2022 is Right Around the Corner!

EVERY election is important. Let's make some more noise!

Club board member Chris Zurawsky inspiring some noise this past Election Day.

Our 2022 Annual Meeting featuring Democratic US Senate Candidates is coming up. Watch this page for details!

Summer Pop-Up-Politicking Pot-Luck June 5!


Pop-Up Political Picnic in the Park! | Saturday June 5 from 1 to 4 PM | Vietnam Vets Pavilion in Schenley Park

Masks recommended | Guidelines for gathering size and safe distancing will be followed

Time to catch up in person! | We’ll provide drinks and packaged snacks | You bring whatever else you want.

2021 Elections, Endorsements, and Events Information

2021 CANDIDATE FORUMS

and ENDORSEMENT  ELECTION

From Our 2021 Primary Election Voters Guide:

2021 Endorsements for Court of Common Pleas:

Bruce Beemer, Jessel Costa, Nicola Henry-Taylor, George Heym, Elliot Howsie, Sabrina Korbel, Lisa Middleman, Tiffany Sizemore, and Chelsa Wagner

Watch Saturday’s forum video

2021 Endorsements for All Other Offices and the Referenda:

Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Maria McLaughlin
Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court: David Spurgeon and Amanda Green-Hawkins
Pennsylvania Superior Court: Jill Beck
Allegheny County Sheriff: Kevin Kraus
Pittsburgh Mayor: Ed Gainey
City Council District 8: Erika Strassburger
School Board District 1: Sylvia Wilson
School Board District 5: Terry Kennedy
Solitary Confinement Referendum: Yes
No-Knock Warrant Ban: Yes
Equal Protection Amendment: Yes
Emergency Declaration Amendment: No
Legislative Resolution Amendment: No

The results are also on  our Facebook page and will be in our 2021 Voters Guide mailed to Democratic voters throughout the 14th Ward.

Common Pleas Judicial Candidates Questionnaires for your review.

FIVE referenda to be voted on  May 18! Information here.

Courts have a vital role to play in everyone’s lives. Learn about Pennsylvania’s courts here.

Please help to support  the Voters Guide:

Join our  2021 Online Fundraiser!

Because…

The 2021 ANNUAL MEETING was SUNDAY 31 JANUARY

Watch the recording:

Introductions: 0:00-6:30 | Video Presentations: 6:30-33:00 | Panel Presentations and Discussion: 33:00-1:27 | About  the 2021 Club Endorsements: 1:27-1:35 | Thanks, recognitions, and announcements: 1:35-1:44

This year’s Spring Primary affords us a unique opportunity: the ability to respond to the stark reality of social and racial injustice with our vote. With the candidates for Mayor, City Council, School Board, County Sheriff, Magisterial District Judge, and Common Pleas and Appellate Courts all on the ballot, it is time to view this election through the lens of Justice.

The Barbara Daly Danko Political Forum this year will be devoted to exactly that. Discussion will include ending cash bail, electing anti-racist judges, police and public safety, and protecting our vote.

Members are creating a video highlighting “Activities in the 14th Ward that Bend the Arc Towards Justice.”

Speakers included Marie Norman of the “Order of the Phoenix” organizing group, and David Harris and Jerry Dickinson of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law; followed by a panel presentation and discussion with Rep Summer Lee, Gwen’s Girls CEO Dr. Kathi Elliott, and Executive Director Jam Hammond of the City of Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations.

ANNUAL ENDORSEMENT MEETING MEMBER MATTERS:

To vote in the 2021 Primary Endorsement Election: members make sure we have your email address. For household memberships: one email per member of the household. Send them here.

Remember, our courts have a vital role to play in everyone’s lives.

Learn about Pennsylvania’s courts here.

MEET THE 2021 BOARD AND OFFICERS!

The proposed By-Laws changes adjusting timing for the Club Primary Election Endorsement vote were approved.


Get the 2021 Club Newsletter!


IN THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS,

You have three basic options: vote early, vote in-person or vote by mail.

1. Vote Early: You can vote early in person or if you received a mail-in ballot you can bring it with you and put it in a drop box at the locations and times listed on our Current Elections page.

