Organization Adds Amanda McIllmurray and Helen Gym to its People’s Slate
WASHINGTON, D.C.—People’s Action today endorsed two progressive champions in Philadelphia municipal elections: Helen Gym for mayor and Amanda McIllmurray for Philadelphia City Council. Both candidates are proud members of Reclaim Philadelphia, a member-driven political powerhouse and affiliate of People’s Action. The two are running movement politics, people-powered campaigns and will govern alongside People’s Action’s member group Reclaim Philadelphia.
“This race is the top priority for the progressive left Philadelphia,” People’s Action Director of Movement Politics Marta Popadiak said. “Helen Gym has broad support from progressive organizations, open wards and labor unions in the city. She is running against millionaires backed by super PACs and an establishment backed candidate who wants to bring back ‘stop and frisk’ policing. We’re hopeful Philadelphia follows the victories seen in Chicago and elects a bold leader for Mayor who will fight to make our communities safer, our schools stronger, and Philadelphia more affordable no matter where you live.
“My major victories in office have come through people’s campaigns that strengthen organizing in our city–The Fair Workweek campaign, the fight for clean water, and anti-eviction work,” Gym said. “I use the power of my voice to drive public action and I will do the same as mayor of Philadelphia.”
Popadiak also pointed out that, at the city council level, Philadelphia has the chance to elect a movement champion. “Amanda McIllmurray is challenging the machine establishment in Philly,”Popadiak said. “She’s a brilliant organizer who has made major contributions to our movement politics work. She will bring an authentic working class perspective to the council.”
“I’ve used what I’ve learned from People’s Action to build power for the multiracial working class in my city. As cofounder and Political Director of Reclaim Philadelphia, I’ve spent the last six years leading and building our organization, electing our leaders to office and deeply investing in the leadership of community members citywide. I’m ready to bring my winning record to council and make this a seat for the people.”
People’s Action’s Movement Politics program recruits, runs, and elects progressives into local and statewide offices across the country. Since 2016, People’s Action has helped elect over 450 movement politics candidates. The program focuses on electing women, people of color, low-income and working class people who are grounded in progressive movement building with our member organizations.
Contact: Nazz Aboutabl, n.aboutabl@peoplesaction.org, 202.316.9658
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People’s Action builds the power of poor and working people in urban, rural, and suburban areas to win change through issue fights and elections. We are a national network of 40 state and local grassroots power-building organizations in 29 states–united in the work of building a bigger “we.”