2022 Election Watch: Kentucky, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina (May 17, 2022)

As spring transitions to summer there will be an uptick in primaries across the country. Check out the 33 incredible Run for Something candidates in Kentucky, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and South Carolina that will appear on the ballot next Tuesday, May 17th. With Election Day just four short days away these candidates need all hands on deck to secure victory. Get to know them and sign up to volunteer for a couple of hours below.

CANDIDATES

KENTUCKY

Neal Turpin
Kentucky House, District 30
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Neal Turpin is a policy expert and an educator, having taught at the University of Louisville, Jefferson Community and Technical College, and Simmons College, Louisville’s HBCU. He also works as a city planner and a policy analyst for a statewide news outlet. He grew up in the district and has a deep love for the community, its history, and its residents, and understands how the needs of the community have changed over the years.

Neal has served on the precinct committee for the district for six years and volunteered for several local, state, and national campaigns, knocking on doors, making calls, and raising money. He is passionate about voting, education, economic issues and will work hard to ensure all residents in his district have the resources and opportunities they deserve. He lives in Louisville with his wife and two kids.

Lindsey Burke
Kentucky House, District 75
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Lindsey Burke is a social worker and not-for-profit attorney running for State Representative in Kentucky’s 75th District. As a State Representative, Lindsey will continue her longstanding commitment to housing access and affordability, social services, public education, and health care access and affordability. Lindsey is a native Lexingtonian, who is deeply in tune with the needs of her community. For decades, she has been an advocate and ally for progressive causes like access to justice, affordable housing, disability inclusion, and environmental stewardship. Her years working in community organizing and social services led to Lindsey observing social issues across Lexington, and creating programs and systems to address those problems — she is an entrepreneurial problem-solver and visionary.

In addition to her work as Founder and Managing Attorney of a legal services nonprofit, Lindsey is regularly appointed to practice as a Guardian ad Litem for people in guardianship court cases. She considers it a privilege to assist families in the midst of major transitions. Lindsey is active in the leadership of several nonprofits, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for a low-income apartment complex and a collegiate paralegal program. Lindsey and her spouse, Spencer, are Deacons of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Liz Sheehan
Lexington-Fayette City Council, District 5
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Councilmember Liz Sheehan was elected to serve the residents of Lexington, Kentucky’s 5th District in November of 2020, after defeating a long-term incumbent. Since assuming office during the throes of a global pandemic, Liz continues to demonstrate she’s a community builder, hard worker, and fearless advocate for her constituents. She remains focused on the day-to-day needs of Lexingtonians while working to bring the community together to build an even better future. Her perspective as a researcher, college educator, and working mother guide her approach as a Councilmember.

Liz understands the most important job of government is to make sure basic needs are being met in our community. Public safety, housing affordability, food access, and mental and physical health are the most vital parts of a healthy and equitable community. Liz is data-driven, collaborative, and willing to work with anyone that can help move our city forward. She has a proven record of advocating to keep our community safe, housed, fed, and well; she voted to approve a collective bargaining agreement that included many community-driven reforms and pay increases for our public safety officers, helped secure millions of dollars in funding for her neighbors experiencing homelessness, co-sponsored Lexington’s ban on “conversion therapy” for minors, and consistently supports public health initiatives. With your support, Lexington will continue to benefit from the hard work and leadership that Councilmember Sheehan demonstrated during her first term in office. She will continue working together to preserve the uniqueness of Lexington while shaping our future.

Jennifer Chappell
Louisville Metro Council, District 15
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Jennifer Chappell is a lifelong Louisvillian who knows that strong communities start with engaged citizens and that’s why she has devoted her life to being one. She was elected to her second term as a Conservation District Supervisor, currently serving as Chair of the board, helping to create a sustainable future while advocating for environmental justice. She is a champion for neighborhoods, serving as president of her community council and creating a non-profit that focuses on beautification and streetscape improvements in communities. She comes from a working class family and enjoyed growing up in Louisville, knowing that if we want more children to grow up with the experiences that she did, we’re going to have to do more to support working families and women. This means more youth development, mental health resources, improved safety, and access to more affordable housing and increased homeownership.

She is running for Metro Council District 15 because she is ready to take her experience and advocacy to the next level. It’s time that Louisville stops being reactive and starts being proactive.

