Brian Boni

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Brian Boni for committeeperson in Ward 02, Division 8.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m a grassroots organizer for various organizations and have been committee person for the 2nd Ward Democrats over the last year.

As a committee person, I advocate and talk to my neighbors about the issues I care about and candidates that support these issues, such as public transportation, green spaces, affordable housing, and a city that supports and funds social services.

I want the city and my community to have elected officials that prioritize its residents’ needs over corporations and profit.

Abe White

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Abe White for committeeperson in Ward 05, Division 2.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

Philly has been my home for years and it’s been amazing to find so many young progressives who share a vision for what our city can be.

As someone who doesn’t drive, big priorities for me include promoting safe walkable neighborhoods, as well as strong investments in SEPTA to make sure our public transit is affordable and reliable for all of us.

In my role as a committeeperson, I would work to support and lift up candidates and leaders who would champion this vision for a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable city for everyone in Philly.

Cassidy Leyendecker

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Cassidy Leyendecker for committeeperson in Ward 05, Division 5.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

Safe transit, affordable housing, and sustainable living are the foundations to building a Philadelphia that best supports its people.

Building community is the first step in creating a better city.

I want to connect with neighbors, share learnings, and listen to how best we can all serve each other in Philadelphia. I believe in working and representing the diverse every day Philadelphian and putting their needs above corporations and the wealthy who will serve themselves before anyone else.

K. Lyn Kirshenbaum

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend K. Lyn Kirshenbaum for committeeperson in Ward 05, Division 8.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

In my studies, I received a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Urban Development. Since then, I have been a Housing and Community Development Specialist for the state and federal government.

In those roles I championed accessible and visitable housing and streets, served as a leader in sustainability working with Mayors in our 6-state region, and created solutions for equitable employment, transportation and housing.

As a current Committeeperson, I have gathered many volunteers to make sure everyone in the division is registered to vote, helped voters correct errors in mail-in ballots as reported by the Board of Elections, and increased voter turnout.

Natalie Gulati

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Natalie Gulati for committeeperson in Ward 05, Division 8.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

Since moving to the neighborhood, Natalie has been a dedicated volunteer working with Lyn and Neil. She loves spending her weekends doing voter registration activities and going door-to-door to remind voters of key deadlines and ensure an election day plan.

On election day, you can see her at the polls as well as doing a final door-to-door push. She knows that this is the job, and she will be ready from day one.

Natalie is excited to further enhance the division operations with the use of technology and data, widening voter engagement, and deepening partnerships with neighboring divisions. Natalie moved to the neighborhood in 2024 with her husband and McCall kindergartener.

She is active in the community, volunteering with other local organizations and is passionate about ensuring our voice is represented in City Hall, Harrisburg and DC. Pro public schools, pro green spaces, pro supporting small businesses, pro bike lanes and traffic control, pro protecting our historic sites, pro protecting urban arts.

Maxwell Meshaka

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Maxwell Meshaka for committeeperson in Ward 05, Division 13.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I genuinely hate personal vehicles in cities and I moved to Philly specifically so I wouldn’t have to drive. I will do all in my power to reduce car traffic, provide alternatives, and encourage mixed use development.

Jenny Zhang

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Jenny Zhang for committeeperson in Ward 05, Division 13.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

My name is Jenny Zhang. I’m a community organizer and a resident of Chinatown. I believe that all Philadelphians deserve to live with dignity in our city. That means we should prioritize making our city an affordable place to live, safety for pedestrians and bikers, and freedom of movement through public transportation.

We should be taking Vision Zero more seriously, and that means increasing protected bike lanes, bus and bike lane enforcement, and speeding cameras. A small group of people should not be able to stop safety improvements, just because it would impede their ability to park in bike lanes.

SEPTA needs to be fully funded and elected officials should be on the frontlines of fighting for that at all levels of government. I support CM O’Rourke’s Transit Access Fund that would keep transit affordable and/or free to low-income riders, workers, seniors, etc.

Micah Mahjoubian

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Micah Mahjoubian for committeeperson in Ward 05, Division 14.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I have spent most of my adult life working in and around Philadelphia’s neighborhoods, helping translate policy into practical improvements in people’s daily lives.

As Chief of Staff to Senator Sharif Street, I work on issues that shape how our city grows, how people move around, and whether opportunity is truly accessible. That work has strengthened my belief that safer streets, reliable transit, and thoughtful land use are essential to Philadelphia’s future.

I have lived in Center City for 27 years, and for most of that time I did not own a car. I chose to build my life and raise my family in a dense, vibrant, walkable neighborhood because of the opportunities and quality of life that kind of urban environment can provide.

Through travel around the world, I have also seen firsthand how cities that prioritize walkability, transit, and mixed-use development create healthier, more equitable communities. Those experiences shape how I think about Philadelphia’s potential.

My commitment to equitable urban development is also reflected in my work. I partnered with Mark Segal and others to help develop the John C. Anderson Apartments, bringing deeply affordable homes to LGBTQ elders who might otherwise have been priced out of the Gayborhood.

During the Street Administration, I worked on initiatives like the installation of rainbow street signs to strengthen community identity and signal that LGBTQ residents belong in the public life of our city. In the Senate office, I have sought to bring more urbanist expertise into our work, including hiring Jawad Pullin, a member of 5th Square’s board, to help inform our policy approach.

We are also advancing legislative solutions to expand housing opportunity, including introducing a single-stair reform bill that represents an important step toward enabling more affordable and flexible housing development across Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.

At the same time, I believe that achieving an equitable urbanist vision requires deeper engagement with working-class communities and communities of color who often rely on cars to manage complex daily realities.

For many residents, transportation and land-use debates can feel disconnected from their lived experience. Building a more accessible and sustainable city must go hand-in-hand with economic fairness and a genuine understanding of how people actually navigate their daily lives.

As Committee Person, I will work to build consensus around practical solutions that make Philadelphia safer, more accessible, and more equitable. I believe we can pursue a strong urbanist vision while remaining grounded in the needs and voices of all residents.

