Philadelphia 22nd Ward Open Caucus Endorsements

Blue Voter Guide
2023 General Election

Democratic voters who believe in a democratic ward system in Philadelphia.

22nd Ward Open Caucus Endorsements

The Chestnut Hill Local
Press Release
Nov. 2, 2023

The 22nd Ward Open Caucus, composed of duly elected independent Democratic committee people and residents in the 22nd Ward (Mt. Airy), has announced its endorsements for the General Election on Nov. 7 following member discussion and a vote.

Endorsements in Pennsylvania U.S. Senate Race

City & State PA
By Justin Sweitzer
May 16, 2022

Pennsylvania’s 2022 U.S. Senate race is one of the most competitive elections in the country and could help determine control of the Senate following this year’s midterm elections. With less than two weeks to go before the May 17 primary, a number of notable Pennsylvanians and organizations have already made endorsements for the U.S. Senate.

Sample ballots show cracks in Philly’s Still Powerful Democratic Machine

Billy Penn at WHYY
By Max Marin 
June 20, 2019

While many ward leaders simply follow the party’s orders, others prefer their democracy to be hyperlocal, vetting and endorsing their own candidates with the help of their committee people. And not all committee people agree with their ward leaders — just ask Councilmember Cindy Bass.

“When Philly Votes, It Can Control Its Own Fate”:
How Philadelphia  Can Reclaim Its Political Power

Generocity
By Laura Duarte Bateman
July 30, 2025

…Voter turnout in Philadelphia remains stubbornly low. In this year’s primary election, just 16.61% of the city’s 1,062,864 registered voters cast a ballot..In a city where democratic participation is lagging, there are also efforts showing promise.

Photos by Craig Terry/Generocity.com

Vote Like Mt. Airy Does

The Philadelphia Citizen
and The Chestnut Hill Local
By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Oct. 30, 2024

…That year, turnout in that small community of about 750 registered voters was in the neighborhood of 90 percent.. — well above the 66 percent citywide average…“That’s the value of having committed committee persons who are connected to the communities and the neighborhoods and communicate with them regularly,” says Sampson,…“That’s what we do here.”

Photos by Sabina Louise Pierce/The Citizen

What We Know about Philly’s New Ward Leaders

The Philadelphia Citizen
By Jon Geeting
June 22, 2022

Philadelphia’s political parties held ward reorganization meetings a couple of Mondays ago, choosing new ward leaders and other officers for the next four year term. These contests are always worth watching because they offer a glimpse into the parties’ mood and direction in different parts of the city, the relative power of different factions of party activists, and the potential consequences for next year’s municipal elections.

How Philly’s ward system works and doesn’t work – and what is being done
to change it

City & State PA
By Harrison Cann
June 14, 2022

…Aside from candidate endorsements, having open wards ensures committee people can vote on policies, allow the public to attend meetings, and track campaign finance reports, among other things. These mechanisms allow for greater transparency and accountability, said Michael Swayze…

Mystery Letter Adds Confusion to Judicial Race

The Chestnut Hill Local
By Tommy Tucker
May 7, 2025

Last week, the Local reported on the arrival of a mysterious letter preceding Democratic-endorsed judicial candidates dropping out of a public forum hosted by the voter advocacy organizations Mt. Airy Democrats and Vote the Ridge. Since then, more questions have arisen over the letter’s origin.

The Wackiest Race for Local Judgeships Ever?

The Philadelphia Citizen
By Malcolm Burnley
May 2, 2025

Already this year, the slate of Democratic primary elections for local and state judgeships — which will be decided on May 20 — has produced an unusual amount of spice and chicanery.

Philly Dems ousted committee members who backed the Working Families Party but boosted GOP judges

Philadelphia Inquirer
By Sean Collins Walsh
Feb. 16, 2024

…After the party last month ousted almost 20 Democratic committee members who allegedly endorsed Working Families candidates — a violation of party rules against backing non-Democrats — some of those committee members are accusing the party of hypocrisy…

Power struggle within the city Democratic Party is playing out in Northwest Philadelphia

Chestnut Hill Local
By Tom Beck
Feb. 9, 2024

…Eleven committee members in Mt. Airy’s 22nd Ward and two in Chestnut Hill’s 9th Ward were among those who were told they’d been kicked out of their positions, courtesy of Brady and the Democratic machine. And those committee members, who are duly elected by constituents like any other elected official, lay the blame on petty politics.

More Philly Democratic ward volunteers bounced from their positions after backing WFP candidates

Billy Penn at WHYY
By Meir Rinde
Feb. 7, 2024

At least 16 neighborhood-level party activists were booted from their ward committee slots last month, fulfilling party chair Bob Brady’s promise to punish those who supported Working Families Party candidates in last fall’s City Council election. Most of the removals happened in the 22nd Ward in Mt. Airy, where Councilmember Cindy Bass is ward leader.

Philly Dems made good on threats to oust people who backed the Working Families Party. But only some of them.

Philadelphia Inquirer
By Sean Collins Walsh
Feb. 2, 2024

More than 100 committeepeople signed a letter endorsing the Working Families candidates last year, but only about 20 committeepeople appear to have been targeted for removal, progressive organizers said. Of those, at least 11 are in Mount Airy’s 22nd Ward, which is led by longtime Councilmember Cindy Bass, while the rest are scattered across other wards.

Anderson-Oberman supporters regroup to organize continued public pressure

Chestnut Hill Local
By Tom Beck
Sept 20, 2023

Four months after a nail-bitingly narrow loss to three-term incumbent Councilmember Cindy Bass in the 8th District Democratic primary, Seth Anderson-Oberman is once again organizing for action. Anderson-Oberman and his supporters are partnering with several community stakeholders throughout the district…to hold the North/Northwest People’s Summit..on Sept. 23.