NORTH CAROLINA

Kendrick Cunningham
Charlotte City Council, District 2
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Kendrick Cunningham is running for Charlotte City Council District Three. A dynamic Democrat focused on upward mobility and system transformation, he has tirelessly worked to register youth and increase his generation’s capacity to impact change in North Carolina for over half a decade. An UNA-USA Emerging Leader, he knows that the UN anticipates Charlotte to be the fastest growing area in America through 2030. Kendrick Cunningham is running to make Housing for All law in Charlotte and remove barriers working family communities experience accessing housing at affordable prices in Charlotte‚Äôs housing market. Kendrick envisions a day where all Charlotteans can affordably eat, work, and play relatively close to where they sleep.

A contributor of the Biden Housing Plan, Kendrick has worked to advance housing for all in Charlotte since 2017. Ending source of income discrimination is one of the reasons he decided to continue his career in organizing beyond building youth power in NC. Kendrick believes that this is the viable pathway forward to eliminating De Facto Segregation in America which would remove a lot of barriers for an extremely diverse group of Americans across all income levels. To learn more about Kendrick and why he fights for housing for all, go to www.kendrickcunningham.com/housingforall.

Victoria Watlington
Charlotte City Council, District 3
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Victoria Watlington, PE, PMP, is a licensed Professional Engineer and certified Project Management Professional. She has held several roles in engineering, initiative management and operations management in the consumer product goods industry. She is serving her first term as the District 3 Charlotte City Council representative.

A 2017 Charlotte Chamber YP award winner, Pride Magazine’s 2018 Outstanding Millennial, and Elevate Lifestyle 30 Under 30 honoree, Watlington was recognized as the 2019 UNC Charlotte Alumni Association Outstanding Young Alumna; one of Mecklenburg Times’ 2019 50 Most Influential Women; and the Charlotte Business Journal’s 40 under 40. On a mission to build connected, inclusive, and responsible communities, Victoria is passionate about service and advocating for the West Charlotte area, having spent the last decade serving the community via various professional and service organizations. As the land use committee chair of the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition, she has led pilot efforts with the City of Charlotte to develop a holistic area plan for the corridor ahead of the 2020 budget and is currently initiating planning efforts with Mecklenburg County.

Watlington also served as vice chair of the city’s Civil Service Board, and served on the city’s Business Advisory Committee, and the United Way Central Carolinas Young Leaders Council. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and attends Elevation Church.

Victoria holds a bachelor ‘ s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida, and a masterÄôs degree in Engineering Management from UNC Charlotte.

Millicent Rogers
Durham School Board, Consolidated District B
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Millicent is a proud graduate of Durham Public Schools (DPS) and looks forward to leading the next generation of DPS students by running for the Durham Board of Education. From advocating for safe and appropriate playground equipment as PTA President to advocating for greater education funding at the county level in her role as co-President of the Durham People’s Alliance, Millicent has never shied away from a fight for equity, no matter how challenging. Millicent has the skills, determination, and experience to affect real change in Durham Public Schools and has detailed plans to fight for equity for every family — school employees, families with limited English proficiency, families of children with disabilities, and most especially, nontraditional families just like hers.

Franca Jalloh
Greensboro City Council, At-Large
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Franca is The People’s Advocate for All Citizens of Greensboro! She is proud to call Greensboro home today and is committed to serving, protecting and improving our communities as an At-Large representative, putting our beloved city first because our children deserve better. Franca, is a mother of 3 beautiful daughters, she is the Founder and Executive Director of a Grassroots Non-Profit organization. She is an educator, an advocate and most of all, a well-respected member of our Greensboro community. Franca has over 15 years of immigration legal experience as a Department of Justice Accredited Immigration Legal Representative. She has used her skills and expertise to liaise with, advocate for and assist community members with the tools they need to become self-sufficient, productive members of society.

Franca was the first female Chair of the City of Greensboro‚Äôs International Advisory Committee (I.A.C.). Additionally, she is currently serving as a City Commissioner with Greensboro‚Äôs Criminal Justice Advisory Commission (GCJAC), and she also serves as a Board member of the City of Greensboro’s Police Community Review Board (P.C.R.B). Just recently, Franca was appointed to serve on the City of Greensboro’s Ad-Hoc Committee for Disparity Studies . She is a graduate of Greensboro’s City Academy as well as the Police Citizens Academy.