Steven Datlof

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Steven Datlof for committeeperson in Ward 05, Division 18.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I'm a psychiatrist and attorney who fights for affordable health care for all and stands up for the right of every citizen to vote. I speak out against unlawful ICE conduct and protest the war in Iran.

The committee person's job is to talk with voters, endorse candidates, and get out the vote. As your committee person I will knock doors tirelessly and engage with voters -- all year long, not just on election day -- to hear their concerns and get out every Democratic vote.

Fariha Ahmed

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Fariha Ahmed for committeeperson in Ward 05, Division 21.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I am a long time Northern Liberties resident and home owner. I believe that accessibility, sustainability and equity are all interrelated and believe that affordable housing, accessible and safe public transportation and strong neighborhood schools all contribute to strengthening our communities and improving our day-to-day lives.

Cameron Pursel

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Cameron Pursel for committeeperson in Ward 05, Division 25.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

As committeeperson, I will work to endorse ward leadership and candidates that support our city building more housing, saving lives with international transportation best practices like protected bike lanes, road diets, and intersection daylighting,

and advocate for a break from the machine politics that have governed our city and elected single issue candidates that abhor road safety improvements.

We need better, safer options for ALL Philadelphians to get around, and the good news is we already know the solutions that work. No more pilot projects, no more years of testing things that work in every other city in the world.

Ashlei Tracy

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Ashlei Tracy for committeeperson in Ward 05, Division 33.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I believe a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable Philadelphia requires treating those goals as connected. The people in a city must be able to afford to live in it, safely move through it using ANY forms of transportation (including your own feet!), and easily access green space and public services. Decisions should not be made without the people who will live with the consequences.

My approach is grounded in the belief that good policy should not only be ambitious, but responsive to what Philadelphians (including future generations) actually need.

Ryan Alsayegh

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Ryan Alsayegh for committeeperson in Ward 05, Division 33.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I'm a local organizer with over 10 years of experience managing successful political campaigns, vetting candidates, & getting out the vote in Philadelphia.

I'm running for committeeperson for the same reason I've spent the past decade fighting for progress within our flawed political system — I'm frustrated by the direction of our city, our state, and our country and I want to be part of the solution.

I currently serve as the Political Director for Rep. Tarik Khan (HD-194) and the Campaign Manager for Rep. Joe Hohenstein (HD-177) — two state legislators who have received 5th Square's endorsement. I am also the Executive Director of Second Generation, a state and federal PAC that supports aspiring political candidates from immigrant communities across Pennsylvania. In recent years, I have also served as a Board Member of Riverwards Area Democrats and as the Lead Organizer of Riverwards Votes, a grassroots voter outreach effort that mobilized 200+ volunteers to knock ~18,000 doors throughout the Riverwards in 2024.

As a committeeperson, I hope to put my organizing skills to work for our community and use my campaign experience to fight for all of us. I love our city, and that is why I am dedicated to making it better. We all deserve to have safe streets, reliable public transit, affordable housing, green spaces, and responsive public services — and I believe we can achieve these things! A brighter future is possible for Philadelphia, but only if we work together to build it for one another.

Raymond Scheinfeld

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Raymond Scheinfeld for committeeperson in Ward 05, Division 35.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

Current Democratic committee person re-running for office. Environmental geologist with deep understanding of environmental issues in the Delaware Valley having investigated and remediated 100’s of sites with environmental problems. Long time sustainability advocate and implemented many sustainability programs at the City of Philadelphia’s airports.

Kerry Mallett

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Kerry Mallett for committeeperson in Ward 08, Division 6.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I am a five year Philly resident and have volunteered for democratic candidates, causes, and community work since moving here, including 5th Square. I care deeply about urbanism, public transit, and ensuring that communities across the US are more accessible, safe, and pedestrian- and biker-friendly. I live on Spruce and have advocated for permanent, separated bike lanes by reaching out to CP Johnson and doing other advocacy work, including through 5th Square and Philly Bike Action. I think about zoning, community work, and candidate endorsements all through the lens of what will get us closer to a safer, more accessible, and more climate-prepared Philly — and will do so as a committee person. I want us to have more elected officials who prioritize infrastructure and don’t default to straw man arguments or the status quo.

Monica Carty

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Monica Carty for committeeperson in Ward 15, Division 2.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I have been involved in politics as a hobby since 2011 when I started door knocking in electoral campaigns with my college democrats club. Committee person will be the first local electoral seat I will be running for.

After the 2024 election losses, I started to think about how to get more involved, especially in local politics.

The SEPTA funding crisis made me realize how important it is to advocate for elected officials who will fight for that funding and generally support public transit. As a committee person, I would be excited to continue to push for better public transit. Additionally, I studied sustainable development and I am excited to bring that knowledge to push for a green energy transition in Philly and PA.

Leo Vaccaro

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Leo Vaccaro for committeeperson in Ward 15, Division 2.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

Leo Vaccaro advances an equitable Philadelphia by bridging historical scholarship with dedicated community service. Through his career in education — and in his leadership with multiple local cultural and religious institutions — Leo works to promote the city’s history and advocates for its resources to be accessible and inclusive to all.

Brian Elmore

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Brian Elmore for committeeperson in Ward 15, Division 9.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I have lived in Philadelphia since 2021 and deeply love the city. I see a city built for people, and policy makers have let it become overrun with cars and all the ills that they bring. I want more housing for everyone, particularly poor and working-class folks. I want more bike infrastructure and a transit system that works for all of us.

Chris Gale

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Chris Gale for committeeperson in Ward 15, Division 11.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

Chris Gale is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit executive with more than 15 years of experience leading mission-driven organizations, building community programs, and driving organizational turnarounds across Greater Philadelphia. As Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, Chris reversed a multi-year budget deficit, grew the organization’s annual budget from $1.7M to $1.9M, and relaunched its education programs department — all within two years.

Prior to BCGP, he served as Chief Programs Officer at North10 Philadelphia, where he oversaw the transformation of a legacy athletic facility into a fully realized community center, led a $2.5M building remodel, and grew the organizational budget by over $1M. Earlier in his career, he served as Deputy Director of Community Schools at the City of Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Office of Education and as Administrator of Casa del Carmen, where he managed a $2.05M budget, doubled program enrollment, and elevated the organization’s preschool to Pennsylvania’s highest quality rating.

