The Collective PAC Endorses 21 State & Local Candidates Across Seven States

Tuesday, May 10th, 2022

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 — has endorsed state and local candidates in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. 

Alabama 

• Mr. Wesley Thompson is running for the Alabama House of Representatives in District Three. Mr. Thompson is a local pastor, a substitute teacher, and a community leader, he understands the importance of creating a strong community.  If elected, Mr. Thompson plans to uplift and empower the students in the community and be a sounding board for the voiceless. 

 

Georgia

• Dr. Adrienne Simmons is running for Gwinnett County School Board District Four. Dr. Simmons has been a dedicated servant in public education for 20 years. If elected, she plans to advocate for intentional parent and community engagement, expand educational opportunities, and improve the decision-making process of the board.  

• Ms. Candice D. McKinley is running for DeKalb School Board District Two. Ms. Candice McKinley is an educator, an advocate, and civil rights lawyer. If elected, Ms. McKinley plans to uplift and improve the educational system in the district. 

• State Representative El-Mahdi Holly is running for re-election in Georgia’s 111th District. Rep. Holly plans to continue to empower his community by creating more job opportunities, fostering stronger communication between the community and law enforcement, and working to protect small businesses. 

• Ms. Joyce Barlow is running for Georgia’s 151st District. Ms. Barlow is a registered  nurse and small business owner. Ms. Barlow plans to advocate for the expansion of Medicaid, increase economic opportunities and funding for education, and accessible broadband.  

 

• Ms. Laverne Lewis Gaskins is running for Augusta Judicial Circuit Superior Court. Ms. Lewis Gaskins has been serving the community as a lawyer for the past 30 years. If elected, Ms. Lewis Gaskins plans to lead the community relying on her strong commitment to justice and judicial experience.

 

• Dr. Michelle Morancie is running for the Fulton County School Board. Dr. Morancie is a retired School Psychologist, and if elected she plans to increase staffing to address the mental health and wellness of students and focus on improving the quality of education in the district.  

 

• Judge Shalanda Miller is running for Atlanta Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge. Judge Miller currently serves Fulton County as a Juvenile Judge and aspires to serve as Superior Court Judge with integrity, compassion, and the passion to lead with legal knowledge. 

 

• Mrs. Tanya Miller is running for Georgia State House in District 62. Mrs. Miller is a civil rights and criminal defense lawyer and former Fulton County Assistant District Attorney. If elected, Mrs. Miller aspires to protect voting rights, and advocate for criminal justice reform, safer communities, and accessible healthcare. 

 

Kentucky

• Mr. Arnold L. Farr is running for an At-Large seat on the Lexington City Council. If elected, Mr. Farr plans to stimulate economic growth and community development in Kentucky.

• Ms. Denise Gray is running for Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government City Council, District Six. If elected, Ms. Gray plans to end gun violence and create economic opportunities throughout the county. 

• Mr. Lamin Swann is running for Kentucky House District 93. If elected, Mr. Swann plans to raise teacher salaries and the minimum wage, and advocate for affordable healthcare and reproductive rights.

 

New York 

• Ms. Lea Webb is running for New York State Senate District 53.  Ms. Webb formerly served as a Binghamton City Councilmember, and understands the need for continued civic engagement, creating new job opportunities, and advocating for her community. If elected, she aims to increase jobs, uplift small businesses, and advocate for health care expansion. 

 

North Carolina

• Mr. Allen Buansi is running for North Carolina House District 56. Mr. Buansi’s vision for North Carolina is to actively invest in public education, foster opportunities for everyone, especially for the vulnerable, and make healthcare more affordable and accessible for everyone. 

• Mr. Anthony Pierce is running for Board of Alamance County Commissioner. If elected, Mr. Pierce plans to improve education, public health, and safety throughout Alamance County. 

• Ms. Bettina Umstead is running for re-election for Durham Board of Education District Two. If re-elected, Ms. Umstead aims to continue to invest in the students and educators of Durham.

• Mrs. Diamond Staton-Williams is running for North Carolina House District 73. Mrs. Staton-Williams is a registered nurse and small business owner. If elected, she plans to focus on economic development, education, and infrastructure for rural communities. 

 

• State Senator Sydney Batch is running for re-election for North Carolina Senate District 17. If re-elected, Senator Batch plans to continue to fight for supporting families and small businesses, education, affordable healthcare, and safer communities.

• Ms. Yvette Townsend-Ingram is running for an At-Large seat on the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commission. Ms. Townsend-Ingram aims to improve services for families, address food insecurity, and uplift and improve the Minority Women and Small Business Enterprise Program.

 

Oregon

• Ms. Libra Forde is running for Clackamas County Commission. Ms. Forde currently serves as the CEO of a non-profit organization and she aspires to improve housing, education, child care, and health care for Clackamas County. 

 

Pennsylvania

• Mr. Izzy Smith-Wade-El is running for Pennsylvania State House District 49.  Mr. Smith-Wade-El is the current President of Lancaster City Council, and if elected will continue his fight for affordable housing and quality education.

 

 

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 300 Black candidates win elections across the United States.