To entice Philadelphians to get out to the polls Nov. 3, a local foundation is offering a $10,000 prize for one lucky voter. Sign us up. But here are a few other reasons LGBT voters should fulfill their civic duty Tuesday.
The biggest race is, of course, for mayor. Democrat Jim Kenney is endorsed by PGN and, with the city’s heavy Democratic majority, is already the presumptive winner. Kenney has been a longtime and very strong LGBT ally; we’re looking forward to what Kenney, if elected, will bring to the city and the LGBT community in this new leadership role.
Also important for the LGBT community is a ballot question that would make permanent the Office of LGBT Affairs. Though presumptive next mayor Jim Kenney has pledged to keep the office regardless, a “yes” vote for this question will ensure its future regardless of the views of any future mayoral administrations.
Philadelphians will also choose seven at-Large City Council candidates. The five Democratic nominees — Blondell Reynolds Brown, Bill Greenlee, Derek Green, Helen Gym and Alan Domb — are shoe-ins, and the two remaining seats are designated for non-majority-party candidates. PGN has endorsed Republicans David Oh and Al Taubenberger. While neither has a perfect record on LGBT issues, they have demonstrated a willingness to work with the community, creative ideas for advancing LGBT equality and a capacity to evolve; for instance, Taubenberger, who used to oppose marriage equality, told PGN this week he now is in favor of same-sex marriage.
At the state level, PGN endorsed three Democratic candidates for Supreme Court: Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht. All three have demonstrated an understanding of and commitment to LGBT equality, as well as an appreciation for the court system’s capacity to better protect LGBT citizens. Likewise, PGN has endorsed Alice Beck Dubow for Superior Court and Michael Wojcik for Commonwealth Court.
Several LGBT candidates are up for election: Abbe Fletman and Chris Mallios for Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and Dan Clifford for Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. Clifford is the only openly LGBT candidate for county office in Southeastern Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia. Also notable is the re-election bid of Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes, who in 2013 issued the first-ever marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Pennsylvania; he is being challenged by a candidate who has pledged to refuse to issue same-sex-marriage licenses.
Each of our endorsed candidates has pledged to protect and advance LGBT rights. To help them make that promise a reality, all we have to do is head out to the polls Tuesday. You likely won’t win $10,000, but you can do your part to enrich our community’s future.