A skilled coalition builder and public advocate, Chris has represented organizations at the legislative level, in local and regional press, and across Philadelphia’s civic and community networks. He holds a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Villanova University and was named to Philadelphia Magazine’s list of 150 Most Influential Philadelphians in 2025.

Dustin Dove

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Dustin Dove for committeeperson in Ward 15, Division 13.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m a dad and lawyer living in Fairmount. I’m the Secretary of the 15th Ward and worked to open the ward four years ago. Since then, we’ve gone through twice yearly endorsement and get-out-the-vote efforts to elect the best Democrats possible and get more of our neighbors involved in the process.

I’m also President of the Fairmount Civic Association, where I work, along with my neighbors, to create a better neighborhood for everyone. I will work in the Ward and at the FCA to improve the amount and quality of our mobility options and will work to create more homes for current and new neighbors, both in my neighborhood and around the city.

This means advocating for transit, biking, and walking so that everyone, of any age and mobility, can get around our city. This also means ensuring that zoning decisions in my neighborhood are made to ensure that we are expanding opportunities for people to live in the best neighborhood in the city.

Diana Lind

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Diana Lind for committeeperson in Ward 15, Division 19.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I am a longtime urbanist, first-time candidate. I ran Next City for 6+ years and have spent most of my career writing about urban policy issues, including my book about the problems with / solutions to single-family housing, Brave New Home, and my current Substack, The New Urban Order.

I have also served on the boards/advisory boards of a variety of local advocacy groups ranging from Washington Square West Civic Association (when I lived over there), The Philadelphia Citizen, and now Friends of the Rail Park. I have long been a leading voice in favor of dismantling urban highways, including my 2011 TEDXPhilly talk on I-95.

In addition to my writing, I advocate for asset building strategies that can help close racial and generational wealth gaps. I’ve lived in Fairmount for more than a decade and have supported our local public school, Bache-Martin, including its first-in-the-city school street.

Janneken Smucker

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Janneken Smucker for committeeperson in Ward 18, Division 5.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I have served as a committee person in the mighty 18th Ward since 2022, one of a handful of “open wards” in which individual committee persons vote directly on endorsements of candidates and issues, rather than taking our orders from ward leaders or the Democratic City Committee.

This has enabled me to play a key role in supporting candidates who likewise support urbanist issues, and also results in elected officials paying more attention to my views as they know my opinion on their job performance matters in our local GOTV strategies.

In addition to serving as a CP, I am an avid cyclist and activist for street safety initiatives. I also serve on the Fishtown Neighbors Association Zoning Committee, where I support increased housing and commercial amenities, as well as initiatives such as Neighborhood Bikeways and the easing of outdoor dining restrictions.

I am the mother of a 15 year old who has attended Philadelphia public schools since kindergarten and a professor of history.

Lauren Rinaldi

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Lauren Rinaldi for committeeperson in Ward 18, Division 6.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m an artist, 18th Ward Committee Person and Ward Leader, and currently serve as Arts & Culture Liaison for Councilmember Rue Landau. My work focuses on community organizing and how public space, culture, and civic systems shape everyday life in Philadelphia.

I believe a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable city means walkable neighborhoods, reliable transit, safe streets, and housing people can afford, but also a democracy where more people feel informed, included, and empowered to participate. I’ve helped increase voter turnout locally by meeting neighbors where they are and making civic engagement more accessible and community-driven.

I remain committed to advancing policies that make Philadelphia easier to live in, move through, and meaningfully participate in for everyone.

Joshua Finkelstein

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Joshua Finkelstein for committeeperson in Ward 21, Division 1.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I have been a community organizer for 10 years, focussing on both on environmental sustainability and improving economic equity for marginalized people. I envision a Philadelphia that is deeply affordable, pollution-free and transit-rich. Some specific policies I support are the Safe and Healthy Homes Act, the Don’t Trash our Air ordinance, the Zero Waste initiative, and building the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway.

However, it’s not just about my vision. I posses the policy and campaign skills to truly have conversations with the hundreds of people that it take to both build consensus on a vision together and help bring it to fruition.

Sam Rosen

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Sam Rosen for committeeperson in Ward 21, Division 17.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m an engineer, activist, backpacker, maker, and board game enthusiast. I care deeply about ensuring our government works for everyone, and protects common goods such as the environment and public services, even when there isn’t an immediate profit to be made in doing so.

I firmly believe that it is the governments job to intervene where the market fails to deliver the best outcome for the largest number of people. I believe that science should take precedent over zeitgeist when deciding public policy.

I am broadly in favor of more and denser housing in my neighborhood and in general, especially if it is mixed income and mixed use.

I am very in favor of more and safer bicycle infrastructure such as separated and parking protected lanes, and of maintaining what we have: there is no reason why bike lanes should be left filled with snow and leaves while roadways are cleared.

I am a big believer in using bikes as a practical vehicle, and not just for recreation. I am a big advocate for more and better public transit, it is in fact the primary reason why I joined 5th Square in the first place.

I use it nearly every time I travel further into Philadelphia, and while I cannot comment from experience on every route, I can certainly say that the lack of funding has definitely been felt.

SEPTA has such a wide range of issues, and it does seem like most of them could be solved by sustainable funding.

More frequent buses and weekend rail service, trolley modernization, and (hopefully, eventually!) the implementation of metro-style regional rail would be welcome changes that could take cars off the road and enable denser housing at lower cost.

I am legitimately tired of hearing how public transit is too expensive while we waste vast amounts of money expanding an already overbuilt road network that we cannot maintain.

As for what I would do to implement these changes...I am under no illusion that I will have the power to directly write policy as a committeeperson. That being said, I will continue to advocate for these causes within my community, and vote to endorse candidates who will influence policy in these directions.

