WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, The Collective PAC, the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political representation and power across all levels of government, endorsed two candidates for judicial office: Judge Timika Lane for the Pennsylvania Superior Court and Angela Cunningham for the Wisconsin Circuit Court. These endorsements are part of The Collective’s Justice for All Initiative, focused on electing more reform-minded Black leaders to impactful positions in the criminal justice system. Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“Justice is always on the ballot, and today, The Collective PAC is excited to endorse two phenomenal candidates who will help build a more equitable judiciary in their respective states. Despite judges’ critical role in our legal and criminal justice systems, too many judicial elections remain overlooked and under resourced. We need to elect more empathetic, experienced, and determined Black leaders to these positions, who can make thoughtful legal decisions and address the pervasive and entrenched inequities within our carceral system. Given the gross underrepresentation of Black women in elected judicial roles and the recent launch of our Justice For All Initiative, we’re especially proud to stand with dynamic candidates like Angela Cunningham and Judge Timika Lane and look forward to supporting them on the campaign trail.”

Judge Timika Lane (Candidate for Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge) has long been on the frontlines fighting to expand civil rights protections and help Pennsylvania’s most underserved communities. Throughout her career, she has worked as a public school teacher, Chief Legal Counsel for Pennsylvania State Senator Anthony Williams, and the Democratic Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee. Judge Lane currently serves in the Major Trials Division of the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas where she rules on felony crimes and is the sole judge handling human trafficking cases.

Angela Cunningham (Candidate for Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge, Branch Six) understands the importance of community, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Urban League of Racine and Kenosha and the Catholic Charities Board of Trustees. A defense attorney with her own law firm, Angela is committed to restorative justice, rehabilitation, and community intervention, and will bring those ideals to the Wisconsin Circuit Court. If elected, she is poised to make history as Kenosha’s first Black judge.

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 representation and power across all levels of government — and its 501(c)4 affiliated organization, Collective Future, — are officially launching the Justice For All Initiative to help elect more Black leaders to impactful positions in the criminal justice system. This groundbreaking initiative will focus on recruiting and supporting Black candidates seeking to serve as state’s and district attorneys, judges, sheriffs, and attorneys general in states across the country. The Justice For All Initiative will be a key component of The Collective PAC’s work to close the representation gap of Black leaders serving in positions of power while supporting candidates who will unapologetically pursue progressive criminal justice reform. According to the Women’s Donor Network, currently, 95 percent of elected prosecutors in the United States are white.

“After a year of grieving, Breonna Taylor’s family is still reeling from her unjust murder and Kentucky’s Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s reckless refusal to deliver justice,” said Stefanie Brown James, co-founder and senior Advisor of The Collective PAC. “Breonna’s story, experienced by Black people all across this country, puts the spotlight on the need to elect reform-minded leaders who respect and reflect our communities, and are committed to undoing the archaic, racist laws and policies that are the bedrocks of the American “injustice” system. Justice is always on the ballot because our lives are on the line.”

“The Justice For All Initiative will help give Black candidates running for these critical offices the tools and resources necessary to implement a winning campaign,” said Quentin James, co-founder and president of The Collective PAC. “We launched the Justice For All Initiative because the best way to change the laws is to change the lawmakers and work with them to build an America that finally lives up to its founding principles of justice and liberty for all. From ending cash bail and reforming bond agreements to overturning wrongful convictions and addressing recidivism, we’re excited to build a collective of leaders across the country committed to advancing equitable policies that restore justice and accountability to our legal system.”

To launch Justice For All, The Collective PAC will be hosting multiple events with candidates, elected officials and advocates working to address criminal justice reform throughout the remainder of March. The events include a fundraiser with Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06) on March 18th; a panel discussion with Justice For All candidates running for office this year including Delegate Jay Jones (candidate for Virginia Attorney General) and Alvin Bragg (candidate for Manhattan District Attorney) on March 24th; and a “Lunch and Learn” detailing the program with key partners working to reform the system on March 31st.