She is committed to working to make Greensboro more effective and to serve as a voice for our vulnerable underserved community members particularly when it comes to Safe & Affordable Housing, Education Equity, Public Safety & Social Justice as well as Access to Better Quality of Life for all residents of Greensboro. Franca believes that Greensboro should be more inclusive and truly represent our diverse communities so that together, we can develop as a City creating opportunities for everyone who calls Greensboro home.

Shanté Burke-Hayer
Mecklenburg County District Court Judge, District 26, Seat 1
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Highly regarded for her work in and out of the courtroom, Shanté Burke-Hayer is known to be a woman of integrity and humility. She has a caring temperament with a principled and idea-driven demeanor that is essential for handling the high-pressure role of District Court Judge. She upholds a moral standard that is representative of what is expected within the criminal justice system — someone who is fair, just, and empathetic to the human experience. She believes that everyone should have access to justice and should be served with respect, dignity, and free from intimidation in the courtroom.

Growing up in rural North Carolina, in a place that is historically overlooked, underserved and unheard of, Shante’ has made Charlotte her home for the past 15 years. However, the beauty is she has been fortunate enough to live and serve the community in both areas which has equipped her to be understanding of the different walks of life that will stand before her as a District Court Judge. She has a diverse legal background with over 10 years of experience in criminal, family, juvenile law. She has handled hundreds of cases that range from child custody to child support, divorce, equitable distribution, domestic violence, abuse neglect and dependency cases, DUI cases, bond hearings, etc. Shanté is running for District Court Judge, Seat 1 simply because she has the heart to serve all people regardless of race, gender, religion, economic status, or other diverse backgrounds; and to do so respectfully, fairly and impartially so that just solutions are rendered to all.

Aminah Thompson
North Carolina Clerk of Superior Court, 14th Judicial District
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Magistrate Judge Aminah Thompson is running for Durham County Clerk of Superior Court in order to ensure equal access to the court system and its resources. Aminah has dedicated her career to public service, as she has proudly served her county as a Magistrate Judge for the past 13 years. She has presided over countless civil and landlord-tenant cases, performed hundreds of marriages, issued search and arrest warrants, involuntary commitments, ex parte domestic violence protective orders, presided over administrative traffic court, and set conditions of release. Her years on the bench, working closely with the Clerk’s office, have revealed a system in serious need of immediate attention. She has the necessary background, first hand experience, and the dedication to seize the many opportunities for improvement.

The Clerk of Superior Court functions as Administrator, Record Keeper, Comptroller, and Judge over several matters that have a direct, immediate, and long-lasting effect on the lives and legacies of citizens. Aminah’s priorities as Clerk of Superior Court are to focus on decreasing land loss in historically underrepresented communities, establish a Law Library and Resource Center, enhance the effectiveness of court operations, retrain and upskill current staff, and hire additional staff that is more representative of the community they serve. Aminah is committed to leading with compassion, equity, and integrity.

Belal Elrahal
North Carolina District Court Judge, 26th Judicial District, Seat 19
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Belal is an experienced trial attorney at the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office, and also serves in the U.S. Army Reserves as a JAG Attorney. He is running because he is committed to bringing fairness, compassion, and just outcomes for every person and every case.

He was born in Charlotte after his parents immigrated from Lebanon, and his experience growing up as a first-generation American and Muslim led him to dedicate himself to serving the community and those in need. After graduating from Davidson College, he earned his law degree at UNC Chapel Hill School of Law. Initially in private practice, Belal served clients in family, criminal, and civil cases, and was a volunteer attorney for President Obama’s “Clemency Project 2014” preparing and submitting clemency petitions for people sentenced for eligible non-violent federal offenses.

While at the Public Defender’s Office, Belal has participated in pro bono expunction clinics and “Know Your Rights” campaigns with the Mecklenburg County Council of Elders, and serves as a member of the Mecklenburg County Bar Board of Directors and Finance Committee. He has also taught new and experienced attorneys as a volunteer instructor for the UNC School of Government in District and Superior Court practice. As a first-generation American and Charlotte’s first Muslim judge, Belal will bring more representation, significant experience, and a deep commitment to public service and caring for others to the District Court Bench serving 1.1 million people.