2. Vote In Person: If you’re comfortable voting in person, plan to do that. Decide now when you’ll head to the polls on Tuesday, May 18 and create an event in your phone’s calendar. For example: “VOTE!! on May 18th @ 8-9 am.” Then convince a friend to go with you, grab a mask on your way out the door, and make your voice heard! For information on what to expect at your polling station and the location of your polling station, click here

3. Vote By Mail: Applications may be completed online. Or, in the alternative, you can download and complete an absentee ballot application and mail it to the Elections Office (604 County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15219). Your application must be RECEIVED by 5 PM on May 11, 2021 to vote in the primary election.

Note: When your mail-in ballot arrives, fill it out and drop it in the mail as soon as possible. If you wait until the week of the election, your ballot may not arrive in time to be counted.

FAQs:

  • Not sure if you’re registered at your current Pennsylvania address? Check your voter registration status here.
  • Need to register to vote at your current Pennsylvania address? Fix that now by clicking here
  • Need to find your polling place? Click here
  • Changed your mind and decided to vote in person (so your vote will be counted on election day, for example)? If so, remember to take your mail-in ballot with you, and give it to the poll-workers before you vote!
  • Wondering where your ballot is? Click here.
  • What are the important election dates? Click here.

2020 Endorsements!

MAIL-IN BALLOTS. Find out more.     Need Assistance? See JFCS of Pittsburgh’s List

2020 PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER’S GUIDE

UPDATE ON MAIL-IN VOTING >>> Allegheny County is going to send EVERY registered Allegheny County voter an absentee ballot application.

You may still apply through VotesPA.

Watch This for the  Step-By-Step:

PGH 14 WIDC 2020 ENDORSEMENTS:

U.S. House of Representatives District 18: Mike Doyle

PA Attorney General: Josh Shapiro

PA Auditor General: Michael Lamb

PA Treasurer: Joseph Torsella

PA Senate District 43: Jay Costa, Jr.

PA House District 23: Dan Frankel

PA House District 24: Ed Gainey

PA House District 34: Summer Lee

Who’s running? Here’s a list.

Couldn’t connect for the Candidate Forum on March 29th? Here are the candidate videos.

Out of concern for everyone’s health and safety during the COVID-19 outbreak …

We cancelled our annual fundraiser. We hope to see you live and in-person next year

Here is Pittsburgh’s own Howie Alexander Trio, who we booked for our cancelled fundraiser. We paid them anyway because we know many artists and freelancers have recently lost business.  Think about booking them when social events are safe again!

Consider sponsoring or contributing?

Your contributions support our work throughout the year, including our Annual Meeting, Barbara Danko Political Forum, Endorsement Candidate Forum and Election, and the primary election Voters Guide.

Club endorsements have been shown to increase endorsed candidates primary results over 5%.



Information on covid-19:

Now, some information on how we can all help our communities manage the covid-19 outbreak and keep the impact to a minimum by “flattening the curve”:

Be informed: There will be a lot of conflicting information during this outbreak. Follow any directives or recommendations from the following sources:

Federal: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

State: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

County: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Health-Department/Resources/COVID-19/COVID-19.aspx

Things to note:
Stay home if you are sick! 
You can communicate through email if you need to be at work meetings or events.

Practice self-care and other mental health wellness! Check out this resource from the CDC 
And use this resource in times of distress: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

WASH YOUR HANDS!  Even without an outbreak, you should always wash your hands. Check out this article on ways to greet people without shaking hands.

 

Democratic Debate Watch Party!

14th WIDC members, friends and folks just checking out this website – you are ALL invited to watch the Democratic Debate together this Weds. June 26, 8-11pm at Goodfellas Restaurant & Tavern located at 1915 McCague St, Swissvale, Pennsylvania 15218.

The party starts at 8:00, the debate starts at 9:00. $10 at the door buys you delicious eats, plus there’s a cash bar, plus debate bingo! Goodfellas has multiple TVs, tons of parking, and it’s handicapped accessible. What’s not to love??

Grab your friends and bring ’em along. We’re going to need all hands on deck between now and 2020!

Important: Please click on this link to the Facebook event page and choose “going” if you’re planning to attend so the organizers can order the right amount of food! Thank you!

Co-hosts:
Order of the Phoenix
Swing Left
Project Battleground
Women’s March Pittsburgh
Indivisible Pittsburgh
Indivisible Forest Hills
Indivisible Grassroots Pittsburgh
FIERCE: Pittsburgh and SWPA
14th Ward Independent Democratic Club  << hey! That’s us! YAY!!
Ascend PAC
UNITE

Here are the 2019 PGH 14 WIDC Endorsements!

