As of today, the 9th Ward boasts 1,020 registered Republicans – a number that grows with each passing day. We are your small business owners and bankers, your doctors and lawyers, your students and retirees. We come from all walks of life, hold a range of beliefs, and are proud to call this corner of Northwest Philadelphia home. Some of us have lived here for generations, while others have just recently chosen to make this vibrant community our own. 

Despite high taxes, rising crime, and frequent disagreements with our neighbors, we stay because we believe in a vision for this city that works for everyone—not just those who follow the majoritarian view. 

We don’t always see eye-to-eye on policy or vision, but one thing that united and frankly shocked us all this week was the Local’s article, “Sign bandits hit Hill Democrats,” featuring a particularly disparaging remark from my Democratic counterpart, Ward Leader Mr. Jeffrey Duncan. “It’s the kind of juvenile stunt that I’ve come to expect from the Republicans,” Mr. Duncan quipped, taking a completely unfounded, cheap shot at his fellow community members.

Well, Mr. Duncan, let me set the record straight. The Republicans of the 9th Ward are not, and never have been, in the business of stealing campaign signs. We favor free speech and open discussion, yet we’re all too familiar with having our own signs swiped. Many of my constituents hesitate to openly voice their political views, not out of shame or uncertainty, but because they face blatant intolerance from their own neighbors—your constituents—who cannot seem to accept the fact that others may hold a different point of view. We know we are a speck of red in a sea of blue, but we carry that fact with pride. What we won’t tolerate, however, are baseless accusations.

To any Democrats who are tired of being dismissed by their own party, and who feel unrepresented in a city dominated by a single perspective, my door is always open. The 9th Ward Republican Committee is a diverse and growing community of individuals who believe in hard work, freedom of thought, and real solutions. As we fight for safer streets, better schools, and lower taxes, we welcome all who are ready to chart a new course and build a Philadelphia that works for everyone, not just the political elite. Let’s move beyond the pettiness, the accusations, and the name-calling. Join us, and let’s work together toward a better future.

Sincerely,

Mark Umansky, Republican Ward Leader, and the Philadelphia 9th Ward Republican Committee