In a special election on Tuesday, September 13, voters in the 200^th district will be electing a new State Representative to fill the seat of recently elected State Senator LeAnna Washington. I am writing to urge progressive and liberal citizens everywhere in the city to support Cherelle Parker.

(Please note that I am writing for myself alone. Neighborhood Networks has not endorsed a candidate in this race.)

I have never been as proud of the community in which I live as when I heard the three candidates for State Representative in the 200^th district speak at the WMAN-EMAN Candidate’s Forum last week. All three are residents of Mt. Airy and all three have powerful and progressive voices. All three are also personal friends of mine, which makes it especially difficult for me to recommend one over the others. But Cherelle Parker is, in my view, clearly the best choice.

About Cherelle Parker

Despite her youth, Cherelle Parker has been an important part of Councilwoman Marion Tasco’s office for ten years. A few years ago I heard about an incredibly energetic and bright City Hall staffer named Cherelle Parker. I met her a few times over the last year or so. It actually was a bit hard to get to know her because I met her at events for she was partly responsible for running. At those meetings I saw why Cherelle has a reputation for energy and political savvy—she was constantly on the move making sure that the event ran well and taking care of everyone’s concerns. When I heard that she was interested in running for State Representative in the 200^th district if that seat were to become open, I talked to people who knew her well. Everyone I talked to had wonderful things to say about her. And, when I sat and talked with her at length, I found that she shared my concern for political reform, for social justice, and for serving the communities of the Northwest, I was happy to offer my support to her.

Cherelle will bring a passion for public service and for progressive public policy as well as impressive political knowledge and experience to the job of State Representative. She already has an impressive track record as one of the leading figures in the effort to stop predatory lending and also in many efforts to bring better services and public facilities to communities in the Northwest. She recognizes the importance of having a State Representative who aids our small businesses and commercial corridors, our schools, and our neighborhood associations.

While she is an independent thinker, who is determined to form her own political identity, she can also count on having the support of some of the best legislators in Harrisburg, including Democratic Appropriations Chair, Dwight Evans. And, as a young woman, she has an opportunity to eventually gain the seniority and experience to influence public policy and to bring us the state support we need.

How to Help Cherelle Parker

Given Cherelle’s impressive record, I agreed to work with Ken Weinstein to hold a fund raiser on Saturday, September 10 for her as well for State. Rep. Josh Shapiro and for Tammy Gavitt who is a candidate for State Representative in the 177^th district. And it is why I am writing you now, asking you to support Cherelle by attending our fundraiser (you will receive a separate invitation by email) by making a contribution on-line at http://cherelleparkerstaterepresentative.org/contribute.htm or by going to her website at http://cherelleparkerstaterepresentative.org/volunteer.htm to volunteer to help her in this last week of the campaign or on election day.

The Green Challenge

I want to say a word about Cherelle’s competitors, as they are not only my friends, but good people who have served our communities well.

I just adore Marlene Santoyo. We have stood side by side each other on many issues here in Philadelphia and in Harrisburg. She is an extraordinary role model for all citizen activists.

I do, however, have a few disagreements with Marlene. Foreign policy is not a major concern of state representatives and Marlene’s dedication to ending the war in Iraq, which is shared by Cherelle and Bob, is not likely to have much practical effect. However, given that she has raised foreign policy issues in the campaign, I must say that I am concerned about Marlene’s active support for the proposed Weaver’s Way boycott of Israeli produce. While we share a commitment to both a secure Israel and an independent Palestinian State, I could not support the proposed boycott because I thought it was both one-sided and likely to be understood in ways that undermined the legitimacy of Israel.

There is also a party issue. Marlene is running as the endorsed candidate of the Green Party. I see two problems with supporting a Green in this election.

First, a key task of a state representative is to bring funds from Harrisburg to our communities. Most of this money is allocated by party leaders. As the one lone Green in Harrisburg, Marlene would not have the support of any party leaders. And those of us who live in the communities Marlene represents would suffer as a result. Marlene would also have no allies on the various committees in the House who would be supportive of her political agenda. Marlene has talked about holding the balance of power between Democrats and Republicans. But the Republicans have a large majority in the House of Representatives and anyone who has studied the legislature knows that legislation is almost never voted up or down by only 1 vote.

A second problem has to do with the political strategy Marlene has adopted. I would be the first to say that the Democratic Party needs to be reformed in this city and state. (Cherelle Parker certainly agrees with that.) But, I think that in most cases the best way to create a vibrant, progressive party is by reforming the Democratic Party is from within. Our political system is structured in a way that makes it practically impossible for third parties to gain power. Even worse, progressive third parties tend to undermine the progressive Democrats. I have not forgotten that, if Ralph Nader were not the Green nominee in 2000, we would not be suffering under a Bush presidency today.

I have supported Green candidates when the Democrat candidate was ineffective or illiberal. But I see no point in voting for a Green candidate when the Democratic nominee is a young, vibrant, progressive like Cherelle Parker. Supporting candidates like Cherelle Parker is the best way for us to change the direction of our party.

Race and Progressive Politics

Finally, I must be candid in addressing a critical, and sensitive, point. Today many people are looking back to the Dilworth-Clark years as a model for political reform. Those years are a model for us in some respects. But in one crucial respect, we cannot follow that model today. Though they comprised a growing part of the population, African Americans were largely shut out of political power by the Democratic Party that Dilworth and Clark brought to power. That is the central reason that, when African Americans sought their rightful share of power, they had to do so by forming independent organizations that were entirely their own.

A new progressive / liberal movement will be difficult to create if we don’t overcome the racial divisions in Philadelphia politics, divisions that are far more severe than I have seen anywhere else in this country. We are poised to do this. I was incredibly pleased last year that my own candidacy for State Representative received a great deal of support among African Americans. In the places that knew me best, in Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy, I won an overwhelming majority of the votes of African Americans. And, despite the difficulty of running against a ten year incumbent who was an African American woman, I received thirty to forty percent of African Americans throughout the district.

Cherelle Parker is one of many African American leaders today who are ready to further break down racial divisions and form a broad progressive coalition. I think it is critical in this election for white liberals and progressives to show that are ready to do the same.

The Republican Alternative

Finally, let me say a word about Bob Rossman, the Republican candidate. He is a wonderful man, who has been an essential part of many important community activities in Mt. Airy. He has many insightful ideas about politics in our area. He is the kind of Republican I could imagine supporting in another election. Indeed, if all Republicans were like Bob, this country would be a better place.

But I do have some disagreements with him. For example, Bob opposes an increase in the minimum wage. He believes that the minimum wage reduces employment. My reading of the evidence is that it does not. We also have some disagreements about how useful privatization of parts of SEPTA would be in solving our transit funding crisis.

And then there is the party issue. Bob is a progressive Republican. But, as a member of that party, he would be obligated to vote to make Sam Smith, Majority Leader of the State House of Representatives. Sam Smith, however, stands in the way of practically every piece of progressive legislation that comes before the House. He opposes a minimum wage increase; he opposes dedicated funding for transit; and he sought greater cuts in Medicaid. As much as I like Bob, I can’t support any Republican for a state legislative position so long as the party leadership in Pennsylvania is so committed to regressive, unjust public policies.

I look forward to working with Bob and Marlene on civic and political events the future. But I am supporting Cherelle Parker for State Representative. I hope you will as well.