Reclaim Philadelphia’s Endorsement and Recommendation Analysis for November 7, 2023 General Election
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City Council At-Large
Philadelphia has a unique opportunity to elect two independent progressive candidates to City Council at Large and make history again! Let’s join together and re-elect Kendra Brooks and elect Nicolas O’Rourke to kick Republicans out, and put Working Families in!
There are 7 City Council-At-Large seats up for election on Tuesday November 7,2023. Each major party (Democrats and Republicans) is allowed to nominate only 5 candidates. Reclaim Philadelphia-endorsed candidates Isaiah Thomas, Katherine Gilmore Richardon, and Rue Landau join two other Democrats on the ballot. With the 5 seats locked down by the Democrats, the remaining two seats have historically gone to the Republican party, but it doesn’t have to be that way!
Each voter is allowed 5 votes for the 7 City Council At Large seats and can vote for candidates from any combination of parties. The top 7 vote-getters overall win, under the constraint that no party can win more than 5 of the 7 At-Large seats.
When filling out your mail-in ballot or voting in person on Election Day, we ask that you follow these steps for City Council At-Large:
1) Vote for Reclaim-endorsed Kendra Brooks (#426) and Nicolas O’Rourke (#427) of the Working Families Party first. To Kick Republicans out, and put Working Families in!
2) Next, vote for the 3 Reclaim-endorsed Democrats Isaiah Thomas (#126), Katherine Gilmore Richardson (#127), and Rue Landau (#128). All 5 Democrats will win, but the 3 supported by our movement will get the most votes!
Kendra Brooks (#426) made history in 2019 when she ran as a Working Families Party candidate and successfully took one of Philadelphia’s two “minority party” seats away from the Republican Party. Brooks was a lead drafter of the Emergency Housing Protection Act, which helped keep thousands of Philadelphians in their homes. She has protected community gardens, introduced legislation to tax the rich, and is poised to hold hearings on rent control: a program that represents a coherent and powerful effort to put power in the hands of working-class Philadelphians.
Nicolas O’Rourke (#427) is one of the most dynamic organizers in the city. The child of a union household, he would bring into office his diverse experiences leading a congregation in northeast Philadelphia and an organizing director with the Working Families Party. During the 2020 election, he led an extraordinary effort to support counting every vote, despite incredible pressure from the Trump Administration. His candidacy represents a critical chance to unseat the last At-Large Republican on Philadelphia’s City Council. We believe deeply in his vision for working closely with social movements.
Isaiah Thomas (#126) - Working with hospitality worker union UNITE HERE, he took on the hotel industry to ensure that housekeepers won their jobs back after being laid-off during the pandemic. His landmark Driving Equality legislation, which ensures that Philadelphia residents are not stopped by police for routine traffic matters, has won nationwide acclaim as a model for anti-carceral movements.
Katherine Gilmore Richardson (#127) - Passed legislation in her first year requiring transparency in the City’s contract negotiations with the Fraternal Order of Police. A staunch ally of organized labor, she has worked tirelessly to create more pathways for Black and Brown residents into union jobs. In addition, she was the single largest supporter at the city level of the Reclaim-supported Whole-Home Repairs program for PA.
Rue Landau (#128) has a distinguished history as a tenants’ rights attorney and activist for LGBTQ+ rights. She cut her teeth as an organizer with ACT UP, Kensington Welfare Rights Union, and Women’s Health Action and Mobilization. As an attorney at Community Legal Services, she helped thousands of low-income renters avoid eviction. If elected, she would become the first out lesbian member of City Council, where she would be what she has been for many years: a transformative and enduring leader in the movement for social justice.
City Council (3rd District)
Jamie Gauthier (#131) has passed legislation to ensure equity in development, including a pilot initiative that requires developers to make 20 percent of their apartments affordable in order to exceed zoning requirements. Her Just Services campaign, which pointed to the deep inequity in basic city services between neighborhoods, recognizes that equitable investment, rather than increases in policing or incarceration, are the most effective responses to quality-of-life issues and community violence. In the general election, Jamie faces a right wing opponent who worked with greedy real estate developers and GOP Billionaire Jeffrey Yass to defeat progressives in the Spring Primary and is targeting our endorsed candidates Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke in this general election.