Charles R. Smith
North Carolina House, District 44
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Charles Smith is an attorney with experience representing a variety of local government entities, as well as, experience in administrative law, corporate law, and general civil litigation. Prior transitioning to a private law practice, he worked as a prosecutor in Cumberland County, North Carolina and primarily handled domestic violence and child abuse matters. As a prosecutor, Charles was a very active advocate for survivors of domestic violence, serving on the Cumberland County Domestic Violence Task Force. He‚Äôs running to represent District 44 in the North Carolina State House of Representatives and fighting for enhanced access to affordable and quality healthcare, increasing funds in North Carolina’s public school system, and firearm safety reform. As a representative of the people of District 44, Charles will work tirelessly and transparently to ensure that the area continues to progress and be a place that all are proud to call home. He lives in Fayetteville, NC with his wife, Mary Kelly.

Aminah “Mimi” Ghaffar
North Carolina House, District 47
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Aminah is running for the North Carolina House Seat in District 47, because she believes that Robesonians deserve clean air and water, access to quality healthcare, and better education. She takes a strong stance against environmental racism and systemic oppression as an Afro-Indigenous homegrown candidate from Lumberton, NC. She believes that small farmers in Robeson County need the support of the state legislature to create sustainable agriculture programs that will benefit the environment, and increase crop yields catalyzing economic development in Robeson County. Robeson County has over 800 polluters and has been called “the outhouse of NC.” Aminah believes that this is unacceptable and Robeson County could be home to major ecotourism attractions having one of the most scenic rivers in the United States, the Lumbee River. As a former Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking advocate, Aminah is also prioritizing tackling women’s issues, in addition to continuing her advocacy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and other victims of violence in Robeson County.

Matt Hughes
North Carolina House, District 50
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Matt Hughes (he/him) has been involved in public service, Democratic politics, and progressive causes for over a decade. He currently works for Blueprint North Carolina, a non-profit network of 50+ organizations working together to provide training and resource sharing for civic engagement and fostering a healthy democracy. A native of Orange County, Matt is running to represent hometown interests in the General Assembly believing North Carolina has suffered a lost decade due to reactionary conservatives in the legislature. He believes that North Carolina is stronger and better when its people are healthier, better educated, safer, and with more money in their pockets and will work every day to ensure North Carolina delivers on the promises it has made regardless of race, gender, zipcode, or sexual orientation.

Allen Buansi
North Carolina House, District 56
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Allen Buansi is a former Chapel Hill Town Council member, and he has been a civil rights lawyer for most of his legal career. He is also a husband and a father of three. He has dedicated his career to fighting for equitable public education, environmental justice, affordable healthcare access and the protection of civil rights. These are also his top priorities as a candidate for State House, and he has successfully driven innovative policies related to these priorities during his time on the Chapel Hill Town Council.

Allen draws his inspiration from his youth in Chapel Hill, when he read about freedom fighters like Justice Thurgood Marshall and Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. They had a clear vision for what our country should be — equal and equitable for everyone with the resources every person needs to make a living and succeed in life. Allen sees himself in the service of this enduring vision, so everyone in his district and in North Carolina can thrive.

Sarah Crawford
North Carolina House, District 66
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Sarah was raised in Eastern Wake County. After attending NC State University, she has dedicated her career to serving the people of Wake and Franklin Counties through her work in nonprofits.

Sarah currently serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as CEO for TLC, founded as Tammy Lynn Center. Sarah and her husband Dan have two daughters, Emily (12) and Abby (11) and three dogs.

Carla Catalán Day
North Carolina House, District 74
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Carla is a mother and a public health advocate.Carla is running for North Carolina House, District 74 because North Carolina should work for working people and families — Black or white, Asian or LatinX, Native or newcomer — instead of the wealthy few and their powerful lobbyists. Carla knows from experience that everyone in North Carolina deserves healthcare, a quality education, and a dignified home.North Carolina’s future generations deserve progressive policies to create social, racial, and economic justice for all.