Daniel Merin

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Daniel Merin for committeeperson in Ward 21, Division 18.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

If I had to embrace a nationwide policy proposal that can meet the complex challenges in the city of Philadelphia, it would be the “Green New Deal”. Yes, I’m basically your typical progressive, politically speaking. I believe that government is a necessary tool to be a force for good. I’m 42 years of age and practically have spent my entire adulthood here. Philadelphia is beautiful. It has all the potential.

To be honest, like many in the City, I have a love and hate relationship with it. I have witnessed transformations across different neighborhoods. As our City Leaders continue to address the issues of poverty, housing, greening, education, crime, and overall livability, I think committee people can play a more active role in helping to raise these type of “bread and butter” issues with our neighbors. We need to not just simply activate voters to increase turnout, but to use the political structure of our ward to help people now.

If people have concerns or issues with a particular city department we should be leveraging the ward to help address it. The more activity and community we build will naturally lead to folks caring more and making sure to vote more often.

I was in Montreal last summer. My family and I road our bikes everywhere. Protected bike lanes were ubiquitous. It just goes to show, things like that can be done here. It has to be a concerted effort. We have to apply pressure on our elected leaders and hold them to account.

Deborah Dowlin

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Deborah Dowlin for committeeperson in Ward 21, Division 19.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I have always believed in an accessible Philadelphia for all. I rode SEPTA to school as a kid from 5th–12th. I took it as a young teacher too in Philly schools. I live in Roxborough now because I like that I can walk to Acme, restaurants on Main Street, and have good playgrounds I can walk to for my son. The best thing about Philly is its neighborhoods and walkability.

My dad John Dowlin was one of the founders of the Bicycle Coalition in the early 70s. Transit access and sustainability is in my blood. Some of my earliest memories are on the back of the bike going to daycare at Friends Center. I care deeply about Vision Zero and ensuring that everyone can arrive safely back at home from their day.

Edward Melendez

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Edward Melendez for committeeperson in Ward 21, Division 20.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I moved to Philadelphia two years ago and love living in this compact corridor of the US, getting around by SEPTA, and being a part of the community. I am also a co-founder of Health Tech PHL, convening a wide variety of stakeholders in the Philadelphia healthcare ecosystem.

My awakening came in 2001, when I was living in New Orleans and opposed the destruction of long time public housing to make way for a big box retailer.

That year, I co-founded the Urban Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that works with community and collaborating to strengthen urban environments and economies through equity initiatives, policies, and programs. They’re still in business today with a great leadership team.

I’m a believer that cities don’t have to settle for car centric and unaffordable housing, and that mixed-use that respects the community it serves can be the norm, not the exception.

I have an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Acton School of Business, and I am a fellow of the Loyola New Orleans Institute of Politics.

I live in Roxborough with my family.

Walter Bayer

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Walter Bayer for committeeperson in Ward 21, Division 21.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

As a former Peace Corps Volunteer, public school teacher, and now public health grant manager, I believe in building stronger, healthier, safer communities.

Many policies that will lead to a more accessible, sustainable, equitable Philadelphia for all are backed by data, but are not always well understood. As committeeperson, I look forward to communicating to my neighbors how these policies could help them.

For example, protected bike lanes don’t just help bikers - they help drivers by reducing the number of cars on the road. Walkable, denser communities aren’t just better for affordable housing, they also bring in more customers to your small business.

Wider support for urbanism can be achieved through the kinds of face-to-face conversations committeepeople have with their neighbors everyday.

Alison Wallach

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Alison Wallach for committeeperson in Ward 21, Division 25.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m an organizer with Reclaim Philadelphia, representing the Roxborough/Manayunk/East Falls chapter on their leadership team for the past two years and supporting the relaunch of the organization’s Climate Justice Caucus.

As a committeeperson, I’ll work to foster stronger community relationships, deepened civic engagement, and increased transparency into the local political process. I’ll continue advocating for an efficient and accessible public transit system; housing legislation that keeps homeowners and renters in their homes, such as Whole-Home Repairs and Safe Healthy Homes; increased access to truly affordable housing; protection of our immigrant neighbors; and equitable, fully funded public schools.

Octavius Price

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Octavius Price for committeeperson in Ward 22, Division 9.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’ve been a 5th square member since 2022, I am on the traffic calming committee of my neighborhood RCO, I believe that cities belong to people not cars. I believe in democracy and opening all the wards in Philadelphia and making this city truly a place for all.

Sultan Smalley

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Sultan Smalley for committeeperson in Ward 23, Division 13.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

My name is Sultan and I am a lifelong Philadelphian and a student at the Community College of Philadelphia. I’m also a member of the Sunrise Movement with a passion for protecting our environment and creating a better future for working class people in our city.

When elected I will push the 23rd ward to endorse leaders who prioritize creating safer and cleaner streets. We can’t just talk about Vision Zero, we have to put in place the necessary infrastructure that will turn zero vehicular deaths into a reality.

Bartosz Jaskulski

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Bartosz Jaskulski for committeeperson in Ward 25, Division 3.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

My name is Bartosz Jaskulski and I’m a Polish-American citizen residing in Port Richmond. Although I only moved into the neighborhood just two years ago, I’ve been traveling to Port Richmond my whole life and have seen where the needs of the neighborhood are.

I’ve been close to the community since I was a kid, and have now been making efforts on getting to know the neighbors around me and learning for their experiences what they love about Port Richmond and what they want to see improved.

If I win the seat for Committeeperson in my Division, I would work with the Ward and my constituents on ways of relaying our hyper-local issues and bringing them to light to the city and to Mark Squilla, our district’s councilmember, to help work towards resolution of issues that have been persistent in Port Richmond for many years.

Sara Baier

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Sara Baier for committeeperson in Ward 25, Division 5.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

Hi! I’m a lifelong working-class progressive Democrat and proud Port Richmond resident (and parent) who cares deeply about the history, resilience, and future of our neighborhood. I’m committed to making our streets, public spaces, and neighborhoods safer, greener, and more accessible for everyone.

