Reclaim Philadelphia’s Board Recommendations to membership for endorsement in the 2024 Primary
Reclaim Philadelphia members will be voting on endorsements for candidates seeking our endorsement in the 2024 Primary! Membership voting will begin at our upcoming Citywide Meeting Saturday February 24 at Calvary United Methodist Church, 801 S. 48th St. If you missed our Citywide meeting, you can watch a recording of it here.
Reclaim Philadelphia’s endorsements are decided by members. All members can and should participate in the endorsement process! Candidates who receive the votes of at least 60% of the participating members (members who submit a ballot) are endorsed. Not a member? You can become one now to weigh in on endorsements and other future important decisions about the direction of Reclaim Philadelphia and our movement. If you cannot afford to pay monthly dues at this time, you can become a member by emailing info@reclaimphiladlephia.org.
Membership voting continues from Saturday February 24, to Sunday March 3, 2024. In this year’s primary, candidates for State Representative, State Senate, State Treasurer, Auditor General, and Attorney General are seeking membership endorsement. In advance of candidate endorsements, Reclaim Philadelphia’s Board makes recommendations to membership. These recommendations come from a process of gathering information and viewpoints from our candidate questionnaires, Reclaim staff and other advocates, and aligned organizations in Philadelphia’s movement ecosystem. Below are the Board’s recommendations to membership for endorsement votes in the 2024 Primary.
Vote in our Membership Endorsement Now!
House District 10
Steering Committee Recommendation: ENDORSE CASS GREEN
Cass Green is a grassroots organizer and community leader challenging one of the most conservative democrats in the Philadelphia delegation. She has deep roots in the district cofounding a community based nonprofit in Millcreek and leading community engagement for the People’s Emergency Center in Powelton and Mantua. She first ran in a chaotic election year in 2022, when redistricting created this entirely new district with no incumbent. Although there was not enough time for a full membership endorsement vote, Reclaim’s Board did recommend her in our Primary Ballot Guide. In that election, she came less than 200 votes from beating the now incumbent Amen Brown. In this year’s primary, Reclaim’s Board believes Cass is the best bet to defeat an incumbent backed by Jeffrey Yass and grow our progressive squad in Harrisburg.
Cass Green is also endorsed by Reclaim endorsed Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, Councilmember Kendra Brooks, and District Attorney Larry Krasner as well as the 24th Democratic Ward, Amistad Movement Power, Philly DSA, and PA Working Families Party.
House District 184
Steering Committee Recommendation: ENDORSE ELIZABETH FIEDLER
Reclaim Philadelphia supported Elizabeth Fiedler for State Representative in 2018 in her first successful race for this seat. Our members have consistently endorsed her because she has proven herself to be a movement champion. In this year’s race, she is unopposed. In the state house delegation, she’s on the leadership board of the Progressive Caucus as well as the Blue/Green Caucus where she is making sure that labor and environmental groups are in conversation to deliver for our communities. It’s from the Blue/Green Caucus that she got the idea for her transformative Solar for Schools program, which funds solar energy projects at public k-12 schools, community colleges, and career technical schools across Pennsylvania. Reclaim’s Board encourages our membership to endorse Elizabeth Fiedler for re-election.
Elizabeth Fiedler is also endorsed by the 1st and 39A Democratic Wards, Amistad Movement Power, and PA Working Families Party.
Note to members: Reclaim Philadelphia Board Member Adams Rackes is Fiedler’s spouse.
House District 188
Steering Committee Recommendation: ENDORSE RICK KRAJEWSKI
Rick Krajewski, a former Reclaim Philadelphia organizer, first ran in 2020 when he defeated a 30 year incumbent. He’s on the leadership board of the Progressive Caucus in the state house where he has been pushing back against school vouchers and tough on crime legislation. He led hearings to legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania and in collaboration with West Philly nonprofit YEAH Philly introduced a bill to allow minors access to their birth certificates which would help youth better access jobs, enroll in schools, open up bank accounts and more. Rick faces a challenger in this race, and we can’t risk losing a trusted movement champion. Reclaim’s Board strongly encourages our membership to endorse Rick Krajewski for re-election.
