Our Candidates
Learn about the candidates running for city council, judge, county commissioner, school board, and more in 2023!
Learn about the candidates running for city council, judge, county commissioner, school board, and more in 2023!
Judge Dan McCaffery is a military veteran and an experienced judge who wants “to restore faith in the judicial branch of government.” He sits on the Pennsylvania Superior Court and has a strong record of public services and putting everyday folks and working families first. The Pennsylvania Bar Association rates him as ‘Highly Recommended,’ citing his “broad experience as a practicing attorney, proven record of judicial leadership, high ethical standards and dedication to the legal profession and the community.” Judge McCaffery will stand with everyday Pennsylvanians to protect their rights and freedoms and ensure the courts protect the people, not just the rich and powerful.
Nina Ahmad is a candidate for one of Philadelphia’s City Council At-Large seats. Nina is a strong advocate for women and communities of color. As an immigrant, scientist, and small business owner - she has always found ways to work for her community. Nina currently serves as the President of the Pennsylvania chapter National Organization for Women (NOW). Additionally, she has served as a Deputy Mayor for Public Engagement under Mayor Kenney and as a member of President Barack Obama’s National Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Nina understands that community is hard-won and we have to fight for each other. She will fight for our communities because others have fought for her.
Rue Landau is a candidate for one of Philadelphia’s City Council At-Large seats. She is a civil rights attorney, a housing rights organizer, a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, and a public school parent. Rue started her career as an activist and housing organizer - demanding access to affordable housing and providing social services during the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As an attorney, she worked at Community Legal Services to help thousands of low-income renters in Philadelphia. She served as the director of both the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations and the Fair Housing Commission, during her tenure she transformed the agencies into national models for government and community engagement. She is working to deliver the kind of lasting, community-led change that will give everyone in Philadelphia the opportunity to thrive.
Kendra Brooks is a candidate for one of Philadelphia’s City Council At-Large seats. She is currently serving as a city council member. Before entering public service, she worked as a parent and organizer to advocate for neighborhood public schools and against gun violence in Philadelphia. While on City Council, Kendra passed policies that cut evictions by 75%, expanded funding to mobile crisis units and provided non police responses to mental health crises, and restored Parks + Recreation funding to pre-pandemic levels. Emergency Housing Protection Act, prevented thousands of Philadelphians from being displaced and cut evictions by 75%. Kendra is working alongside community members and her fellow members of council to return power to the people of Philadelphia and deliver for all of us.
Nicolas O'Rourke is a candidate for one of Philadelphia’s City Council At-Large seats. He is the son of middle class parents who taught him the value of hard work. As an activist and reverend, he has always stood by communities most in need. Nicolas is working to build a more just Philadelphia. He is dedicated to creating a Philadelphia with jobs that pay a living and a decent wage, homes Philadelphians can afford, schools they can be proud of and streets they feel safe in.
Jamie Gauthier is a candidate for Philadelphia’s City Council in district 3. She grew up in West Philadelphia and is currently serving on the City Council to build strong communities throughout Philadelphia. Jamie is serving on the City Council to improve education, create good jobs, create green spaces, and fight for fairness, equality, and justice for all of our communities.
Kay Yu is a candidate for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Kay has dedicated her life to helping people. As a child, Kay experienced the challenge of being an undocumented immigrant. She earned her citizenship, education, and law license through hard work and belief in the American Dream, a vision of America in which diversity and acceptance provides the foundation for a stronger, more compassionate nation. As a public servant, she served as the first Asian-American chairperson of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. She spearheaded the commission's landmark legislative effort to overhaul the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance and empowered the Commission to combat wrongful discrimination. While chairperson of the Commission on Human Relations, Kay presided over a year-long series of 11 public hearings to address intergroup conflicts in the City’s public schools after racially-motivated violence at South Philadelphia High School in December 2009.
Brian McLaughlin is a candidate for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. He was born and raised in Philadelphia and is recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association. With over 25 years of courtroom experience, he has proven himself to be a fair and empathetic person who will administer equal justice to all.
John Padova is a candidate for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. He is a proud lifetime Philadelphian. He’s highly recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association who has a proven track record for delivering fair, compassionate justice for every person who has come before him. He is a fair and experienced judge who will deliver for Philadelphians.
Samantha Williams is a candidate for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. She is a life-long resident of Philadelphia. As a child of an immigrant and activist, she was instilled with the value of community growing up, and has spent her career serving the public. Philadelphia’s court system is the driving force when it comes to public safety, justice and fairness in this city. It is critical that our local judiciary reflect those most likely to face obstacles and challenges within our system. Samantha Williams is running for judge because she cares about the future of this city and has the practical experience and the life experience to make a difference.
Tamika Washington is a candidate for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. At a young age, she knew that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. She has spent her legal career serving the needs of the community. With her extensive history in civil, criminal, and family courts, she has proven she has the integrity, fairness, and compassion to make the decisions affecting the lives of Philadelphians.
Caroline Turner is a candidate for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. She is a proud immigrant who moved to the United States in 1998. She is a former nurse and public defender who has always fought against injustice. She earned a Master’s degree in Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Temple School of Law as a single mother of 4 young children. She has pledged to support grassroots community leaders in their efforts to bring hope, dignity, restoration, transparency, accountability, and compassion to her decisions.