Patrick Buffkin
North Carolina Senate, District 13
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Patrick moved to Raleigh 20 years ago to attend NC State and I never looked back. Since then, I established my career as a renewable energy and utility lawyer, married the love of my life Rachael, and served the Raleigh community with a principled progressive approach. I have been an HOA president, a member of the city parks board, and for the past 2.5 years it has been my honor to represent North Raleigh as the District A member of City Council.

My work on City Council has focused on issues that make our lives better every day: housing affordability, traffic and transportation, investing in parks and infrastructure, and making government work better for members of our community. We have made great progress, but my experience on City Council has taught me that these challenges need municipal law making experience in the General Assembly. That’s why I am running for the NC Senate in District 13.

Jabaris “JKelly” Walker
Rocky Mount City Council
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Jabaris “JKelly” Walker is running for Rocky Mount City Council with a focus on creating a crime reduction strategy that focuses on bettering the communities of Rocky Mount. This plan will include statistics and data from current and previous years, a police advisory board, and a mental health resource agent. This team along with other community leaders will help educate citizens on how to be alert, watchful and active within their neighborhoods. He also plans to partner with Edgecombe and Nash County Public Schools, Edgecombe and Nash County Courts and Judicial System, and local non-profit organizations to establish a youth intervention program that will provide life skills, positive reinforcement and a safe place for social interaction.

NEW YORK

Sarah Smith
Connetquot Board of Education

Sarah Smith is a social worker, community advocate, and for the last five years has been working with individuals and veterans experiencing homelessness. Sarah is passionate about bringing the community together around making Connetquot Central School District a place where students and teachers feel like they belong. As a Connetquot alum, and having a sister currently in the district, she has a unique insight to the needs of the Connetquot community.

Sarah is running for Connetquot School Board because she believes that the district needs a fresh, modern perspective that speaks to the struggles students face today, and will face after they graduate. As a first-generation college student who graduated at the top of her class, she has first hand knowledge of what will prepare Connetquot students for success. She is excited to reimagine the processes for students to access mental health resources, and tackle inclusive hiring processes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on her community, and Sarah is certain the only way to navigate this shift is through relationships with our students, teachers, and community members. Sarah will be an enthusiastic and powerful voice, centering the student experience at all decisions.

OREGON

Simone Rede
Portland City Auditor
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Simone Rede is a Certified Internal Auditor and a Certified Government Auditing Professional with over 15 years of public service experience. She has a master’s degree in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Vassar College. She‚Äôs running for City Auditor to innovate Portland’s tradition of performance auditing, ensure health, safety, and equity as the City responds to the homelessness crisis, and advance equity across the Offices divisions. As a state and local government auditor, she has used her auditing expertise to help improve childcare safety and affordability, make the state‚Äôs largest public transit agency, TriMet, more transparent, and strengthen oversight of Metro’s $652.8 million housing bond program. Before becoming an auditor, she worked with students in Portland-area alternative high schools to reduce barriers they faced to college. She lives in northeast Portland with her wife and their three dogs. Simone is ready to be Portland’s next City Auditor.

PENNSYLVANIA

Emily Kinkead
Pennsylvania House, District 20
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Emily Kinkead serves as State Representative for Pennsylvania‚Äôs 20th Legislative district, which includes parts of Pittsburgh and Ross Township, as well as the boroughs of Avalon, Bellevue, and West View. She was first elected in 2020 and currently serves on the House Appropriations, Agriculture, Human Services, and Judiciary Committees. Before entering law school, Emily worked at a variety of organizations in Washington, DC, working on policy related to disability rights, good government reform, and medical research investment through the National Institutes of Health. Emily graduated from Pitt Law in 2016 and served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Judge Michael Wojcik of the Commonwealth Court before entering private practice. She graduated from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania in 2009 with Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Political Science and minors in Chemistry and Gender & Women’s Studies.

La’Tasha D. Mayes
Pennsylvania House, District 24
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La’Tasha D. Mayes, MSPPM (she/her), is running for Pennsylvania State Representative in House District 24 in Pittsburgh with decades of visionary leadership, policy expertise and service to the Greater Pittsburgh Region. La’Tasha is a nationally recognized leader in the field of Reproductive Justice, human rights and leadership development for Black women and girls.