Get our 2019 Primary Election Voters’ Guide now!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          

April 28, 2019

CONTACT

14th WARD CLUB ENDORSES JENKINS for ALLEGHENY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

BETHANY HALLAM ENDORSED for ALLEGHENY COUNTY COUNCIL AT-LARGE

Cherylie Fuller Endorsed for City Council District 9

Pam Harbin is the choice for School Board District 4

15 Candidates for office and 3 surrogates spoke to PGH 14 WIDC members and interested citizens.

Right in the middle of the 14th Ward, the Pittsburgh Board of Education District 4 contest has been very competitive. Both Anna Batista and Pam Harbin presented their experience to the PGH 14 WIDC endorsement forum attendees and faced many questions about charter schools and the efficient use of Board resources. Club members decided that Pam Harbin is the Club’s endorsee for School Board District 4.

The voting members of the 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club have endorsed attorney Turahn Jenkins for Allegheny County District Attorney. Recent concerns and organizing over police use of force and accountability were evidently rendered into action to advocate for change in the DA’s office.

Recent elections and the conduct of the federal government have motivated many women to run for office. SW PA has its share of new and savvy women candidates, too, with opportunity and fairness for ex-offenders, environmental quality, and the voice of under-represented people in the community in governing decisions being priority issues. Club membership was sufficiently impressed with Bethany Hallam’s enthusiasm and understanding of the issues as to vote to endorse her for Allegheny County Council Member At-Large.

The Endorsement Forum attendees heard from three candidates for the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas: George Heym, Brian Samuel Malkin, and Mary McGinley. Ms. McGinley got the endorsement.

At its 55th annual Endorsement Election Forum today, the Club also endorsed community activist, volunteer, and retired transit operator Cherylie Fuller for City Council District 9. The city council district includes Regent Square, Park Place, and North Point Breeze in the 14th Ward. Several attendees voiced concern and asked about inclusion in the new East End development, affordable housing opportunities, and developer political influence in District 9 and throughout the City of Pittsburgh.

Only one candidate for PA Superior Court received at least 40% of endorsement votes cast for that office: USW Associate Counsel Amanda Green Hawkins. She is the endorsed candidate for PA Superior Court.

PGH 14 WIDC Board members Karen Hochberg and Heidi Norman, the moderators of the forum, managed an efficient agenda to give fair time to 18 candidates for government offices. Out of concern for fairness, each candidate was allowed 5 minutes for their speeches and questions. Most candidates stayed after their turn at the forum to speak out in the hallways with those who had more to discuss than the five minutes for each candidate could allow.

The PGH 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club works to encourage progressive Democratic candidates for elected office and supports open, inclusive, and transparent government. The Club further advocates for environmental, economic, and social justice. Questions from Club members and attendees at the April 28 Endorsement Forum frequently probed into candidates’ records and stands on these issues.

With more than 18,000 registered Democrats, the 14th Ward is the largest ward in the City of Pittsburgh and second largest in the state.  The Ward includes all or part of Squirrel Hill, Point Breeze, North Point Breeze, Park Place, Regent Square, and Swisshelm Park.

The Club, which is not affiliated with the Democratic Committee of Allegheny County, is the oldest independent Democratic club in the country and has made annual candidate endorsements for 55 years.  Its endorsements are printed in a Voters’ Guide and mailed to Democratic voters in the ward.  The endorsements are also posted at the club’s website http://www.pgh14widc.org

The Club’s open endorsement process allows members to hear candidates present their positions before casting their votes for the office seekers who best match their values and priorities, and have best responded to important issues.

Here is the club’s full slate of endorsed candidates:

Pennsylvania Superior Court: Amanda Green Hawkins
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas: Mary McGinley
Allegheny County Council At-Large: Bethany Hallam
Allegheny County Council District 11: Paul Klein
Allegheny County Executive: Rich Fitzgerald
Allegheny County District Attorney: Turahn Jenkins
Allegheny County Controller: Chelsa Wagner
Allegheny County Treasurer: John Weinstein
City of Pittsburgh Controller: Michael Lamb
City of Pittsburgh Council District 5: Corey O’Connor
City of Pittsburgh Council District 9: Cherylie Fuller
Pittsburgh Board of Public Education District 4: Pam Harbin

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Get our 2019 Primary Election Voters’ Guide now!

 

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