Neil Makhija is a candidate for Montgomery County Commissioner. He is a Lecturer in election law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. He has built an expertise on issues of voting rights and Pennsylvania election laws. In 2022, he provided public testimony on fair redrawing of Pennsylvania’s gerrymandered state house maps. In his former law practice, Neil built an experienced background on issues of mental health & addiction. He represented Pennsylvania counties in litigation against Purdue Pharma for causing the opioid crisis.
Jamila Winder is a candidate for Montgomery County Commissioner. She is a lifelong resident of East Norriton Township, a former student of the Norristown Area public schools, and a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and Eastern University. She is an engaged community member who has served on the Norristown Area School Board and as Chair of the East Norriton Board of Supervisors. She has also served on the board of Women in Transition and was a "Big" with Big Brother's Big Sisters for more than 10 years.
Kenneth Hong is a candidate for Tredyffrin Easttown School Board in Region 2. He is a proud product of public schools and parent to 3 teenage boys. He is the Co-director of Make Us Visible PA, a non-partisan organization advocating for Asian Pacific American studies in K-12 schools. Kenneth is running for school board to maintain the standard of excellence for which the district is known and ensuring that every child has access to high-quality education.
Karen Smith is a candidate for Central Bucks School Board in region 1. She is running to make sure our schools focus on academics, mental and physical health, and safety and inclusion for all students. Karen has served on the Central Bucks School Board for nearly eight years and in that time has served as the School Board Vice-President, board representative on the Bucks County Intermediate Unit Board, and as a representative on the MBIT board. Karen is passionate about the importance and value of public schools in our society. She wants to see our schools teach independent thinking so that our children can reason for themselves, handle challenging topics and become successful in this country.
Heather Reynolds is a candidate for Central Bucks School Board in region 2. As an engaged parent in the community, she is involved in various Home and School Association committees and events, a board member for iRun4Life and Chair of the Gives Back Committee, coaching boys basketball for the Doylestown Athletic Association and volunteering for Girls on the Run. Heather’s professional and personal experiences will serve as a solid foundation for her role as school board director. As a parent and former small business owner, she understands just how much school policies affect our community, our taxes, and our families. She is a passionate leader, empathic listener, and utilizes integrity while making decisions that impact her community. She is a fearless advocate. Her decision to run for a seat on the school board was born from a desire to actively support teachers and staff and keep the needs of all students and our community at the forefront of every decision made.
Dana Foley is a candidate for Central Bucks School Board in region 3. She is a nurse practitioner, parent, and engaged community member. She is running to Advocate for students and staff, engage with the community through listening and transparency, and inspire others by working together. She wants to build a Central Bucks School Board that solves problems by using pragmatic approaches and balanced solutions. Her experience as a parent in Central Bucks School District, including her time spent as a homeroom coordinator, have helped inspire her to run for the position of School Board Director and advocate for students, teachers and families in her community.
Rick Haring is a candidate for Central Bucks School Board in region 6. He is running because every student deserves to have a school where teachers feel trusted, supported and valued to be their creative selves and are able to welcome every student to equitable and safe spaces were they can thrive and learn about all aspects of the world. As a parent, spouse to a compassionate teacher, and community member, Rick Haring understands that public education matters. That every student deserves a school where they feel safe and where they can thrive and learn about all aspects of the world. Every teacher deserves to work in an environment where they are trusted, supported, and valued. He will work tirelessly to make that happen.
Susan Gibson is a candidate for Central Bucks School Board in Region 8. She is running to ensure safe and inclusive schools, academic excellence, and fiscal responsibility. She is the proud parent to four amazing children, a small business owner, and has volunteered at school events and in her children’s classrooms. She has served on several non-profit boards in our area, and regularly looks for ways to support the community. She is fully invested in the success of our children and our community at large.
Alexandra Darion is a candidate for Lower Moreland School Board. She is a proud parent and product of the public school system. She has a Master of Education in Secondary School Counseling and is a licensed professional counselor with experience serving public schools as a behavioral specialist.
Amanda Blanton is a candidate for Lower Moreland School Board. She has over 15 years of communications experience working with education, technology, and civic organizations. She currently volunteers on Pine Road Elementary Diversity & Engagement Committee and as a board member of a local nonprofit Pennypack Farm & Education Center.
Frank McKee is a candidate for Lower Moreland School Board. He is an educator with 50 years of experience, including 35 years at Lower Moreland. He served our community for 8 years as a principal, and was the LM Track & Cross Country Coach for 20 years. He is currently a professor and the director of American Studies at LaSalle University.
John Butler is a candidate for Lower Moreland School Board. He is a current School Board Member and has been an active resident of the Lower Moreland community for over 20 years. He has served the community as a private practice physician for 27 years and was previously the Medical Director of Holy Reddemer’s Hospice for 17 years.
Saji Mathew is a candidate for Lower Moreland School Board. He is a proud product of the Philadelphia Public School System and graduate of Drexel University. He is a proud parent of two Lower Moreland students. He has over 20 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, and corporate auditor with specializations in risk assessment, internal control, capital projects review, and budget analysis.
Nalini Krishnankutty a candidate for State College Borough Council. She is a first-generation immigrant American, parent, long-time resident and community leader who has called State College her home for more than 30 years. She will work with residents and local governments to increase equitable access to resources, and to strive towards a more inclusive community where everyone feels empowered to make a difference.
Matt Herndon is a candidate for State College Borough Council. He is a member of the State College Transportation Commission and Central PA United. He is running to make State College a great city that is ready for the future. He wants to ensure that it can be a truly green city with affordable housing and better government services for all.
