TRANSPARENCY

We believe in transparency in all aspects of our organization. This includes our endorsement process, evaluation of candidates and contributions to our group.

GRASSROOTS ENGAGEMENT

We reach out to the residents of Mt. Airy to be sure that their voter registration is up to date, they are informed about voting-by-mail, understand deadlines for each election, and provide them with election resources. We are a trusted source of election information and endorsements. In addition, we participate in neighborhood fairs and events to reach out to our neighbors.

COLLABORATION

We work with democratic organizations throughout Philadelphia to advance progressive candidates and initiatives.

ENDORSEMENTS

We evaluate the candidates running for elected office and investigate ballot questions. We then hold a democratic election among members to determine the candidates and questions we will back.

OUR HISTORY

Mt Airy Democrats, formerly the 22nd Ward Open Caucus, was originally founded in 2019 by a small group of 22nd Ward committee persons who met independently to determine how to work with 22nd Ward Leader Cindy Bass. However, these committee persons were marginalized by Bass, who objected to them meeting independently, accusing them of being disruptive for offering resolutions and asking questions regarding their participation in the operations of the Ward. She refused to recognize them at Ward Meetings or provide them election campaign materials.  She stated they would have to prepare their own materials.   

In response, the group expanded the 22nd Ward Open Caucus’ purpose to researching and endorsing candidates, producing materials and performing door-to-door canvassing in their divisions weeks before the Primary and General Elections.

Representing only six of 29 divisions, these efforts produced 26.9% of Joe Biden’s vote total in the 22nd Ward in 2020; in 2024, seven divisions accounted for 31.1% of Kamala Harris’ votes in the 22d Ward.

As the COVID pandemic gave rise to online Ward meetings in 2020, participants in the open caucus were not provided the links to Zoom meetings for two years. On one occasion, when the link was leaked, Bass kicked out all the Caucus members. A 2022 lawsuit challenging her actions was ruled in the ejected members favor, the judge stating that duly elected officials could not be summarily dismissed by the Party.  Despite the court action the members were again dismissed by the Ward Leader in 2024 with support of the Democratic City Committee, for alleged support of non-democratic candidates in the 2023 election. Twice rejected, the members of the 22nd Ward Democratic Caucus voted to become the Mt Airy Democrats in Spring 2024 and expand membership to residents. They pledged to continue their role and activities as the elected Committee Persons in their divisions, committed to building a grassroots political organization to strengthen and energize the Democratic Party by becoming the REAL Democratic Party for Mt Airy’s 22nd Ward.

Fred Dedrick
Jason Hartwig
Nate Holt
Michael Huff
Lori Jardines

Michael Kleiner
Alex Reusing
Maurice Sampson
Michael Swayze