| Green Party nominates Lewis Harris, Jr. for City Commissioner
|
 |
 |
|
| Written by Webmaster |
Green Party nominates Lewis Harris, Jr. for City Commissioner
Brian Rudnick nominated for City Council, 8th District
PHILADELPHIA, PA - This week, in a crowded meeting, the Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP) overwhelmingly voted to nominate community organizer Lewis Harris, Jr. of Southwest Philadelphia for City Commissioner and lawyer Brian Rudnick of Chestnut Hill as candidate for the 8th District City Council seat.
"We can win this election!" exclaimed Harris, a long-time political activist and small-business owner. Harris, who left the Democratic Party and subsequently the Republican Party due to what he felt was a lack of concern for African-Americans, believes that the Green Party offers a new hope. Said Harris, "I have seen how [the two major parties] stifle participation in the democratic process and I have seen this from the inside. This city needs a change."
The City of Philadelphia has three City Commissioners who are responsible for running elections and managing voter registration. Only two of the three Commissioners can be of the same party, typically leaving one seat to a Republican. Lewis Harris intends to replace Republican Joseph Duda this November.
Brian Rudnick's campaign in the 8th City Council District, which encompasses Nicetown, East Logan, Germantown, Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill, will build on the Green Party's past organizing in the district where Tom Hutt ran for Miller's seat four years ago and Marlene Santoyo ran for State Representative two years ago, receiving twice as many votes as the Republican candidate.
"Everybody's talking about crime; if we invested more in the public education system, fewer students would drop out of school and end up in the criminal justice system," said Rudnick, an educator and activist for the environment and public education. He seeks to provide representation that is responsive to the concerns of constituents and to neighborhood quality of life throughout the district. Visit <http://4council.brianrudnick.com> to learn more about his campaign.
An anticipated Philadelphia Mayoral candidate chose not to pursue the Party's nomination. In other business GPOP elected 7 members to serve on its City Committee through the year. Christina Valente of Center City, who was the Green Party nominee for Lt. Governor, was elected Chair. Alex Gillett of West Philly was elected Treasurer. Lewis Harris, Jr. of Southwest Philly and Esther Croft of Center City, were elected Organizational and Recording Secretaries. Jacinth Brown-Roberts of Olney, Mike Rosenberg, who ran for 188th District State Representative in West Philly, and Charles Sherrouse of Oxford Circle, were elected City Committee Members At-large.
The Green Party of Philadelphia, <http://www.gpop.org>, is founded on the four pillars of grassroots democracy, social justice, ecological wisdom and nonviolence. GPOP works through educating the public, direct action, and inclusive electoral politics. GPOP is currently active on issues such as improving public transportation and stopping the war in Iraq. For more information, contact gpop@gpop.org or 215-243-7103.
|