La’Tasha is the Founder of New Voices for Reproductive Justice and served as President & CEO for 18 years growing her organization from a grassroots collective to a powerhouse organizing and advocacy force dedicated to the health and well-being of Black women, femmes, girls and gender-expensive folx. New Voices has operations in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Philadelphia and has served and organized over 250,000 people since 2004.

La’Tasha most recently served as Commissioner on the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs and she completed the Higher Heights Senior Leadership Fellowship in 2021. La’Tasha also served as the inaugural Vice Chair of the Allegheny County Human Relations Commission, as President of Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh, served on the Board of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania and she is a Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

La’Tasha is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in business, political science and women’s studies, she earned her graduate degree in public policy at Carnegie Mellon University and completed the University of Pennsylvania Executive Program for Social Impact Strategy.

La’Tasha believes in the power of community organizing to change our communities and our democracy.

Martell Covington
Pennsylvania House, District 24
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Born and raised in the Homewood area of Pittsburgh, Martell Covington served as a legislative aide to Democratic Leader, Pennsylvania State Senator Jay Costa. Martell’s family founded Community Empowerment Association (CEA), a culturally targeted social service organization with over twenty-five years of service to the east side of Pittsburgh. Martell grew up involved in CEA’s activities, leading him to develop, and later leverage, long standing grassroots relationships and community organizing skills to advocate for the people in Homewood and surrounding communities.

Martell is a proud graduate of Pittsburgh Central Catholic and Howard University. In 2018, he was a New Pittsburgh Courier Fab 40 honoree and member of Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 under 40 class. Martell is also a member of New Leaders Council- Pittsburgh Chapter 2019 class and a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh’s Leadership Development Initiative XXVII (2019–2020).

Martell is a football and softball coach for Homewood Community Sports, and Founder and President of the Black Viking Alumni Society of Central Catholic. He is a United States-based board member of Open Field International, a youth soccer leadership development organization working in Cameroon, West Africa and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Martell is currently Board Chair for Community Empowerment Association and most recently joined the Kelly Strayhorn Theater Board of Directors.

In July of 2021, Martell was elected as Vice President for the Young Democrats of Allegheny County where he currently still serves.

Martell hopes to build on his love for community education, civic engagement, and developing authentic relationships through sports and other out of school programming, while bringing community engagement to the forefront of his community. He hopes to amplify the forgotten issues of the communities in his district.

Jessica Benham
Pennsylvania House, District 36
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Jessica Benham is the State Representative for Pennsylvania House District 36, covering portions of the City of Pittsburgh and its suburbs. Jessica was elected in November 2020 and is serving her first term. As a state representative, she has focused on fighting for access to healthcare, a clean and healthy environment, fair funding for education, and LGBTQ and disability rights.

Since her election in 2020, Jessica has brought hundreds of thousands of dollars into the district to invest in infrastructure, green spaces, education, violence prevention, and public safety. Her office has expanded services for seniors by hosting senior fairs, health clinics, and ensuring that everyone can access COVID-19 vaccines through their local pharmacies. When the unemployment system failed Pennsylvanians who had lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jessica publicly stood up to the Governor’s Department of Labor and Industry, demanding and delivering benefits to workers.Jessica is an alum of the University of Pittsburgh, where she was involved in the effort to organize a union of graduate workers. She knows firsthand the importance of organizing and the power that collective bargaining can have. Jessica is the first openly Autistic state legislator in PA and the first out LGBTQ+ woman in the General Assembly.

Ismail Smith-Wade-El
Pennsylvania House, District 49
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Izzy Smith-Wade-El is the President of the council of the City of Lancaster, having just won reelection to his second term. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University, Izzy returned to his hometown of Lancaster and began working in Lancaster’s nonprofit sector to deliver relief to vulnerable people. Today, he serves as a program specialist at LanCoMyHome, where he coordinates services and support for Lancaster county’s housing insecure community. Most recently, Izzy launched “Refresh Lancaster,” a mobile hygiene unit which delivers showers, social services, and medical attention to homeless Lancastrians.

