The race for the Democratic nomination in the 175th district has some progressives in the city torn. Two candidates with progressive credentials are in the race, Anne Dicker and Terry Graboyes. While I think Terry would make a good state representative, I am supporting Anne. The issue for me is not just who will serve the district or who will vote the right way in Harrisburg. Anne and Terry will both do that. My concern is how best to build the progressive citizen’s movement we so badly need in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.
The Leadership of Anne Dicker
Anne Dicker has been one of the leaders of that movement. She founded Philly for Dean which later became Philly for Change, the local branch of Democracy for America. She has been one of the leaders of the statewide Democracy for America group as well. And she supported Neighborhood Networks in its infancy. Anne is committed to using the position of state representative not only to serve her constituents but also to create a more progressive Democratic voice in Harrisburg and build a state wide network of political activists.
Why We Need to Build the Progressive Movement
Anyone who has been reading this blog knows why I think those two goals are so important. We will not be able to address the problems that plague Pennsylvania and Philadelphia—slow and unequal economic growth, the lack of affordable housing, our under-funded and inadequate transit system, inferior and unequal schools, environmental degradation among others—if Democrats don’t take back control of the General Assembly. Two things are necessary before we send the right wing Republican packing. First, Democrats in Harrisburg have to speak more boldly about how we progressives plan to improve the life of Pennsylvanians. And, second, citizen activists have to get energized both to elect Democrats and to lobby for progressive public policy. Anne Dicker understands better than anyone in Harrisburg today why these tasks are important and how to carry them out. With Anne in the State House, we will finally have a leader who stimulates and encourages citizen activism.
Anne’s Citizen Campaign
Anne’s campaign is an example of just this kind of activism. It is a low-budget, high-energy campaign that has mobilized over a hundred volunteers who are busy every single day going door to door. Anne is walking her district every day as well. My guess is that, by Election Day, everyone in the district will have been personally visited by both Anne and one of her volunteers.
The smallest political district is that which elects state representatives. So this race is the perfect one for a citizen’s campaign. This is the best possible place to test the motto of Neighborhood Networks: the power of organize people can beat the power of organized money.
The Positive Impact of a Dicker Victory
Imagine the reaction around the city if Anne wins. People will realize that citizen power can be effective in Philadelphia politics. The result will be that Philly for Change and Neighborhood Networks and a dozen other organization will gain hundreds of new volunteers, people who always wanted to make their city and state a better place but didn’t realize that this was possible. It is hope that moves people to take part in politics. That is why it is so important that Anne win.
Terry Graboyes
What makes this a difficult race for progressives is that Terry Graboyes is an impressive candidate as well. I met Terry Graboyes for the first time a few weeks ago. She is an energetic and charming woman and I have to say I like her a lot. She has a history as a supporter of progressive causes in the city and has experience as a lobbyist in Harrisburg. She broke down walls for women by building one of the two woman-owned commercial construction companies in the city.
Terry is also a strong supporter of labor. Her company is a union company and she herself is a union member. She has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO and other unions. During the transit campaign I worked closely with Pat Eiding of the AFL-CIO and the leaders of some of the other progressive unions supporting Terry. And I always listen to their political views before making up my own.
So, in almost any other circumstance I would think that Terry Graboyes would be an ideal candidate for state representative. But this is a special case. We rarely get a chance to vote for a candidate who is not only a progressive but who represents a chance to build a new way of doing politics in the city. Terry herself pointed out the difference at the NOW Endorsement meeting. Terry said, “I don’t have a five or ten year plan like Anne does.”
A Plan, A Plan..We Need a Plan
Well, we need five and ten year plans to infuse new energy into our party, to find leaders who understand that the people will respond to progressive ideals if we present them forcefully and with conviction, and who understand that they key to progressive reform in our state and city is not doing deals in Harrisburg, but working every day to build our political movement.
How to Help Anne and the Progressive Movement
That’s why I am for Anne Dicker. I hope you will be as well. If you live in the 175th district vote for her. If you don’t, volunteer for her campaign or send her a check. To learn more about Anne or to volunteer or make a contribution, go to her website at www.annedicker.com.