Spring 2026 Endorsements
Spring Primary Election on May 19, 2026
Dear South Philly Neighbor,
Over a year into Trump’s 2nd term, more Americans than ever are understanding the chaos he has brought across the country. From ICE agents terrorizing communities to kicking people off food stamps, from cuts to Medicaid to skyrocketing energy costs, Trump has put Americans last and rich elites first.
While national Democratic traitors like John Fetterman and Chuck Schumer have caved in to Trump over and over, the Democratic First Ward has been busy organizing - working with local leaders State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, State Senator Nikil Saval, and City Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke to train hundreds on how to uphold our rights and protect our neighbors from ICE. You can learn about upcoming trainings at training.iceoutphilly.org. At the same time, we knocked on doors and turned neighbors out to successfully protect the Democratic majority on the PA Supreme Court and win judicial races up and down the ballot in November 2025.
National Democratic leadership is failing to oppose Trump’s lawlessness. Here in your local Democratic First Ward, we committee people are your elected neighborhood representatives to the Democratic Party, a party that needs to focus on the needs of working people, and not on the opinions of rich donors. The upcoming Democratic Primary Election on Tuesday, May 19, is the first opportunity to shape up the Democratic Party and a chance to pull our nation back from the brink of MAGA fascism.
In May’s election, voters in Philadelphia will elect new neighborhood committee people to represent them for the next 4 years. We will also be voting for a new congressperson for the US House to replace retiring Congressman Dwight Evans. This is a competitive race in the nation’s bluest congressional district, and voters will have a real choice between different kinds of Democrats in this Primary. Our next congressperson must be ready to fight for us and our neighbors, build back a party that actually represents working people and can win national elections, and put action above empty words.
Here are the races and questions you will see on the ballot on May 19th, and the Democratic First Ward’s endorsements in these contests:
US Congress District PA-03
Chris Rabb
Chris Rabb is a progressive state representative from Mt. Airy, a fighter for economic justice, racial justice, and the environment, and has earned our endorsement in a crowded field of other candidates that we researched, interviewed, and debated. Rabb has introduced legislation for tax fairness by lowering taxes on middle-class wages and salaries and raising revenue for our underfunded schools and human services by taxing the rich. After the 2020 murder of George Floyd, Rabb got Pennsylvania’s GOP-controlled legislature to pass his police accountability legislation and has been a strong voice for criminal justice reform. Rep. Rabb has been a climate champion, introducing legislation to move Pennsylvania to 100% renewable energy, modernizing our state’s energy grid, and more.
Rep. Rabb is running for Congress to fight for a future where Philadelphia families have guaranteed access to safe housing, jobs, clean air, and water. Unlike some Democrats, he has been transparent and clear about his moral compass, calling to end ICE; to stop selling weapons to Israel; and an end to corporate and billionaire PAC money in politics. Rabb’s stances on these topics align with what we have heard from so many conversations with our neighbors here in South Philly.
Endorsed 01/22/2026
PA State House District 184
Representative Elizabeth Fiedler
Elizabeth Fiedler has been our neighborhood’s champion in Harrisburg, winning hundreds of millions in new funding for Philadelphia’s public schools, creating green energy jobs and taxpayer savings with her Solar for Schools program, and securing state funding for local parks, rec centers, and community organizations. Last year, she was named chair of the powerful Energy Committee, where she has advanced legislation to lower utility bills, boost renewable energy development, and make AI companies pay their fair share for electricity.
Endorsed 01/22/2026
Governor & Lieutenant Governor
Josh Shapiro & Austin Davis
Endorsed 02/19/26
Josh Shapiro and Austin Davis are running unopposed in the primary. They have fought back against many Trump attacks on Pennsylvania in court, and have held the line on abortion rights, public school funding, and SEPTA funding in the face of Republican attacks on our city and rights.
City Ballot Questions
‘YES’ to create a retirement benefits program for Philadelphians without employer-based 401(k)s.
‘YES’ to require the City to have an Ombudsman who advocates for children and youth supervised by the City’s juvenile justice and human services programs.
Endorsed 03/19/26
Member of the Ward Executive Committee: That’s (formally) us committee people! While we aren’t officially endorsing ourselves, we encourage you to meet your neighbors who are running - both new and experienced volunteers excited to turn out voters and build a strong city.
This election, and the General Election in November, will have a huge impact on the future of our country and the day-to-day lives of our neighbors. If you have questions, please reach out to us as your Committee People. Remember that a powerful city is a city that votes!
Sincerely,
Your elected Committee People of the Democratic First Ward: Natasha, Roberta, Sula, Doug, Kathleen, Steve, Stefanie, Erin, Meghan, Clare, Adams, Lori, Eric, Mary Kate, Dave, Caleb, Kelsey, Jonah, Leigh, Beth, Donna, Bri, Tamesh, Sam, Kaycee, Francisco, Emiliano, Dom, Anthony, Laura, Adrian, Rob, Dana, Rose, and Omercan.