During his four years on Council, Izzy has helped secure the largest investments in affordable housing and lead removal that the City of Lancaster has ever seen. He championed the decriminalization of cannabis, a completely revamped use-of-force policy for police officers, and unprecedented police accountability in response to community requests. As the vice chair of the Lancaster County Democratic Party and an organizer at heart, Izzy has knocked doors with candidates up and down the ballot every year, from school board to Congress. He has stood on picket lines with striking Kelloggs workers and stood with PA’s educators to demand fair funding for public schools. He’s raised his voice to protect abortion access, defend Black Lives, welcome immigrants and refugees, and denounce antisemitism.

Izzy is primarying 16-term incumbent Mike Sturla to represent Pennsylvania’s 96th House District in Harrisburg so that all of Lancaster’s working families have a friend in the fight.

Meg Rosenfeld
Pennsylvania House, District 139
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Meg Rosenfeld is an educator, legal professional, and PA victims advocate who places the greater good of humanity above partisan politics. Through her leadership roles in schools, she knows that building community is vital and that all perspectives are valuable when tackling a problem. Her legal experience informs her understanding of how nuances in legislation directly impact lives. As a mother of a child who passed away from terminal brain cancer in 2012, she and her family know firsthand that the lack of access to local healthcare in rural communities is at a crisis level.

When Meg saw that she could be the change needed for our neglected rural communities she stepped up. Flipping the PA House must happen in this election cycle to prevent more regression. In today’s divisive political climate, Meg is focused on building stronger communities through infrastructure repairs, fighting for access to affordable local healthcare, funding emergency medical services, establishing before and after school care in every public school, expanding career options through technical and community college initiatives, and supporting environmental conservation. She will be diligent in her efforts to create policies that support raising the standard of living in rural communities and reflect her commitment to social justice. The local needs of her neighbors are what motivate her desire to create meaningful changes at the State level. Meg works, volunteers, and resides in Milford, PA with her 6 children and husband.

Carol Kazeem
Pennsylvania House, District 159
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Carol Kazeem, a native of Chester city is a wife and mother of three. Carol attended the Chester Upland School District up until her high school where she graduated from Ridley High school. Carol worked in the healthcare field for over 13 years in various ways. From serving as a caregiver to specializing in mental and behavioral health with all ages. Carol continuously services her community through her current profession as a trauma informed outreach worker and gun violence interrupter. Carol is currently pursuing her education and future career in law. Carol is known to many as an activist who advocates for many across Pennsylvania and beyond in many levels in society. Driven by Carol’s own personal experiences and of her fellow neighbors in and out of Chester; Carol desires to create additional programs and support that will improve the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the 159th district and across Pennsylvania. Carol will continue to openly advocate for positive changes not only as an activist on the ground but as your next State Representative in Harrisburg. Carol will fight for a $15 minimum wage, education equity, combating gun violence, ending mass incarceration, housing for all, and environmental justice. Carol prioritizes the needs of the people in her district and stands by,” no more excuses over justice”.

David Brown
Pennsylvania House, District 166
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David Brown is a resident of Havertown, PA who teaches music alongside his wife, Kaitlyn. Activated politically by the rise of Donald Trump, David dove headfirst into the world of campaigns, managing and winning races to elect some of the most active Democrats in Pennsylvania. Now, David is stepping up to run for Pennsylvania State Representative of the 166th District to bring the fight for progressive values to Harrisburg.

David is dedicated to fighting climate change and passing meaningful legislation to protect the residents of Delaware County. Central to his platform is calling for a ban on all new fracking in Pennsylvania, an issue that hits close to home because David’s own mother lives in the blast radius of the Mariner East Pipeline. David is also running because he cares about workers rights, including strengthening labor unions and working together with labor leaders when drafting legislation. He believes that working families deserve to make a living wage, and wants to start with not only raising the statewide minimum wage, but indexing that to the cost of living to guarantee wages continue to rise for our most vulnerable workers. After seeing firsthand the recent attacks on voting rights in Pennsylvania David is running to protect your vote starting at the local level. He believes in common-sense solutions to guarantee that every vote is counted and that every voice is heard around the state.

