by Karen Bojar

On June 4, wards throughout the city met for what are known as ward reorganization meetings in which newly elected committeepeople are seated and ward leaders are elected. In many wards the incumbent ward leader or his chosen successor are elected by unanimous vote.

This may be the only time a committeeperson casts a vote, with democracy ending at the ward leader’s election.

Ward leaders are unpaid positions but routinely exercise a great deal of influence on their committees and by extension the voting public in their party, particularly for elections with candidates who are not well known. Judicial elections, which feature candidates that can’t campaign but run on party platforms are a good example of such races.

Prior to the 2018 elections, only five of the city’s 69 wards were what are generally known as “open” wards, where committee people vote on endorsements and on policies and procedures. The 9th (Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy), the 5th and 8th (Center City), and the 27th (West Philadelphia) became open wards in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Progress stalled until 1998, when the 30th Ward (Southwest Center City) joined the ranks of open wards

The increased interest in running for committeeperson in the 2018 primary elections, however, suggested that discontent with the undemocratic Democratic Party might finally be reaching a tipping point. The June 4 ward leader elections provide further evidence that change is coming to the Philadelphia Democratic Party.

Rabb wins 9th Ward leadership

There was a contest for leadership of the 9th Ward, which contains all of Chestnut Hill and the northern end of Mt. Airy, between State Representative and incumbent Ward Leader Chris Rabb and longtime committeeperson and community activist Dante Zappala.

Whatever the outcome of the contest for leadership in the 9th Ward, there was no question that the 9th would remain in the column of open, progressive wards, with both candidates committed to internal ward democracy. Rabb had promised he would work to expand transparency after first winning 9th Ward Leadership two years ago

Rabb won the ward leader position by a margin of 17 to 14. Zappala was then elected to the position of Ward Chair.

Although Rabb was endorsed by a vast majority in the 9th Ward Committee in last month’s primary election, a sense that his duties as an elected official interfered with the functions of ward leader prompted debate and Zappala’s candidacy. In the end, Rabb’s position wasn’t seen as disqualifying by those who supported him. Both Zappala and Rabb said they were eager to work together to elect Democrats in November.

"It was a very close vote and I'm humbled by the amount of support I received going against an incumbent ward leader and State Representative,” Zappala said. “I'm honored to work with him now as we take on the critical task of reelecting Tom Wolf and Bob Casey."

Rabb said he would spend his next term as ward leader working in four areas: modernizing the ward’s use of technology and social media, engaging and learning from the electorate, partnering with like-minded wards and ward leaders in the city and advancing priorities held in consensus in the ward.

“Together with our newly composed executive committee, our leadership team can affirmatively embrace a more collaborative leadership approach that empowers the broad diversity of thought and perspectives that are the hallmarks of our ward,” Rabb said.

Bass wins 22nd Ward

Councilperson Cindy Bass won a four-way contest for the leadership of the 22nd Ward, by a margin 26 to 18 over the runner up, Councilperson Derek Green. Former ward leader Vernon Price was elected Ward Chair.

While the 22nd Ward has not enjoyed its 9th Ward neighbor’s reputation for openness, committeepeople are cautiously optimistic that the 22nd will become an open, democratic ward.

“I have no doubt the new 22nd Ward will be markedly different and better than one it replaced, said veteran committeeperson and longtime community activist Maurice Sampson

“There is wide consensus to become an open ward, but it’s unclear it will be considered progressive,” he said. “There was a large contingent of new and ‘independent’ voters, including those encouraged to run with help from Neighborhood Networks. This contingent was truly committed to hearing the candidates before making a decision. Enough were persuaded to vote for Cindy to make her the clear choice.”

Newly elected committeeperson and political activist Numa St. Louis was also optimistic

“I’m excited to be part of a revitalized 22nd Ward,” he said. “The 22nd has seen an infusion of new committeepeople and had the opportunity to choose from a group of people running for ward leader.”

South Philadelphia wards reform

The spirit of openness extended beyond the “usual suspect” wards that have a tradition of openness.

A group of committeepeople committed to ward democracy took control of South Philadelphia’s 1st and 2nd wards. The 2nd Ward elected reformers Nikil Saval as ward leader and Kelly Morton as Ward Chair.

“Nikil promised to work with everyone to make Ward 2 an open, democratic ward and I have trust in his intention and ability to do so,” said 2nd Ward Committeeperson Lizzie Rothwell. “It looks and feels like a very abrupt shift for the culture of Ward 2, but in some ways I think the groundwork was laid for this in 2010 and 2014, and this time around, an effective coalition of veteran committee people, experienced activists, and energized newcomers were ready to force a change.”

In the neighboring 1st Ward, sentiment was equally positive following the election of Adams Rackes as ward leader and Kathleen Melville as Ward Chair

“As a newly elected committeeperson in Philadelphia's 1st Ward, I'm encouraged by our renewed commitment to a democratic ward that gives a voice to all elected committeepeople, said Leigh Goldenberg. “With Adams Rackes as ward leader and Kathleen Melville as ward chair, we have a shared commitment to leadership development, bringing individuals of diverse backgrounds and experience into the conversation.”

This represents a whole new world in South Philly politics.

Change is coming

With the change in leadership in the 1st, 2nd and 22nd Wards, the election of Progressives Anton Moore as leader of West Philadelphia’s 48th Ward and Gregory Benjamin as leader of West Philadelphia’s 51st ward, the number of open democratic wards has apparently risen to at least 10 wards.

Also new committeepeople with a commitment to ward democracy have been elected in wards throughout the city, and they will in all likelihood have an impact on the operation of their wards.

Change is coming to the Philadelphia Democratic Party.