Democratic Nominees

Mayor

Cherelle Parker

Cherelle Parker, a proud Philadelphia native, exemplifies resilience and dedication. Born in West Oak Lane and raised by her loving grandparents, Cherelle transformed her life’s challenges into opportunities. As a dedicated public servant, she’s been an advocate for education, having herself graduated from Philadelphia public schools, earned a bachelor’s from Lincoln University, and a master’s from the University of Pennsylvania. With a decade of service in Harrisburg, Cherelle made history as the youngest African-American woman in the State Legislature and secured millions for Philadelphia schools. Transitioning to City Council in 2016, she championed public safety, economic opportunities, and stabilizing neighborhoods. As a mayoral candidate, Cherelle represents not just the potential to be Philadelphia’s first female mayor but also a symbol of hope and progress for the city.

City Council At-Large

City Council At-Large members are elected citywide and represent the whole city. You can vote for up to 5 candidates. Please vote for all 5 Democratic nominees.

Isaiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas, born and raised in Northwest Philadelphia, brings a range of perspectives and experience from his work in non-profit, government, and private sectors to his role on Council, where he chairs the Streets Committee and is Vice Chair of the Children and Youth Committee, while also serving on several other committees to make Philadelphia work better for every family.

K. Gilmore Richardson

Katherine Gilmore Richardson is the youngest woman ever elected to City Council, and in her first term, has passed legislation focused on transparency and accountability in city government, improving public schools, and integrating sustainable investment decisions into the City’s Pension Fund operations.

Rue
Landau

Rue Landau, who if elected would be the first openly LGBTQ person elected to City Council, has a background as an activist and housing organizer who worked as an attorney at Community Legal Services, winning lawsuits for low-income renters, and also served as the executive director of the Human Relations Commission and Fair Housing Commission.

Nina
Ahmad

Nina Ahmad, with her background as a scientist and proven leadership in Philadelphia – from her role as Deputy Mayor for Public Engagement to her work on key city initiatives – is poised to bring a unique blend of expertise and dedication to Philadelphia’s City Council.

Jim
Harrity

Jim Harrity, elected to City Council in November 2022, has a record of service from auditing in the City Controller’s Office to being the Political Director for Pennsylvania’s Democratic Party, and is deeply committed to mentoring local youth and aiding those seeking recovery in Kensington, where he lives with his family.

District Council

City Council At-Large members are elected citywide and represent the whole city. You can vote for up to 5 candidates and we endorse the following well qualified candidates.

Mark Squilla

Mark Squilla represents City Council’s First District, a diverse and growing area that stretches along the Delaware River from his native South Philadelphia across Center City, Chinatown, Northern Liberties, Fishtown, Kensington and Port Richmond. First elected in 2011, Councilmember Squilla’s life in public service began nearly two decades earlier, when he brought his Whitman neighbors together to save their local park, Burke Playground, and has since worked to bring together the best of each community’s tradition and new life to create a Philadelphia that works for everyone, while serving as Chair of Council’s Streets Committee and immersing himself into efforts such as the revitalization of the Reading Viaduct and the planning work of the Central Delaware Advisory Group.

Jeffery “jay” Young Jr

Jeffery “Jay” Young Jr., Esq., a deeply committed North Philadelphian, boasts a rich history of service in city government. As a Partner with Legis Group LLC, he specializes in real estate, land use, and zoning, while also guiding individuals and businesses through legal intricacies. An alumnus of the esteemed Girard College and Temple University, Jeffery’s dedication to public service was fostered through pivotal roles in the offices of City Councilmembers Darrell L. Clarke and Blondell Reynolds Brown, as well as the Managing Director’s Office during the John Street Administration. Serving on numerous boards and commissions, including the Mayor’s Commission on African American Males and the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation, Jeffery’s leadership and passion for advocacy make him a formidable force within the Democratic Party.

Row Offices

In Philadelphia, a row office is an independently elected administrative office that is responsible for a specific function of city government. The row offices up for election this cycle are the City Commissioners, the City Controller, Sheriff, and Register of Wills. These offices are separate from the Mayor’s Office and City Council and are accountable directly to the voters.

Omar
Sabir

City Commissioner

City Commissioner Omar Sabir is dedicated to empowering and educating communities about the importance of civic engagement and increasing voter turnout, particularly in historically disadvantaged areas.

Lisa
Deeley

City Ciommissioner

City Commissioner Lisa Deeley prioritizes bringing the electoral process to citizens, has extensive experience in outreach, and led the department through the administration of the 2020 presidential election during a pandemic.

Christy Brady

City Controller

Christy Brady, a certified public accountant and dedicated public servant with nearly 30 years of experience in the Philadelphia Office of the City Controller, is committed to protecting citizens from fraud, waste, and abuse while improving government operations.

John Sabatina

Register of Wills

John Sabatina, a dedicated U.S. Army veteran with over 30 years in estate law, is an esteemed candidate for Philadelphia’s Register of Wills, bringing a legacy of public service, deep expertise, and a commitment to ensuring professionalism and compassionate support for those navigating their loved ones’ final wishes.

Rochelle Bilal

Sheriff

Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, the first African American woman elected as Philadelphia’s Sheriff, has championed office modernization, community engagement, and transparency, introducing pivotal reforms and prioritizing public safety and efficiency since 2020.

Supreme Court Justice

Daniel McCaffery

Judge Daniel McCaffery is a distinguished veteran and accomplished trial judge, committed to promoting justice and equality for all. With extensive experience in both military and legal sectors, he is uniquely qualified to serve on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and make a positive impact on our justice system. Judge McCaffery’s lifelong commitment to progressive values, from advocating for Democratic causes to fighting for equal rights, demonstrates his dedication to making a difference for Pennsylvania and its citizens.

Superior Court Judge

The Pennsylvania Superior Court is an intermediate appellate court that hears appeals from the courts of common pleas in the state. Judges on the Superior Court are elected statewide. You can vote for up to 2 candidates.

Timika Lane

Judge Timika Lane, a former teacher and experienced lawyer, was elected to the Philadelphia Court of the Common Pleas in 2013, where she now presides over complex litigation jury trials in the Civil Division while maintaining her commitment to public service through her involvement in various legal associations and community organizations.

Jill Beck

Jill Beck, a resident of Allegheny County, began her career as a counselor and forensic interviewer for abused and neglected children, then became a lawyer at KidsVoice representing up to 225 children at a time. She then spent 10 years as a law clerk for the Superior Court and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. In 2019, she became a civil litigator at Blank Rome, where she continued to serve the underserved by representing members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and victims of various forms of violence.

Commonwealth Court Judge

Matt Wolf

Matt Wolf serves as the Supervising Civil Judge for the Philadelphia Municipal Court. He skillfully led the court through the challenges posed by the pandemic and initiated the highly regarded eviction diversion program. Furthermore, he has prioritized promoting equity and improving access to justice within the court.

Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge

The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas is a state trial court that hears civil and criminal cases, enforces judgments and orders, and provides resources for self-represented litigants. These positions are elected citywide and you can vote for up to 13 candidates.

Natasha Taylor-Smith

Tamika Washington

Samantha Williams

Kay Yu

John Padova

Chesley Lightsey

Brian McLaughlin

Damaris Garcia

Caroline Turner

Jessica Brown

James Eisenhower

Elvin Ross

Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge

The Philadelphia Municipal Court is a local court in Philadelphia responsible for handling minor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil disputes involving smaller monetary amounts. These positions are elected citywide and you can vote for up to 2 candidates.