City Council At-Large Analysis 2023 Primary
There are five “at-large” City Council seats that Democrats can win and are elected by popular vote citywide. City Council Members have a lot of power when it comes to influencing and shaping city policies, budgets, and programs.
We believe that, if elected, this slate of candidates would significantly change the political trajectory of Philadelphia City Council. It represents the will of our members, as Amanda, Erika, Isaiah, Katherine, and Rue were the top five picks in our member survey late last year, and are the candidates we have heard from members about the most in all our member engagement since then. Although we are not in full alignment with each of them on every matter, the slate includes champions on all our important issues, reflects the diversity of our city, and taken as a whole represents the possibility of significant progress on Council.
#61 Amanda McIllmurray - Since our founding as an organization in 2016, Amanda McIllmurray has been a key force behind Reclaim Philadelphia’s values and strategy. Amanda has been leading, learning, and growing—as an organizer, a winning campaign director, and as Reclaim’s Political Director. Without Amanda’s organizing, leadership, and vision, we would not have nearly so many people elected to office from our movement—from State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler to State Senator Nikil Saval. With her decision to run for City Council At-Large, we know that she will be taking that work to an even higher level—and Philly’s multiracial working class will reap the benefits.
#63 Rue Landau 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.
#65 Erika Almirón - A stalwart of the reproductive justice and immigrant rights’ movements, her platform this year speaks powerfully to the intersection of climate justice and economic justice, mass incarceration, immigrant rights and workers’ rights. If elected, she would be Philadelphia’s first Latina At-Large member: a distinction that is long overdue.
#75 Katherine Gilmore Richardson - 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.
#79 Isaiah Thomas - 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.
Read our Analysis on our endorsement of Helen Gym for Mayor
Read our Analysis on City Council District Endorsements
Read our Analysis on Judicial Races
Read our Analysis on Ballot Questions and Row offices
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