As an everyday cyclist who relies on biking to get to work, I understand firsthand what it means to navigate streets that aren’t always designed with safety in mind. I will stand up for public transportation, and advocate for traffic-calming measures and protected bike infrastructure that make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike to move through our Ward and across the city. These changes are not just about transportation—they’re about livability, safety, and equity.

I am also engaged in climate justice organizing, including efforts to move our city away from reliance on fossil fuel infrastructure, such as the proposed Richmond liquid natural gas (LNG) plant replacement. I believe our community deserves clean air, environmental justice, and a meaningful voice in decisions that directly impact our health and safety.

I strongly believe that our ward should operate transparently and democratically, with committee people who are engaged in collaborative problem solving, accountable decision-making, and open endorsement processes that reflect the diversity of our community. Grassroots leadership matters, and I’m committed to building it by showing up consistently—listening to neighbors, knocking on doors, and working year-round to strengthen community power and civic engagement.

Alexandria Murphy

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Alexandria Murphy for committeeperson in Ward 25, Division 8.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

Hi! I’m A. Mercedes Murphy, member of Reclaim Philadelphia Riverwards and United Neighbors of Port Richmond.

I strongly believe that traffic safety improvements like concrete barriers in bike lanes and/or car-protected bike lanes, daylighting, speed bumps, and traffic calming measures that force cars to slow down are essential to a safer neighborhood and strongly desired by voters in my neighborhood.

As a committee person in the 25th ward, I will work with other committee members to endorse candidates that support these improvements in our ward that will benefit all people in Port Richmond/Kensington.

Eleanor Safer

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Eleanor Safer for committeeperson in Ward 26, Division 3.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

Step one for me is to assist in opening up my ward so that committee people are able to actually represent the folks in their area. Right now, committee members in closed wards cannot vote to represent their district.

Creating a more transparent process where the ward leaders have to listen to the community members they represent is my top priority. I also think it’s important to help organize the community. Many neighbors might not be aware of upcoming elections, down ballot initiatives, etc and I will make sure my community members are well informed!

Elliot Konstant

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Elliot Konstant for committeeperson in Ward 26, Division 3.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I will put pressure on the Philadelphia Democratic party to endorse and fund progressive candidates for Federal and state offices. Particularly those that prioritize disability access rights, green energy initiatives, and funding affordable transit and housing initiatives.

Warren Bedoya

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Warren Bedoya for committeeperson in Ward 26, Division 13.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

We are neighbors organizing with neighbors to make our communities safer, more affordable, and vibrant.

Our committee people canvass, connect residents to services, and listen to the issues affecting the multiracial working class. Together, we can make sure every decision and endorsement reflects the voices of our communities. We fight for policies that protect tenants, strengthen public schools and transit, and invest in libraries, parks, and recreation centers. By building leadership among residents and developing new committee people, we create strong, engaged, and resilient communities — and long-term power with the people we serve.

Gerard Greco

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Gerard Greco for committeeperson in Ward 26, Division 16.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m a hands-on person who believes the best way to improve Philadelphia is to show up and do the work. I’ve spent years running a small business, serving on nonprofit boards, and now working in the shipyard as an apprentice, so I understand the city from both a community and working-class perspective.

To me, accessibility, sustainability, and equity aren’t just buzzwords — they mean safe jobs, real career opportunities, clean neighborhoods, and growth that benefits everyone. I’ll work to advance that vision by listening to residents, bringing people together, and pushing for practical solutions that make everyday life better across the city.

Rochelle Walker

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Rochelle Walker for committeeperson in Ward 26, Division 21.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

My role as a committee person will be to make sure all of my neighbors know about every election and are informed about the candidates and ballot initiatives. Some of the issues that are important to me include creating safer road infrastructure to keep pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists safe, ensuring our public schools and SEPTA are fully funded, and pushing for policies that encourage developers to create more affordable housing.

Thomas J Hurst

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Thomas J Hurst for committeeperson in Ward 27, Division 1.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’ve been pushing for more open wards since 2014. As a committee member, I hope to advocate for more TOD and and safer streets.

Noah M Kocher

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Noah M Kocher for committeeperson in Ward 27, Division 1.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I am a young progressive, and I want to serve as a committeeperson to help transform our Democratic party wards into true points of connection between Philadelphians and our government. Philadelphians want a safe, accessible city, and our wards should be our best tool to amplify this vision.

Our wards should work to get Philadelphians mobilized, not just to support Democrats at the polls, but also to advocate for a livable city beyond election day. This is our party, our city, and we can make our voices heard though our wards!

Owen Sahnow

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Owen Sahnow for committeeperson in Ward 27, Division 9.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I believe strongly in equitable local government services. I work in theater as well as on an ambulance. Although healthcare is somewhat out of the scope of the local committee, I’ve seen how many people fall through the cracks of the healthcare system and end up calling 911.

My goal in running to be a committeeperson is to advocate for increased safety infrastructure and human-scaled and oriented design for the non-car users on our streets in my neighborhood.

Kristen Suzda

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Kristen Suzda for committeeperson in Ward 29, Division 11.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I am a cyclist, architect, sustainability professional, and urbanist, and I am known for speaking my mind. I know the importance of my elected officials is not in having them stand at the front of a room and telling us how much money they’re bringing home (money someone else tells them they get to spend!). Their superpower is in developing logical and thoughtful policy and practice that shapes our world for the better, and I am in frequent contact with them about ways to make my neighborhood better.

We need a system that makes it easy to fund transit, to build attainable housing, to create bike lanes that provide transportation choice, that support good schools that attract and keep families in vibrant places, that support jobs that pay a livable wage. Green needs to mean a resilient energy grid, not just litter, as well as homes that are both affordable to keep warm in the winter and can easily withstand shocks to the system when gas prices soar.

In my previous 2 terms as a committeeperson, I’ve learned who to call to make things happen in my neighborhood, and which elected officials are unreliable or unwilling to support progressive goals that make Philadelphia more affordable, sustainable, and resilient. I hope my constituents will continue to trust me to ask hard questions of our leaders on their behalf, working with those who are aligned with a sustainable future and educating those who aren’t... yet.

