WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, The Collective PAC  — the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political engagement, representation, and power across all levels of government — congratulates Commissioner Brandon Johnson on winning his run-off election and becoming the next mayor of Chicago, Illinois. 

Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“The Collective PAC is proud to congratulate Commissioner Brandon Johnson on winning his run-off election and becoming mayor of Chicago. His passion and personal experiences will guide him as he leads the City of Chicago. Commissioner Johnson will use his leadership in the mayor’s office to advance smart and innovative solutions that will address the root causes of violence and poverty in the city, including creating an office of Community Safety, investing more in areas like mental health and housing, and fully fund year-round youth employment opportunities. The Collective PAC is proud to have supported Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson and looks forward to seeing all of the great work he will do in Chicago.” 

 

 

ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE PAC 

The Collective PAC is working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state, and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward. Over the past five years, The Collective PAC has successfully helped 425 Black candidates win elections across the United States.

Throughout 2023, The Collective PAC will provide pertinent updates every month on our work to support Black candidates running nationwide, as well as results of key research projects and groundbreaking initiatives we’ll be undertaking as we work to increase Black political engagement, representation and power across all levels of government. 

 

Run-Off Victory in Arizona City Council Race   

On March 14th, Kesha Hodge Washington won her run-off election for the Phoenix City Council District 8 seat. With this win, Hodge Washington became one of two people to successfully defeat an incumbent for a city council race in Phoenix for the first time in two decades. Councilmember-Elect Hodge Washington, will take office on April 17th and for the first time in city history, Phoenix will have two Black city council members serving at one time. 

 

March Endorsements 

During the month of March, The Collective PAC made major mayoral endorsements:

• Brandon Johnson in his run-off election for mayor of Chicago, Illinois
• Leslie Herod as she runs to become Denver, Colorado’s first Black woman mayor
• Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas as he runs for re-election in Missouri 
• Charelle Parker as she runs to become the first Black woman to serve as mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

The Collective PAC also endorsed the following 11 candidates running in state and local elections in 7 states:

• Auon’tai M. Anderson, Denver Public Schools Board of Education, At-Large Seat, (CO) 
• Rahman Johnson, Jacksonville City Council, District 14 (FL)
• Karl Coleman, Decatur City Council, At-Large Seat (IL)
• Alisha Sonnier, Saint Louis board of Aldermen, Ward 7 (MO)
• Timika Lane, Superior Court Judge (PA)
• Haley Taylor Schlitz-Keller, Independent School District Board of Trustees, Place 4 (TX)
• Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, San Antonio City Council, District 2 (TX)
• Lashrecse Aird, Virginia State Senate, District 13 (VA)
• Adele McClure, Virginia House of Delegates, District 2 (VA)
• Makya Little, Virginia House of Delegates, District 19 (VA)
• Julius D. Spain, Sr., Arlington County Board (VA)

ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE PAC 

The Collective PAC is working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state, and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward. Over the past six years, The Collective PAC has successfully helped 425 Black candidates win elections across the United States.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, The Collective PAC  — the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political engagement, representation, and power across all levels of government — endorsed Cherelle Parker for mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Hon. Cherelle Parker is running for mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ms. Parker recently served as a Philadelphia City Council Member for District Nine. Before being elected to the city council, she was a State Representative for the 200th District and a teacher. While serving on the City Council, Ms. Parker was the majority leader and led the Philly First Home program, which assists first-time buyers with their down payment or closing costs, partnered with Community College of Philadelphia for Power Up Your Business, a small business training program, and introduced the Project Information Form, that lets the community know the environmental impacts that developments pose with their projects. If elected, she plans to reduce gun violence, empower the community through economic development, and continue to foster Philadelphia into a safer and greener city. 

Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“The Collective PAC is excited to endorse Cherelle Parker on her historic run to become the first Black woman mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With more than 16 years of dedicated public service to Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Ms. Parker has vast experience in making investments that benefit and improve neighborhoods throughout the city. Her dedication and passion for the City of Philadelphia continue to galvanize her advocacy for affordable housing, continued investment into the public education system, and ending the systemic poverty and violence that negatively impacts the city. The Collective PAC is proud to support Cherrelle Parker as she campaigns to become the first Black woman mayor of Philadelphia.”

 

ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE PAC 

The Collective PAC is working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state, and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward. Over the past six years, The Collective PAC has successfully helped 425 Black candidates win elections across the United States.