Masters steve@justlaws.org • Mindy Brown mindymbrown@gmail.com
