Statement: Democratic Party Primary 2023
On Tuesday, Philadelphian voters went to the polls to cast their ballots in the Democratic Party primary. An exciting progressive slate, which consisted of some YCL allies, came forth to challenge the bourgeois machine. Although we did not get the results we had hoped for, there are valuable lessons that the YCL has been able to pull from this experience.
There is no substitute for mass outreach and community building. The areas that progressives were not able to win were working class Black neighborhoods. Yes, progressive programs and ideas would elevate the entire Philadelphian working class, which is largely black. However, progressive programs and ideas alone are not enough to convince Black voters that any candidate deserves their vote. Especially when the advocates of that program and those ideas are unfamiliar to them. Cherelle Parker and other Democratic slate candidates were able to win over those neighborhoods not only because of her connections to incumbent city council members, ward leaders, and committee people. But also because those connections were familiar to and trusted by the community. It’s easy to understand why the average worker who may not be very politically engaged would trust the counsel of a committee person who’s been their neighbor for some years over a volunteer who comes to their neighborhood once. This should not be overlooked.
It would also be an error to overlook the fact that only 27% of registered voters cast ballots in this election, almost a 15% decrease from the 2019 citywide Democratic primary. Meaning that only 27% of voters had their say in who will be dictating the direction of Philadelphia for the next four years. The local Democratic Party is touting this election as a victory over progressives and championing themselves as the party for working-class Philadelphians. But given how low voter turnout is, we can hardly call this a victory for workers or democracy.
The results of this election now put a spotlight on the next upcoming election, where Working Family Party candidates Kendra Brooks and Nic O’Rourke are looking to oust the GOP from Philadelphia City Council. A full sweep electoral victory for them would make the Democratic Party the new right-wing opposition force, which only better serves the YCL and CPUSA.
The Philly YCL will continue to make connections in all working-class neighborhoods in Philadelphia to connect with progressive community members who may find that their interests lie in the CPUSA program. This means we will be engaged in all arenas of progressive struggle and additionally connect with workers on a cultural basis. Sporting events, bars, music shows, art shows, clubs, the theater, our workplaces, libraries, and parks are all places where we can deeply connect with our neighbors. We must keep hope alive and continue the struggle for socialism in Philadelphia.
In Solidarity,
Philadelphia Young Communist League