Primary elections are coming up on Tuesday, May 21! Here in Philadelphia, registered Democrats and Republicans have a chance to select candidates for City Council, Mayor, and other important races. Philadelphians can vote for five at-large candidates for City Council, in addition to a candidate to represent their own district.
Since Philly is so heavily Democratic, many of these races are effectively decided in May.
350 Philadelphia is excited to endorse four City Council candidates who have strong commitments to fighting for climate, economic, and racial justice. Each candidate has publicly stated that they oppose new fossil fuel infrastructure, an issue we have been fighting on several fronts, and signed on to the Philadelphia Green New Deal platform that our friends at Sunrise Movement Philadelphia have put forward.
We took into account both the candidates’ track records and their stated positions on climate and environmental justice issues. We also considered their stances on other justice issues, endorsements by our allies, and the strength of their campaigns. We encourage you to contact their campaign offices to learn how to volunteer, or sign up to canvass for three of the candidates with the Sunrise Movement here.
Adrian Rivera-Reyes – Now a PhD cancer researcher, Adrian was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in a working class family here in Philadelphia. He has served as a union organizer and helped to lead efforts to promote fair taxation, gender equity, LGBT rights, and more. Climate justice and the creation of a Green New Deal for Philadelphia are at the center of Adrian’s platform and stump speeches. (Read his op-ed about the Green New Deal here.) He has signed the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge.
Endorsed by: 5th Square, LGBTQ Victory Fund, and Sunrise Movement Philly. Choose Ballot position #54 for Adrian.
Helen Gym – Helen has been fighting for environmental justice, workers rights, quality public schools, housing as a human right, and protection of immigrants, for more than 20 years. Since she became a member of City Council in 2016, she has worked tirelessly to pass groundbreaking progressive legislation, like the recently adopted Fair Work Week bill. Helen is a strong advocate for a Green New Deal, and she is the only at-large member of City Council who has pledged to vote against PGW’s proposed Liquified Natural Gas facility in South Philly.
Endorsed by: Reclaim Philadelphia, 1st Ward Democratic Committee, CADBI (Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration), 8th Ward Democratic Committee, Asian American Action Fund, Neighborhood Networks, 2nd Democratic Ward, AFSCME DC 47, Philadelphia Democratic City Committee, Sunrise Movement Philadelphia, and 215 People’s Alliance. Choose Ballot Position #56 for Helen.
Erika Almiron – Erika worked for more than 7 years as the Executive Director of Juntos, an immigrant rights organization here in Philadelphia. After growing up in a working class immigrant family in South Philly, she has served as an organizer in many roles and movements for the past two decades. An experienced and effective leader, Erika played a key role in ending Philadelphia’s cooperation with ICE (the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency) In her advocacy for a Green New Deal, Erika speaks about how the climate crisis drives migration across borders and how the struggles for migrant justice and climate justice are woven together.
Endorsed by: Reclaim, 1st Ward Democratic Committee, CADBI (Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration), 8th Ward Democratic Committee, Asian American Action Fund, Neighborhood Networks, 2nd Democratic Ward, AFSCME DC 47, Philadelphia Democratic City Committee, PFT (Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, PASNAP, Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, Liberty City LGBTQ Democratic Club, 8th Democratic Ward, EMILY’s List, and Sunrise Movement Philly. Choose Ballot Position #68 for Erika.
Justin DiBerardinis – is the program director at Bartram’s Garden in Southwest Philadelphia, where he has worked with neighborhood residents to create an urban farm and other programs that serve the community. Previously, he organized with Philadelphia parents, teachers, and community members to win fair funding and adequate resources for public schools, and served as the legislative director for Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez. A strong advocate for equitable development of renewable energy and health, energy efficient, affordable housing, Justin has spoken out against PGW’s proposed LNG plant and signed the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge.
Endorsed by: 5th Square, Reclaim, 215 People’s Alliance, Second Generation PAC, 1st Ward Democratic Committee, CADBI (Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration), Neighborhood Networks, 2nd Democratic Ward, Our Revolution, Faculty and Staff Federation of Community College of Philadelphia (AFT), PASNAP, Liberty City LGBTQ Democratic Club, Working Families Party, and Sunrise Movement Philly. Choose Ballot Position #80 for Justin.
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