Rick Krajewski is also endorsed by Amistad Movement Power and PA Working Families Party.
Note to members: Reclaim Philadelphia Board Member Tammer Ibrahim is the treasurer of Krajewski’s campaign.
House District 190
Steering Committee Recommendation: ENDORSE G. RONI GREEN
Roni Green is a labor leader who has a 35 year membership with union SEIU Local 668. As state representative, Roni has introduced transformative legislation for workers to increase the minimum wage to $16 as well as legislation to create a 4 day workweek. Following Philly, Roni alongside Rep Tarik Khan, introduced legislation to replace old water fountains in public schools so children and staff can have safe drinking water. She last ran in a chaotic election year in 2022, when redistricting inspired the incumbent Amen Brown to district hop to the 10th . Although there was not enough time for a full membership endorsement vote, Reclaim’s Board did recommend her in our Primary Ballot Guide. Roni faces a challenger in this race, and we can’t risk losing a trusted labor ally. Reclaim’s Board strongly encourages our membership to endorse Roni Green for re-election.
Roni Green is also endorsed by SEIU and PA Working Families Party
House District 194
Steering Committee Recommendation: ENDORSE TARIK KHAN
As a frontline nurse before and while running, Tarik delivered vaccinations to homebound patients during the peak of the COVID pandemic. We endorsed him in 2020 when he ran a progressive challenge against incumbent Pam Delissio and won! Tarik is the first Pakistani-American and first nurse practitioner ever elected in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. In the state house he’s been a trusted ally when it comes to healthcare justice where he is building up infrastructure for Medicare for All in the commonwealth. Following Philly, Tarik alongside Rep Roni Green, introduced legislation to replace old water fountains in public schools so children and staff can have safe drinking water. Reclaim’s Board recommends members endorse Tarik Khan for re-election.
Tarik Khan is also endorsed by PA Working Families Party
House District 200
Steering Committee Recommendation: ENDORSE CHRIS RABB
First elected in 2016, Rabb has been a solid movement leader in the General Assembly. In his last election, he was redistricted into a race with a fellow incumbent who was receiving funds from Republican billionaire Jeffrey Yass – and Rabb still won! Since that election Rabb worked on police accountability resulting in the creation of the first statewide police misconduct database in 2020 and the passing of the Death Penalty Repeal bill out of committee in 2023. He has also introduced legislation for reparations for the descendants of the enslaved in Pennsylvania. Reclaim Philadelphia’s membership first endorsed Rabb in 2018 and has voted to endorse him for re-election ever since. Reclaim’s board strongly recommends we keep this record going and encourages members to endorse Chris Rabb for re-election.
Chris Rabb is also endorsed by Amistad Movement Power and PA Working Families Party.
House District 201
Steering Committee Recommendation: ENDORSE ANDRE CARROLL
Andre Carroll is a Reclaim member, former campaign worker for Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, and former campaign manager for Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke. Andre is committed to mass liberation and has focused a lot of his energy around juvenile’s impacted by the carceral system. Reclaim endorsed Andre when he first ran for this seat in 2020 almost knocking out a ten year incumbent and winning 43% of the vote. In this year’s race, incumbent Stephen Kinsey has decided to not seek re-election. If elected he would become the first out gay man elected in the district, and the second out gay Black man elected in the general assembly. With no incumbent in this race, this seat is a key pickup opportunity for a movement and a chance to expand our squad in Harrisburg. Reclaim Philadelphia’s Board strongly encourages our members to endorse Andre Carroll.
Andre Carroll is also endorsed by Reclaim endorsed Councilmembers Isiah Thomas, Kendra Brooks, and Nicolas O’Rourke as well as State Senator Nikil Saval. He is also endorsed by Amistad Movement Power, Run for Something, Unite Here, and PA Working Families Party.