Miles Owen

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Miles Owen for committeeperson in Ward 29, Division 12.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I am a former firefighter/paramedic and current city planner who has worked for years to help make our communities and infrastructure more environmentally sustainable and resilient to the impacts of climate change.

This will be my second term as committee person and it is a role I both take seriously and find a lot of joy in. As a longtime Fifth Square member and passionately involved neighborhood resident, all of my work is focused on making the Brewerytown neighborhood and city as a whole more vibrant, livable, and equitable.

Michael Rocchi

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Michael Rocchi for committeeperson in Ward 30, Division 3.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

As a native Philadelphian, I take pride in our community’s commitment to its neighborhoods. I’ve lived in Ward 30 for 11 years and noticed a lack of accessible information from the ward - so I’ve decided to run for committee person.

Our ward website has not been updated since the 2024 election, besides a tab of endorsements for the 2025 election. Our ward’s social media presence is only through Facebook. In an area with a large population of students and young professionals, there is a significant gap in access to ward information.

I hold a Master of Public Health and an MBA from Drexel and have the skills to present this information in an effective and resourceful way. Much of my work has been researching policies to fund community programs and services, and presenting these findings to city council. I am a strong advocate of health equity and for my LGBTQ+ community.

As committee person, I would make sure our ward would know who their committee people are and build out a resource hub to ensure our communities have access to the vital information and resources that they need - which is crucial now more than ever. In my free time I like to play in Stonewall Sports leagues, compete in triathlons, cook, and watch Philly sports. Go Birds!

Elise Johnston

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Elise Johnston for committeeperson in Ward 31, Division 4.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m a PA native and have lived in Fishtown for six years. I’m also an artist, writer, aunt, animal lover, speech language pathologist, and super fan of accessible public transit.

I’m running for committee person to make my neighbors voices heard and to support our local elections. I’ll fight for candidates who have real plans to strengthen SEPTA and invest in affordable housing for all of us who call the city home.

Kristen Mallon

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Kristen Mallon for committeeperson in Ward 31, Division 5.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m a born and raised Philadelphian and 17 year Fishtown resident. I’m a public school teacher and my husband and I own and operate a small business in our neighborhood (Meetinghouse). I want to increase voter turnout and promote transparency in our local democracy, help residents keep builders accountable to keep our sidewalks clear and roads safe, protect and build bike lanes, support small businesses in their efforts to challenge the BIRT tax so we can have more small businesses in the city, etc. Philadelphians deserve a safe and equitable city where everyone can thrive!

Jacob Fuller

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Jacob Fuller for committeeperson in Ward 31, Division 8.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

My name is Jacob Fuller and I’m a writer and public advocate. My career so far has been dedicated to advocacy work, from civil rights to advocacy for homeless individuals in the city, and individuals with rare diseases across the country. I think that by building strong participatory institutions we can raise the floor in society and achieve the promise of our country.

Here in Philadelphia, we are a city with a tremendous amount of potential. As a post-industrial city that’s gone through a period of extreme decline and subsequent renewal we are afforded a rare opportunity to not just demonstrate a future for urban renewal, but to light the way forward for a new kind of city — one that’s built for people, rather than cars. I believe that we can advance a more equitable and accessible city by empowering our government agencies like our Streets Dept to identify new ways to improve pedestrian and resident safety, and most importantly have a council that actually supports these efforts.

To accomplish this I am committed to advocating both for candidates that advance these causes but also to have conversations with individuals in existing party infrastructure to highlight the advantages of supporting these causes. I’m endorsed by the 31st ward leadership for my position.

Adrián Rivera Reyes

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Adrián Rivera Reyes for committeeperson in Ward 31, Division 8.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m Adrián and I’m a Nursing and Allied Health program manager for community colleges. In 2019, I ran for City Council At Large and 5th Square was the first organization to endorse my candidacy (thank you)!

I am a longtime community organizer in Philly as well, focusing on the Latine community in North Philly. I co-founded Philly Boricuas in 2019 and have been organizing around issues of social justice, economic advancement, environmental justice, and more. I was also elected to Reclaim Philadelphia’s board in 2024 and act as the treasurer now.

In my neighborhood in East Kensington I have been involved in the East Kensington Neighborhood Association (EKNA). I was part of the Streets committee from 2022–2023 and continue to advocate for better street signage, traffic flow measures, and better biking and pedestrian infrastructure, especially along Frankford Avenue. I am also a supporter of Vision Zero and firmly believe that cities are for the people that live in them and not for cars.

Lastly, my goals as a Committee person are to ensure neighbors issues are being addressed and to increase voter turnout (in my Division and in West Kensington where I organize)!

Omeed Firouzi

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Omeed Firouzi for committeeperson in Ward 31, Division 13.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m running for committeeperson so we can have an open ward that is more democratic and responsive to the needs of our neighbors. I plan to be an active and engaged committeeperson who is in touch with my neighbors to advance their safety and well-being.

I intend to be a liaison between my neighbors and our elected officials. I have already worked with my block to try to get a speed bump on our block and as a politically engaged individual, my block knows that I am there for them with any needs they have to address with Councilman Squilla’s office.

I will be able to step up this work even more as committeeperson and advocate for progressive, inclusive policies.

Molly Hartman

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Molly Hartman for committeeperson in Ward 31, Division 13.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m a pedestrian, cyclist, and community member who has lived in my neighborhood for eight years. I work for Councilmember Rue Landau as her Senior Policy Director, and I’m also on the board of Riverwards Area Democrats. I have worked within City Council to support outdoor dining, fight for affordable housing, invest in Vision Zero and expand funding and access to SEPTA. With RAD, I have grown our efforts to endorse progressive candidates for local office and turn out the vote.

A more accessible, sustainable, and equitable Philadelphia means that we can have safe streets, mobility for everyone, functioning city services and inclusion in the democratic process. I’m running to be a committee person to strengthen our democracy in the ward, to ensure that all of our neighbors can participate in elections and have a voice in who represents them.