The Collective PAC will recruit and expand the slate of leaders running for these offices and raise funds to help support their campaigns. Several current elected officials, including Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx (IL) and Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins (MA), who will also serve on the Justice For All Advisory Board to advise on recruitment strategies for potential candidates and raise awareness about the importance of Black representation in seats of power throughout the criminal justice system.

Through The Collective PAC’s affiliated 501(c)4 organization Collective Future, the Justice For All Initiative will also offer culturally competent training for Black lawmakers and staffers on how to run successful campaigns and prepare for challenges that may arise when pushing for progressive reform on the campaign trail and in office. In addition, Collective Future will house independent expenditure efforts as a part of the initiative and build out policy resources focused on tracking and formulating effective strategies for policymakers to craft solutions, with a focus on wrongful convictions, trial penalty, mass incarceration, recidivism, and police accountability. Justice For All candidates will have the forum to share best practices and new innovations that will help the movement for criminal justice reform grow across the country.

Since the “soft launch” of the Justice For All Initiative in the fall of 2020, Collective Future has raised over $100,000 for the effort and The Collective PAC has endorsed five Justice For All candidates thus far during the 2021-2022 election cycle: Jay Jones, candidate for Virginia Attorney General; Alvin Bragg, candidate for Manhattan (NY) District Attorney; Stephanie Morales for reelection as Commonwealth’s Attorney in Portsmouth (VA); Angela Cunningham, candidate for Judge on the Kenosha (WI) Circuit Court, Branch 6; and Judge Timika Lane, candidate for the Pennsylvania Superior Court.

For a listing of The Collective PAC’s current Justice For All candidates, visit  collectivepac.org/justice-for-all-initiative.

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 representation and power across all levels of government, endorsed four candidates for state and local office in Virginia: Delegate Lashrecse Aird (HD-63), Delegate Alex Askew (HD-65), Debra Gardner (HD-27), and Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales (Portsmouth). Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James released the following statement:

“From the statehouse to the commonwealth’s attorney’s office, Black leaders across Virginia continue to lead the charge for building a more progressive, equitable, and inclusive Commonwealth. The Collective PAC is proud to stand with Delegates Lashrecse Aird and Alex Askew, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales in their bids for reelection. We also look forward to helping community leader Debra Garner flip the critical HD-27 seat from red to blue. Lashrecse, Alex, Stephanie and Debra represent the best of Virginia and have the experience, integrity, and compassion necessary to bring about real change and champion the issues most important to Virginia’s working families and underrepresented communities.”

Del. Lashrecse Aird (HD-63) has been serving the residents of District 63 since 2016, when she became the youngest woman ever elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. A champion for criminal justice reform, last year, Lashrecse introduced “Breonna’s Law” legislation to ban no-knock search warrants statewide, which was recently signed into law. Once reelected, Lashrecse will continue to fight for working families by improving public education, prioritizing job creation, and expanding economic and social justice across the state.

Del. Alex Askew (HD-65) hit the ground running in his first term, signing bills into law that would protect first responders and ensure clean drinking water in schools and daycare centers. As a former chief of staff in the statehouse, Alex has previously worked on groundbreaking legislation to expand Medicaid, increase affordable housing, and promote school safety. During his second term, he will continue to push for affordable and accessible health care, economic expansion, and environmental safety.

Debra Gardner (Candidate for HD-27) is a non-profit leader and former social worker with more than 30 years of experience serving the people of Chesterfield County. She will put people over parties and special interest groups while in office and fight for affordable health care and good jobs once she flips this district from red to blue in November.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales (Portsmouth, VA) made history in 2015 when she became the first woman to serve as the Commonwealth’s Attorney of Portsmouth, Virginia. With nearly a decade of experience working to advance criminal justice reform, Stephanie is a proven champion for equality and fairness, who will fight for her community and hold power to account. As Commonwealth’s Attorney, she has helped reduce incarceration rates, recidivism, and the prosecution of nonviolent offenses, all while increasing diversity within her office.

This cycle in Virginia, The Collective PAC has also endorsed Jay Jones for Attorney General, and Kyle Elliott, Rod Hall, Matt Rogers, and Briana Sewell for the House of Delegates.

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.