Press Release

The Collective PAC Congratulates Seven of Our “Justice For All” Candidates on Winning their Primary Elections Throughout Pennsylvania 

Thursday, May 20th, 2021

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 our “Justice For All” candidates Judge Lori Dumas, Judge Timika Lane, Mark Lomax, Tinu Moss, Maraleen Shields, Tiffany Thomas-Smith and Greg Yorgey-Girdy on winning their elections throughout Pennsylvania. The Collective PAC, in partnership with its affiliated organization Collective Future, launched “The Collective’s Justice For All Initiative” a program focused on recruiting and supporting Black candidates committed to unapologetically pursuing justice and progressive criminal justice reform. Co-founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement: 

“The Collective PAC is excited to congratulate Judge Timika Lane on winning her primary election for Pennsylvania Superior Court and Judge Lori Dumas on her primary election victory for the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania — a court that currently has no Black judges. We’re also thrilled to congratulate Mark Lomax for winning his primary race for Bucks County Sheriff; Tinu Moss and Tiffany Thomas-Smith for winning their primary elections for Court of Common Pleas judgeships in Delaware and Bucks Counties; and Greg Yorgey-Girdy for winning his primary race for Philadelphia Municipal Court. 

All seven of these candidates are ready to build upon their impressive records as community and judicial leaders focused on seeking justice for all. The success of these candidates is the product of what happens when there is investment, commitment and support for Black candidates who are working to serve as changemakers to reform our criminal justice system. When elected in November, we are confident that these candidates will represent the principles that are important for our Justice For All Initiative: equity, fairness and justice.”

 

  • Judge Timika Lane (Candidate for Pennsylvania Superior Court) 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. 

 

  • Lori Dumas (Candidate for Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania) is a trusted leader who has served on the bench for over 18 years. She is a valued and impactful voice in the City of Philadelphia where she serves as a Common Pleas Court Judge in the Philadelphia Family Court, Juvenile Division. In this position, Lori has fought for fair and equal justice for the city’s most vulnerable children and families and has established herself as an innovative leader — creating the first Judicial District’s Juvenile Human Trafficking Court to provide services to youth victims of commercial exploitation. 

 

  • Mark Lomax (Bucks County Sheriff — PA) is a former Pennsylvania State Police officer who retired as Director of the Bureau of Training and Education in 2008 after serving 27 years on the police force. Mark currently serves on the Warrington Township Board of Supervisors and will bring more than 30 years of experience in leadership and management to the Sheriff’s office. 

  • Maraleen Shields (Candidate for Lehigh Court of Common Pleas —  PA) has 18 years of experience as an attorney and currently works at Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C., handling wide ranging litigation matters within the medical field. An active member of the Lehigh Valley community, Maraleen serves on the Board of Directors of the Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and was awarded their President’s Award in 2018.

 

  • Tinu Moss (Court of Common Pleas, Delaware County — PA) has spent the last 10 years practicing family, criminal and civil law and helping people navigate Delaware County courts. She knows firsthand that having a judge who is experienced and compassionate is vital to ensuring justice in decision-making. 

 

  • Tiffany Thomas-Smith (Court of Common Pleas, Bucks County —  PA) has two decades worth of trial experience and is the owner and managing partner of The Thomas-Smith Firm P.C. She has worked hard throughout her career to advocate with compassion and negotiate with integrity on behalf of her clients. As a Judge, Tiffany will continue to foster and strengthen relationships between the courts, law enforcement and the community. If elected, Tiffany will make history as the first Black woman to serve on the Court of Common Pleas in Bucks County.

 

  • Greg Yorgey-Girdy (Candidate for Philadelphia Municipal Court) is an experienced attorney with nearly two decades of law experience in Philadelphia focused on litigation, conflicts and compliance. Greg has long been a fierce advocate for historically underrepresented communities and in 2020, served as the lead organizer for the Philly Queer March for Black Lives. If elected, Greg would make history as the first Black and openly gay man elected to this position.

 

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.