Kristina Dugan

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Kristina Dugan for committeeperson in Ward 31, Division 14.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I am a small business owner, my husband is a Philadelphia public school teacher, and our child attends a Philadelphia public school. We are a working family rooted in the Olde Richmond/East Kensington area, and we believe Ward 31 should reflect the people who actually live here.

As committee person, my goal is simple: listen to what matters most to my neighbors, connect residents to city services, and open our ward to people who have never had a seat at the table. I recently helped a neighbor file an official L&I complaint about a blighted property with a fence leaning into the sidewalk and illegal dumping on the site; that investigation is now underway. That is the kind of hands-on, neighbor-to-neighbor work I want to do every day in this role.

I believe a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable Philadelphia starts at the block level. That means safe streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Affordable and reliable public transit so working families can get where they need to go. Living wages that allow people to afford safe, stable, and comfortable housing in the neighborhoods they call home. Green space that belongs to everyone; I am a member of the Emerald Street Community Garden and know firsthand how shared green space builds community.

I am a Wards That Work trained candidate committed to engaging neighbors in the democratic process, encouraging people to vote, and making sure every endorsement and decision coming out of Ward 31 reflects the voices of the people who live here.

John Murray

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend John Murray for committeeperson in Ward 31, Division 14.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m a sustainable cities advocate who bikes and uses SEPTA for transit.

Marc Schwoerer

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Marc Schwoerer for committeeperson in Ward 31, Division 15.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

My main motivation in running for Committeeperson is to reform our ward. The 31st is currently a closed ward meaning that the ward leader alone makes decisions on endorsements etc. They essentially rubber stamp whatever the party leadership decides with no say from the Committee members. Sometimes the decisions made the party apparatus do not align with the values of our individual divisions and our ward in general. I also consider closed wards to be undemocratic.

Mindy Isser

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Mindy Isser for committeeperson in Ward 36, Division 11.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m a South Philly mom and every single day I see how our built environment makes regular working people unsafe. It doesn’t have to be this way! We can have safe streets where pedestrians, cyclists, and yes, even drivers can move around safely… if we have the political will for them! I hope to work with my ward leader Kenyatta Johnson to make our ward safer.

Jack Ozment

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Jack Ozment for committeeperson in Ward 36, Division 41.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

My name is Jack Ozment, I am 35 years old. I am a musician and software dev. I have lived in Philadelphia for 15 years, and have lived in South Philadelphia for 10 years.

I want Philadelphia to be an inclusive, affordable, safe place for anyone to live how they want to. That means advocating for more affordable housing, making our streets safer, increasing public transit access, and keeping ICE out of our neighborhoods.

Diversity, affordability, and accessibility are a huge part of what makes Philadelphia special, and I want to make sure the people in my division have a voice in making our city a better place.

Wei Chen

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Wei Chen for committeeperson in Ward 39, Division 1.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

My name Wei Chen, my day to day job work for Asian American United’s (AAU) as civic engagement director. In 2011, I started in AAU as the Chinese Youth Organizing Project (CYOP) programs coordinator. In 2014, I launched Chinatown Vote which has registered hundreds of voters and supported thousands of Asian voters. In 2020, I co-founded Pennsylvania’s first Asian-focused 501(c)4 organization, Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance (API PA), and now serve as Board chair.

I am also a vice-chair of Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia. I was one of lead organizer fight against the 76er Arena build in Chinatown. As 1.5 gen immigrant, I fought hard for immigration justice. I fought hard for public education and working classes.

Joline Price

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Joline Price for committeeperson in Ward 39, Division 28.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

My name is Joline Price, I am the current committeeperson for Ward 39, Division 28 and I am running for reelection. I am a mom, and I send my kids to our local public elementary school. I believe in strong, robust public education and that every student matters, regardless of neighborhood. I believe that everyone has a right to a safe, habitable, affordable home and neighborhood. This includes stable housing, affordable utilities, and walkable neighborhoods with green spaces. It also requires that our neighborhoods be free from the terror of ICE and other state-sanctioned violence.

As a committeeperson, I support and get out the vote for candidates that align with these values, and work to hold them accountable when elected to office.

Sean Murphy

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Sean Murphy for committeeperson in Ward 39, Division 42.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I live in South Philly and work at Temple University as a staff program coordinator in the Political Science Department. I am also a Master in Public Policy student and think a lot about making my neighborhood and city a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable place to live and work.

As part of that work, I want to serve my neighborhood as a Democratic Committeeperson to help support candidates who support those values and ensure my neighbors understand those issues when they vote or get involved.

Additionally, in my day job I work with undergraduates and deeply enjoy opening their eyes to public policy and ways to get involved with public service at various levels in Philadelphia. I have followed 5th Square’s work and would be honored to receive your endorsement.

Beckett Woodworth

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Beckett Woodworth for committeeperson in Ward 39, Division 45.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’ve proudly served as a Democratic Committeeperson for the past four years. I attended La Salle University and Temple University Beasley School of Law, and I now work in renewable energy, helping companies, cities, towns, and nonprofits make the clean energy transition.

I’ve also pushed the City to prioritize pedestrian safety, and as president of the board of the South Philly Food Co-op, I’ve worked to strengthen a more equitable, community-centered local economy. As Committeeperson, I’ll keep fighting for safer streets, more housing, and a Philadelphia that is accessible, sustainable, and fair for all residents.

Kristen Scalise

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Kristen Scalise for committeeperson in Ward 45, Division 7.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m a Port Richmond homeowner, active volunteer with Friends of Campbell Square, born in Mayfair, Temple Graduate and I have never owned a car in this city. I know it’s entirely possible to build safe infrastructure that’s good for all modes of transportation and I advocate for it every chance I can get.

I lobby Harrisburg for SEPTA funding, I am the constant email in city officials’ inbox. I am happily a squeaky wheel for transit and bike lanes while also building connections with neighbors who maybe don’t always agree with me. I believe that radical optimism is the way to build a better world together.

Isabel Knight

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Isabel Knight for committeeperson in Ward 46, Division 8.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m Isabel and I help run a group called Philly Community Deathcare that teaches people how to care for someone after they have died and hosts death-positive educational opportunities like movie nights, end of life planning events, and shrouding workshops.

