Our ancestors fought and died so we would have the right to vote.
A big part of the Civil Rights struggle in the 1960s and ’70s was to open the doors of the voting booths so Negroes could vote. Yet in the last primary, only around 9 percent of Black voters came out to vote.
We are constantly complaining about how bad our lives are, how bad the city, the county and the country is. Yet, on what basis do we have to complain if we don’t do anything about correcting the many problems in our communities. And one way to help correct some of those problems is voting.
Many of us say that there’s not much choice. And you’re right. So then vote for the lesser of the two evils. Or just vote for the candidate you believe will make a difference. You don’t have to vote for the entire slate.
This is an off year election, where the top office is Allegheny County Executive and most of the positions are judges. But there are a few spots in which we urge you to vote. Here are the people we support.
Judges: All these positions are simply vote yes or no for retention except Superior Court in which David N. Wecht, Democrat and Vic Stabile, Republican, are running. We all know Cyril Wecht, who has been a champion for many of the causes in the Black community. Well his son David Wecht sought the Courier’s endorsement because he respects and cares about the many problems in the Black community. He can correct some of problems and make a difference as a Superior Court judge. We strongly urge all voters to vote for Wecht.
Allegheny County Chief Executive is another key race this year which pits Rich Fitzgerald, Democrat against D. Raja, Republican. Fitzgerald cared enough about the Black vote to contact the Courier and express his views on issues affecting the Black community. Raja did not. The Courier has endorsed Republican Jim Roddey and Larry Dunn in the past, yet Raja never sought our endorsement or to express his views to our readers. So our endorsement goes to Fitzgerald.
Allegheny County Controller pits Robert Howard, Republican against Chelsa Wagner, Democrat. Either candidate is qualified but we lean toward Wagner because of her government experience.
School Board race District 2 has Dara Ware Allen, Republican vs. Regina Holley, Democrat. Holley defeated Allen in the primary. Both are very qualified but we endorse Holley because to the best of our knowledge Allen is not actively running but her name remained on the ballot because she crossed filed in the primary.
School Board District 8. Mark Brentley, Democrat/Republican vs. Rosemary Moriarty, Independent. Moriarty is a very qualified candidate but we stick with Brentley even though sometimes he’s like a voice crying in the wilderness. But most of the time he’s right.
Two Blacks are running for County Council, Bill Robinson and Amanda Green Hawkins, but they have no opponent. Vote for them anyway.
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