STATE JUDICIAL RACES
For JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, we recommend Daniel McCaffery (#101). Although this election will not change party control, the courts have been deadlocked when it's come to voting rights and the courts could make decisions impacting reproductive rights. McCaffery has been outspoken about his disagreement with the Dobbs decision and his commitment to protecting Act 77 voting rights. His Republican opponent wants to rework Act 77 and restrict abortion access. This will be a major fight in the November General election, similar to the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election.
For JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT, we recommend Jill Beck (#102) & Timika Lane (#103). Before becoming a Judge, Timika Lane worked as a public defender and child advocate. She currently serves as one of four judges in the Civil Section of the First Judicial District's Complex Litigation program. Jill Beck’s quality of legal writing is excellent and is a strong believer in fair and equal access to the courts.
For JUDGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH COURT, we recommend Matt Wolf (#104). Judge Wolf led Philadelphia's eviction diversion program and has fought to make Philadelphia Municipal Court a more fair, accessible, and just court through his work with debt relief. The recent Commonwealth ruling that found public school funding impacting Philadelphia unconstitutional heightens the importance of this court.
JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Through seeking input from candidates, allied Black & brown led mass liberation organizations, legal organizations and our members, Reclaim’s Steering Committee recommends our Slate of 7 Common Pleas judicial candidates. We recommend these candidates for endorsement because we believe they will have the most positive impact on an institution that enables mass incarceration — an institution derived from forces designed to uphold chattel slavery and suppress organized labor. We must also continue to understand public safety in terms of housing, jobs, healthcare, food, and community.
This slate of judicial candidates includes public defenders, labor lawyers, and champions of voting and housing justice in the courts. The majority women slate reflects the diversity of our city and includes only candidates “recommended” or “highly recommended” by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Natasha Taylor-Smith (# 105)
Tamika Washington (# 106)
Samantha Williams (# 107)
Kay Yu (# 108)
John Padova (# 109)
Caroline Turner (# 113)
Jessica Brown (# 114)
While you may vote for up to 10, we recommend our members vote only for the 7 judicial candidates supported by the movement. There are no Republicans running for these seats, so rest assured that all Democrats will win.
BALLOT QUESTIONS
Ballot Question 1: Proposed Charter Change
Recommend Vote Yes on Question 1
This ballot question was sponsored by our endorsed candidate Councilmember Kendra Brooks and would permanently establish an Office for People with disabilities. Sixteen percent of Philadelphians are people with disabilities and this office would continue crucial work connecting folks with benefits and resources available to them through the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other laws that protect the civil rights of people with disabilities.
JUDICIAL RETENTIONS
After judges serve a ten year term in Pennsylvania, they run for “retention.” Unlike judges running for the first time, they do not face opponents or have their party listed on the ballot. Voters will simply vote “YES” or “NO” on whether these judges should serve for another ten years, or until they turn 75. It is very rare for a judge to lose a retention vote. This is an opportunity for voters to hold bad judges accountable.
Judicial Retentions - Superior Court
Recommend Vote No on Victor P Stabile
Stabile is one of the seven Republicans on the Superior Court, which is split evenly with seven Democrats right now. Two vacancies to be filled this election will determine partisan control of the Superior Court. Ward 18, State Rep Chris Rabb, Amanda McIllmurray and Seth Anderson-Oberman recommend voting no on his retention.
Judicial Retention - Court of Common Pleas
Recommend Vote No on Anne Marie B Coyle
Coyle has set harsh sentences, including a 7 year prison sentence for shoplifting, set high bail, and denied inmates bids to get out of jail during the height of COVID. She has publicly clashed with DA Larry Krasner and Public defender Keir Bradford-Grey over her decisions. Wards 1, 2, 9, 15, 18, 27, and 39a, 5th Square, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Straight Ahead, Free the Ballot Incarcerated Voter Family Network, Amistad Movement Power, Defenders Union UAW Local 5502, Stape Rep Chris Rabb, Amanda McIllmurray, Michael Coard, and Seth Anderson-Oberman have all recommended voting no on her retention.
