Building Left Power in Philadelphia: Wards That Work!
Philly works when working people take charge. Together, we can use wards to fight for candidates and policies that protect tenants and workers, strengthen public schools and transit, and invest in libraries, parks, and recreation centers. By organizing with our neighbors and building leadership among the city’s multiracial working class, we create strong and engaged communities and a city run by the people, for the people.
We’re working to build left power within Philadelphia’s ward system by running a slate of committeeperson candidates in key wards. Our goal is to unite around a simple policy platform, engage voters, and collaborate with progressive organizations, elected officials, and labor unions to expand our influence.
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.
Unlike past efforts, we’re centering substantive left-wing policies to engage socialists and non-socialists in meaningful political action.
While each ward will have unique strategies based on local conditions, we aim to guide committee people before and after elections in a unified approach that represents working-class interests.
Our Roadmap to 2031
2025-2026: Recruit committeepeople, build coalitions, train organizers, and map future political opportunities.
2026-2027: Run and win committeeperson races, flip key wards, and establish leadership.
2027: Strengthen ward infrastructure, develop a citywide strategy, and consider a candidate for district city council.
2028: Support a candidate for the general assembly and continue filling vacancies.
2029-2031: Repeat recruitment and leadership development while mapping out future races, including mayoral and committeeperson elections.
Why this matters
Strengthens local organizing and grassroots political power.
Engages new people in substantive left-wing politics.
Provides a path to political victories at both the district and citywide levels.
Positions DSA as a leader in electoral organizing.
Beyond 2026: Building lasting neighborhood power
This project isn’t just about winning elections—it’s about building a long-term movement. We’re working with organizations like Reclaim Philadelphia, toward a structured coalition where committee people and ward leaders are accountable for a shared vision of progressive governance to last well beyond any election cycle.
