Spring 2022 Endorsements & Voter Guide (English)

Elizabeth Fiedler

Elizabeth Fiedler has worked tirelessly serving the residents of HD184. Her dedicated staff have helped an unprecedented 13,000 constituents with critical unemployment benefits, tax and rent rebates, food assistance, pandemic relief programs, and much more. She has brought back state grant money to programs that benefit not insiders or profit-seekers but the people of the district: recreation centers, libraries, violence prevention work, apprenticeship and job training, daycares, and senior programs. With community organizations, she has led volunteer canvassing efforts to connect seniors to Covid vaccines, and to increase voter turnout and ensure Democrat victories in the 2018 governor and 2020 presidential elections. She is a leader in the fight for public schools, whose coalition-building paved the way for the Governor’s $1 billion investment proposal for public school repairs. She supports universal healthcare and strong climate action that puts organized labor first. She fights for the working-class majority of ordinary people in South Philly because she cares about everyone—and because she is an ordinary person: a worker, a mom, a community member.  We are grateful for her work, and strongly recommend her for re-election.

Endorsed 02/17/2022

Malcolm Kenyatta

Malcolm Kenyatta is a third-term State Representative from North Philadelphia. He was raised in poor and working-class communities, common experiences that need to be represented in the out-of-touch Senate. His record in the State House is notable for his passionate fight against ending the lifeline General Assistance program in 2019. There are two main reasons we support Kenyatta. First, he has assembled an impressive coalition with endorsements from many of the unions and organizations of the “essential workers” of the pandemic: teachers, custodians, package deliverers, and workers in healthcare, hospitality, and the public sector. If he wins, he will be accountable to them. Second, he was extremely personable, skillful, and respectful in our forum and in conversations. He showed up, and was able to make his case and answer questions clearly and impressively. This ability to engage with people and build relationships will be important for winning the general election and delivering for us as a Senator.

If you feel passionately about John Fetterman, please vote for him! We admire his message and positions, and many of us initially supported him. However, over many months he consistently declined offers to speak with us and numerous other community and religious groups. He has few relationships, and it’s unclear what forces he is accountable to. We do not recommend Conor Lamb, who is supported by cynical corporate super-PACs and who would represent powerful donors rather than the long-term needs of working-class people. While we will work hard in November to elect the Democratic nominee, we would rather not put our energy into elevating another Joe Manchin (who has praised Lamb).

Endorsed 03/24/2022

Dwight Evans

Dwight Evans is running for re-election in the Third Congressional District. Evans has fought for the Build Back Better agenda in Congress, and wants to negotiate drug prices and reinstate the Child Tax Credit. He has supported State Senator Nikil Saval’s Whole-Home Repairs Act, brought millions of federal dollars to the district in economic support and to fight gun violence, and has been a leader on Postal Service reform. While we appreciate the energy and agree with some of the critiques of Evans’ challengers, it is an important fact that Evans is the only federal representative of color in Pennsylvania, representing the state’s only Black-majority district. His Congressional record has been good, and we believe Dwight Evans deserves another term.

Endorsed 03/24/2022

Josh Shapiro

If a Republican is elected governor of Pennsylvania, it will open a floodgate of legislation to expand fracking, destroy unions, privatize schools, criminalize abortion, and imperil fair elections. As Attorney General, Josh Shapiro defended our democracy against Trump’s attempts to discount the votes of Philadelphians in the 2020 presidential election. He also went after Hawbaker Inc., a construction company that was stealing employees’ wages, and won over $20 million  for workers—the largest settlement of its kind in U.S. history. While we find that he falls short in some regards (racial justice, climate change), we recognize the urgency of electing him as our next governor.

Endorsed 03/24/2022

Austin Davis

Austin Davis, a third-term State Representative from the Pittsburgh area, is Josh Shapiro’s chosen running mate. We agree with Shapiro’s analysis that a Black running mate from Western PA strengthens the general election ticket. Moreover, Davis impressed us in our candidate forum with clear and thoughtful answers, is respected and liked by his colleagues, and is a strong labor supporter. We applaud the effort of his competitor, Brian Sims, but think that Davis is the better option in this race.

Endorsed 03/24/2022