Rick Krajewski
Pennsylvania House, District 188
Volunteer with Rick

Rick Krajewski is the State Representative for the 188th district representing West and SouthWest Philadelphia. Rick was elected in 2020 on a bold progressive platform of ending mass incarceration, fully funding schools, and investing in a Green New Deal for Pennsylvania. Rick Krajewski won his primary election in June of 2020, and even though he didn’t take office until January 2021, he began leading and serving the community right away. In July 2021 Rick announced he was continuing his campaign’s mutual aid program that assisted hundreds of families for months in gaining access to weekly fresh food boxes and other essential goods and services. In the fall of 2020 Rick teamed up with Councilmember Jamie Gauthier to launch an unprecedented voter turnout effort across West and SouthWest Philadelphia. Since taking office Rick has continued to use his campaign apparatus to serve and organize across the 188th district. In the spring of 2021 Rick and Jamie teamed up again to launch #VaccinateWestSouthWest and turned the campaign door knocking program into a informational vaccine canvas going door to door to speak with neighbors about the Covid vaccine. In his first term, Rick and his legislative office have worked tirelessly to serve the people of the 188th district. In his first term, Rick’s team served hundreds of constituents assisting community members with State related issues. Since taking office in January of 2021, Rick has held at least one open townhall every month and over the summer held a series of on your porch town halls meeting neighbors and constituents directly on their porches. Rick is determined to continue his work both in the district and in Harrisburg and is running for re-election to build a community where all of us can thrive.

Andre D. Carroll
Pennsylvania House, District 201
Volunteer with Andre

Andre D. Carroll is a community leader born and raised in Philadelphia. He grew up two blocks from Belfield recreation center in the house he now owns and amongst the community he still believes in. Andre was raised by his grandmother. A beautiful mentor that lovingly stepped up, in place of young parents overwhelmed by the harmful effects of incarceration and addiction. It was after the death of his grandmother that Andre, still very young himself, committed himself to provide and secure a brighter future for his younger brother. Friends and close relatives share stories of Andre’s calm, determined demeanor. Andre graduated from Roosevelt Middle and Germantown High School. He grew up fast with little time for anything outside of school and work. After high school Andre completed the workforce development Year-Up program. He later attended Pierce College and Temple University for degrees in business administration and economics.

Paul Prescod
Pennsylvania Senate, District 8
Volunteer with Paul

I am a history teacher and a union activist. My father, also a teacher, emigrated from Barbados and taught me the importance of education and equality.

My goal has always been to help win power and dignity for working people. As a student at Temple University, I stood in solidarity with Temple Hospital nurses and other union workers. As a teacher in Philadelphia’s public schools, I’ve been on the front lines fighting for the schools our students deserve. In 2020, I worked with local labor unions to pass the Essential Worker Protection Act, which prevents employers from retaliating against workers who report violations of COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Before and during the pandemic, I’ve been committed to mobilizing community support for essential workers like UPS drivers, sanitation workers, and postal workers. Through my work in organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America, I’ve worked tirelessly to build the broad and diverse coalitions we need to win real change.

As an employee in Philadelphia’s public schools, and a longtime resident of West Philadelphia, I’ve witnessed firsthand the deep inequality that affects our state and cities. Young students, families, and educators are facing the highest burdens of unfair policies while wealthy corporations benefit the most, and it’s time for that to change. Working people need more, and I’m running for PA State Senate to fight for the future we deserve.

SOUTH CAROLINA

ReZsaun Lewis
South Carolina House, District 97
Volunteer with ReZsaun

ReZsaun Lewis is a husband, father, veteran, educator, and community leader. He has served his country and community for many years, holding various roles and titles throughout his career. However, the first thing their friends and family will tell you is that he has never forgotten where they came from or who he’s been fighting for. Committed to change in our world, ReZsaun has set his standards high and will not stop fighting until a proper balance has been reached.

A proud native of North Charleston, SC, ReZsaun has proven to be a leader in his community and schools via his work in community development and youth empowerment. ReZsaun has served his country as a paralegal in the US Army and the classroom as an elementary school teacher. While in the classroom, ReZsaun learned about the vast and, at times, unfair expectations placed on educators and the lack of resources available to them. This knowledge was one of the leading causes that ReZsaun champions as he pursues office.

He and his wife Latoya reside in Summerville, South Carolina, raising their five children. ReZsaun serves his community as the Executive Director of Lowcountry Youth Services, a nonprofit which aims to create quality programs for youth in the Charleston area. ReZsaun fights for what he believes in and can work with anyone to achieve the larger goals of the people he serves. He doesn’t allow party or politics to stop what’s best for the greater good.