Recommend Vote No on Paula Patrick
Paula Patrick ran as a Democrat but switched to Republican. She ruled that the Columbus statue must be visible in Marconi Plaza. She has twice run for higher office and courted extreme right-wing supporters, including QAnon networks. Wards 1, 2, 9, 15, 18, and 39a, Straight Ahead, Free the Ballot Incarcerated Voter Family Network, Amistad Movement Power, State Rep Chris Rabb, Amanda McIllmurray, and Seth Anderson-Oberman have all recommended voting no on her retention.
Judicial Retention - Municipal Court
Recommend Vote No on Brad Moss
While supervising landlord tenant court, Moss pushed to evict people in the pandemic and housing advocates say he prioritized court efficiency over tenants’ concerns. When Philly Elmo came before him in the courts, he made a summer intern represent him instead of waiting for his defender. State Rep Chris Rabb and Seth Anderson-Oberman recommend voting no on his retention.
Recommend Vote No on William A Meehan Jr
A golden ticket recipient thanks in part to his Republican Ward Leader father, Meehan has been on the bench for 30 years. He has a pattern of dismissing charges against police officers. Some of the most infamous of cases involved dismissing charges against two police officer brothers, Patrick and James Smith, for beating a man with special needs and dismissing all charges against the SWAT police officer Riachard P. Nicoletti that tear gassed protestors on I-676. “You can’t put [officers] in charge of maintaining order, and then tie their hands on how they’re going to do it,” Meehan said. Ward 18, Michael Coard, Straight Ahead, Free the Ballot Incarcerated Voter Family Network, Amistad Movement Power, State Rep Chris Rabb, Amanda McIllmurray, and Seth Anderson-Oberman have all recommended voting no on his retention.
Recommend Vote No on David C Shuter
Court records show Judge Shuter has ruled in favor of landlords in several eviction cases and he’s married to Marissa Shuter, a landlord-tenant officer who financially benefits from people being evicted. Not only is this a conflict of interest, but deserves further scrutiny after three landlord-related shootings in four months all connected to Marissa Shuter. Ward 18 & 27, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Straight Ahead, Free the Ballot Incarcerated Voter Family Network, Amistad Movement Power, State Rep Chris Rabb, Amanda McIllmurray, and Seth Anderson-Oberman have all recommended voting no on Shuter’s retention.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING
Update and verify your voter Registration: Even if you are a regular voter, it’s always good to verify your registration before the deadline. If you’ve moved or changed your name, you can update your registration now. The deadline to register to vote or update your voter registration for the General Election is Monday October 23, 2023.
If you have been impacted by the carceral system, you can still vote: as long as you aren’t in prison or jail for a felony conviction or haven’t committed election fraud within the last four years.
If voting in person: Polls are open 7am to 8pm on Election day Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Find your polling location here. Photo ID is not required to vote unless it is your first time voting in your current division. If you requested a mail-in ballot but have changed your mind you will still need to surrender your mail-in ballot and all related envelopes in order to vote at the polls. If you have any problems you can always request to vote by provisional ballot. Wear a mask and observe social distancing inside the polling place. If you are in line by 8pm you are legally allowed to vote.
If voting by mail: The deadline to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot is Tuesday, October 31, 2023. You still need to apply to receive a mail-in ballot even if you received one last year. You can apply for a mail-in ballot here. To ensure that it arrives in time, we advise you to drop off your mail-in ballot at the Board of Elections in City Hall or the closest 24/7 Ballot Drop Off Box by 8pm on Election Day, not your polling place.
Make your mail-in ballot count: 1) Mark your ballot with a black or blue pen. 2) Seal it in the secrecy envelope. 3) Seal the secrecy envelope into the return envelope. Ballots without the secrecy envelope will not be counted! 4) Sign and date the return envelope.
Get all your voting resources for the upcoming election and reclaim your vote here!
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Reclaim Philadelphia’s Steering Committee is a leadership team directly elected by Reclaim Philadelphia members to two-year terms. See the current membership that was elected on October 17, 2022 at the bottom of our Leadership Team page.