Senate District 1
Steering Committee Recommendation: NIKIL SAVAL
As a founding member of Reclaim Philadelphia, Nikil was instrumental in shaping the vision and values of our organization. When he run and won alongside Reclaim leader Rick Krajewski in 2020, it was a two punch win for our movement and our organization. While serving in the State Senate, Nikil introduced housing justice legislation known as Whole Home Repairs with bipartisan support. This legislation has garnered nationwide recognition including from the White House and Pennsylvanians have been lining up to receive this support. In this year’s Pennsylvania budget, Governor Shaprio committed $50 million to this transformative legislation. Nikil is a proven leader and always steadfast in his commitment to our organization and its values. Reclaim Philadelphia’s Board strongly recommends members endorse Nikil Saval for re-election.
Nikil Saval is also endorsed by Reclaim Philadelphia endorsed Councilmembers Rue Landau, Kendra Brooks, Nicolas O’Rourke and Reclaim Philadelphia Board recommended Governor Josh Shapiro. He is also endorsed by 1st and 39A Democratic Wards, Amistad Movement Power, Green New Deal Network, PA Working Families Party, and Unite Here.
Attorney General
Steering Committee Recommendation: NO RECOMMENDATION
3 candidates sought Reclaim’s endorsement: Keir Bradford Grey, Eugene DePasquale, and Joe Khan. Reclaim’s Board would support any of the 3 candidates receiving member endorsement.
Keir Bradford Gray became the Chief Public Defender in Montgomery County and Philadelphia after seeing the impact the criminal justice system has had on families like hers. As chief defender she worked in collaboration with social justice movements in Philadelphia to speak out and hold law enforcement accountable and started the first participatory defense hub on the east coast. If elected, she would become the state’s first Black attorney general, and the first Black woman to win statewide office. Keir would be a true mass liberation champion in this role.
Keir Bradford Gray is also endorsed by Reclaim Philadelphia endorsed Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Isaiah Thomas, as well as Amistad Movement Power, Collective PAC, Emily’s List, and the PA Working Families Party.
Joe Khan is a former Philadelphia prosecutor, federal prosecutor, and Bucks County Solicitor General. He has made commitments to use this role to establish Pennsylvania’s first Housing Justice Unit to address the housing crisis in our state in all its forms. He was the only county solicitor to enforce the environmental rights amendment and he’s committed to use the attorney general's office to hold fossil fuel companies and big energy accountable.
Joe Khan is also endorsed by Reclaim Philadelphia recommended State Representatives Roni Green and previously endorsed State Representative Tarik Khan and State Senator Nikil Saval. He is also endorsed by Progressive Caucus leader Izzy Smith Wade-El and APIPA.
Eugene DePasquale is a Pittsburgh native, former state legislator, and two-term auditor general. As auditor general, Eugene DePasquale fought for survivors of sexual abuse and his audits led to a 90% reduction in backlogged rape kits awaiting testing in the state. His father was a Vietnam veteran who became addicted to painkillers and landed in prison. He watched as insurance companies denied his brother coverage and he died at the young age of 20 from muscular dystrophy. We know because of his record and his family’s struggles, that he would bring an empathetic lens to this office.
Eugene DePasquale is also endorsed by Progressive Caucus leader Emily Kincaid who is his campaign chair as well as a long list of labor unions across the state.
Auditor General
Steering Committee Recommendation: MALCOLM KENYATTA
Malcolm Kenyatta has been building a broad coalition of statewide support since his run for US Senator. He is the first openly gay Black candidate to receive support from a political party for statewide office in Pennsylvania, and if elected would continue to make history. Malcolm has made the commitment to use the auditing powers of this office to give our movements empirical research that we can use to organize. These audits could be used to defend our democracy, expand funding for Nikil Saval’s Whole Home Repairs program, and get the public schools equitable funding in Philadelphia and across the commonwealth. He’s also committed to making a Bureau of labor protections to support workers who’ve had their labor laws violated. The Board strongly recommends Malcom Kenyatta as the best candidate to win the primary as well as defeat Jeffrey Yass funded election denier Tim Defoor in the general election.
Malcolm Kenyatta is also endorsed by Reclaim Philadelphia endorsed Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke as well as the AFT, PFT, Pennsylvania Democratic Party, and PA Working Families Party.
State Treasure
Steering Committee Recommendation: MEMBERS SHOULD MAKE NO ENDORSEMENT
The Board did not find the candidates compelling enough to recommend in this race. The Board recommends members make no endorsement in this race.