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 Ed Gainey for Mayor of Pittsburgh, PA; Ce-Ce Gerlach for Mayor of Allentown, PA; and Cecil Thomas for Mayor of Cincinnati, OH. Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement: 

“The Collective PAC is proud to endorse these three mayoral candidates who will bring critical action and progress to their respective cities. As our nation continues to deal with the economic and health challenges caused by COVID-19, now more than ever working families in Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Cincinnati deserve leaders who will bring pragmatic solutions and innovative leadership to their respective city halls. From the city council and the school board to the state house and the state senate, Ed Gainey, Ce-Ce Gerlach, and Cecil Thomas have a demonstrated track record as public servants committed to making their communities safer, more equitable, and more prosperous for all residents. Voters can trust that these leaders will bring that same dedication to city hall and The Collective PAC is committed to ensuring they become their next mayors of Pittsburgh, Allentown and Cincinnati.” 

Ed Gainey (Candidate for Mayor of Pittsburgh, PA) has represented Pennsylvania’s 24th Legislative District in the state house since 2013. A champion for vulnerable communities, Ed co-sponsored a bill to create a statewide moratorium on evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and previously introduced police reform legislation following the acquittal of an officer who murdered an unarmed Black teenager. Once in office, Ed is committed to building an inclusive economy that supports all families, rethinking public safety, and increasing investments in affordable housing.

Ce-Ce Gerlach (Candidate for Mayor of Allentown, PA) is a longtime community activist and former school board member currently serving in her first term on the Allentown City Council. As a first-generation college graduate with a background in education, Ce-Ce has spent her decade-long career in public service working to close the opportunity and achievement gap. Once in office, Ce-Ce will prioritize helping Allentown’s most vulnerable populations through plans that will tackle homelessness, public safety, economic justice and education. If elected, she will be the first Black person and first woman to serve as Allentown’s mayor.

Cecil Thomas (Candidate for Mayor of Cincinnati, OH) represents Ohio’s 5th Senate District and currently serves as Assistant Minority Leader. He has been a longtime champion of criminal justice reform, raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour and common sense gun reform. Cecil has worked in public service for more than forty years as a police officer, member of the Cincinnati City Council and executive director of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission.

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.

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, congratulated Councilmember Sandra Washington on winning her primary election for the Lincoln City Council and Naomi Hattaway on winning her primary for the Omaha City Council. Co-founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James released the following statement:

“The Collective PAC is excited to congratulate Councilmember Sandra Washington and Naomi Hattaway on advancing to the general election for their city council races in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, respectively. Both Sandra and Naomi have taken an active role in shaping their communities by advocating for progressive policies and finding creative solutions to critical issues facing working families. Having strong local leaders is vital and we are proud to support these two progressive champions in Nebraska and look forward to helping them win their general elections.”

Councilmember Sandra Washington (Lincoln City Council, Member at Large — NE) has served the people of Nebraska for 35 years. On the city council, she is focused on increasing access to affordable housing, building policies that center racial equity, and ensuring that Lincoln is ready to address the climate crisis. Sandra was previously a Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commissioner and was appointed to the Lincoln City Council in 2019.

Naomi Hattaway (Omaha City Council, District 6 — NE) is a native Nebraskan with more than 20 years of experience in leadership and community building. She will lead with empathy and compassion on the Omaha City Council and plans to increase access to public health services, advocate for community policing and ensure that Omaha has a plan to respond to the climate crisis.

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.