I am running for committeeperson because I would love for the 46th ward, which has some of the highest voter turnout in the city, to be an open ward that engages our neighborhood to make endorsements.

As someone who has never owned a car, I am committed to advocating for progressive policies like funding public transit and making roads safer for everyone. Just this year, the Streets Department made one of the streets by my house one-way and put in a protected bike lane, and it has already made my day to day life feel much safer.

Joseph Meier

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Joseph Meier for committeeperson in Ward 46, Division 20.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I’m running with Wards That Work to help open the ward to increase community engagement and maximize voter turnout.

I’m a mortgage lender that works primarily with working class first time homebuyers. I’m passionate about good affordable housing, bike/pedestrian safety, crime prevention via community investment and keeping Philly Philly.

James C Bridgeforth

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend James C Bridgeforth for committeeperson in Ward 46, Division 22.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I've worked behind the scenes for years usually coordinating logistics or knocking on doors for candidates that I believe in. But after a year of reflecting on the challenges facing our communities, I decided it was time to do more.

I deeply believe in the power of community voice in policymaking and decision making. I'm running for Committee Person because I know that better is possible for all of Philadelphia and I want our party to support candidates who believe in that vision too.

I'm committed to organizing in our neighborhood before, during, and after every election because I know that when we come together to mobilize, share resources, we can build the city we all deserve.

Fahmida Hussain

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Fahmida Hussain for committeeperson in Ward 46, Division 23.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

Being a resident of Philadelphia for 3 decades, of which 2 decades devoted to the public health sector, I am deeply committed to community-centered problem solving, with a strong belief that cities thrive when every resident can live with dignity, stability, and access to essential resources.

To advance a more accessible Philadelphia, I would prioritize reducing barriers to essential services such as transportation, housing, and public spaces by designing systems that work for everyone, especially seniors, people with disabilities, and historically underserved communities. This includes advocating for improved public transit reliability, safer pedestrian infrastructure, and inclusive digital access to city services.

Sustainability, to me, is both environmental and economic. I would support initiatives that expand green infrastructure, reduce waste, and promote clean energy, while also ensuring that these efforts create jobs and lower costs for residents.

Equity is the foundation that ties everything together. Equity requires tracking results and changing systems when fairness is lacking. I would work to ensure that policy decisions are guided by data and community input, with intentional investments in neighborhoods that have been historically disinvested.

Being a first-generation immigrant myself, I am also committed to protecting immigrant communities by advocating for policies and partnerships that prevent unjust enforcement practices and ensure that no resident lives in fear of displacement or oppression related to immigration status. My overall approach is rooted in collaboration. I would engage residents, community organizations, and local leaders as partners, not just stakeholders, to co-create solutions that reflect the city’s diversity.

C. Michael Robinson

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend C. Michael Robinson for committeeperson in Ward 52, Division 23.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I am a progressive municipal executive, policy strategist, and lifelong public servant who has spent my career operating at the intersection of governance, equity, and implementation.

My vision for Philadelphia is grounded in a simple premise: accessibility, sustainability, and equity are not competing priorities, they are mutually reinforcing outcomes of good policy design. A city that is truly accessible is one where residents can move safely and affordably without reliance on a car. A city that is sustainable is one that aligns land use, housing, and transportation to reduce cost burdens while improving quality of life.

To advance that vision, I will prioritize systems-level reforms. That includes supporting land use policies that enable more housing, particularly near transit, while pairing development with strong anti-displacement strategies so existing residents can remain and benefit. It means advocating for sustained, predictable funding for public transportation and designing streets that prioritize safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users, not just vehicle throughput. And it means treating public space as essential civic infrastructure, ensuring it is safe, well-maintained, and genuinely accessible to all residents.

John Mahlman

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend John Mahlman for committeeperson in Ward 57, Division 4.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

Born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, I went to college in Brooklyn before returning home after nearly a decade away. I have called Pennypack Park home since 2012 and consider myself unapologetically Philadelphian.

I choose to live here despite working remotely, knowing I could save money by moving to the suburbs, because I genuinely love this city and believe deeply in its potential. Philadelphia has everything it needs to thrive, and I am committed to doing my part to help it get there.

I am a strong advocate for expanded and equitable public transit across Philadelphia, with a particular focus on underserved communities in the far Northeast. I have actively engaged in the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway planning process and the Route for Change public meetings, providing substantive feedback to help shape a transit vision that serves all residents.

I believe that affordable, reliable public transportation is foundational to a more accessible and equitable city, and I am committed to championing infrastructure investments that connect every neighborhood in Philadelphia.

I would also push for substantial investment in public parks like Pennypack Park, which, like many across the city, are severely underfunded and lacking basic amenities such as adequate trash receptacles, restrooms, and other basic comforts that residents in surrounding suburbs take for granted.

Gini George

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Gini George for committeeperson in Ward 58, Division 3.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

Hey.. My name is Gini George.. I’m a committee person in the Greater NE. My life’s ambition and goal is to get the most progressive candidates elected into office. I work with different organizations to advance the vision for a more accessible, sustainable and equitable Philadelphia for its residents.

Tariem Burroughs

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Tariem Burroughs for committeeperson in Ward 60, Division 3.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I have lived in this district for more than 15 years. I’ve been working on many community initiatives throughout my career, especially initiatives related to accessibility, sustainability and transportation. I currently work in the field of public health and community relations. I’m a big advocate of education and community wellness.

Robert Jackel

5th Square PAC is proud to recommend Robert Jackel for committeeperson in Ward 60, Division 8.

Remember to VOTE Tuesday, May 19th!

Bio:

I serve on the Walnut Hill zoning committee where I frequently advocate for variants to increase density and housing stock. I have served on the SEPTA CAC and have advocated for policies to make transit more safe and reliable.

I am a full-time public interest immigration lawyer and deeply believe that everyone who wants to deserves to live in this country. I believe that building housing, especially in our cities, is key both to ensuring that immigrants have a good place to live and that current residents see this city and country as a welcoming place that can absorb growth without displacing them.