The New Pittsburgh Courier editorial board endorses the following candidates for the May 21, 2019 Primary Election:
RICH FITZGERALD
Allegheny County Executive
The New Pittsburgh Courier endorses Rich Fitzgerald for his stewardship of county finances, his contributions to growing the region’s economy, his appointment and retention of African American department heads, board members and staff, and his outreach and availability to Black businesses and the community. He is a regular visitor to the Courier’s offices to answer tough questions concerning his performance and how it affects African Americans in Allegheny County.
TURAHN JENKINS
Allegheny County District Attorney
Turahn Jenkins has an unwavering commitment to end overcharging, to end cash bond for minor non-violence arrests, and to have police-involved shootings investigated by an outside agency—all of which incumbent DA Stephen A. Zappala has declined to do. Jenkins has been endorsed by multiple organizations, but most notably, he’s endorsed by Michelle Kenney, the mother of Antwon Rose II. Even though Mr. Zappala did file criminal homicide charges against Officer Michael Rosfeld, other decisions were not approved by the Black community, specifically not filing charges against the Port Authority officers who shot Bruce Kelley Jr., a Black man, in 2016. Jenkins is vocal, accessible, and relatable. The New Pittsburgh Courier endorses Turahn Jenkins for Allegheny County District Attorney.
AMANDA GREEN-HAWKINS
Pennsylvania Justice of the Superior Court
Amanda Green-Hawkins gets the endorsement of the New Pittsburgh Courier for her commitment to eliminate implicit bias, her experience advocating for Black residents of Allegheny County Council District 13 for two terms, and her extensive experience in both public and private sector law. Mrs. Green-Hawkins should be on her way to a seat on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
MARK BRENTLEY SR.
Pittsburgh City Council District 1
Quincy Kofi Swatson, 28, an up-and-coming African American who originally put his hat in this race, said he wanted to lend his full support to the veteran in this game called politics. That man would be Mark Brentley Sr. Brentley spent 16 years on the Pittsburgh Public Schools Board, he is a well-known figure in Pittsburgh who has no desire to be bought, and all the desire to introduce policies that will better the lives of African American residents on the North Side. The Courier believes Mr. Brentley is the best candidate for Pittsburgh City Council District 1.
REV. RICKY BURGESS
Pittsburgh City Council District 9
You can’t be loved by everyone. Reverend Ricky Burgess is no different. Another election, another slew of candidates, many of whom are African American, trying to knock Rev. Burgess off his perch. But let’s talk facts. We know that Rev. Burgess has fought the good fight to keep affordable housing in East Liberty, when it seems as though African Americans aren’t supposed to be in East Liberty anymore. His HELP initiative has done good things for Lincoln-Lemington and Homewood. In fact, go to Homewood right now, and new homes are being built for African American residents. Rev. Burgess, flat out, gets things done, like him or not. The Courier endorses Rev. Burgess for Pittsburgh City Council District 9.
NOSAKHERE GRIFFIN-EL
Pittsburgh School Board District 2
Nosakhere Griffin-El is a no-nonsense brother. During the Vote School Board First! candidates forum on April 24 in the Hill District, audience members applauded his tough talk that he said would be brought to the nine-member Pittsburgh Public Schools Board, if elected. He is founder of the Young Dreamers Book Club, which advocates improving youth literacy. Griffin-El is a Pitt graduate who spent three years in South Africa as a professor before returning to Pittsburgh, who says that literacy is the “gateway to dreams.” The Courier is impressed by his passion, educational acumen, and knows that when he talks, people listen. He is our endorsed candidate for PPS Board District 2.
PAMELA HARBIN
Pittsburgh School Board District 4
Pamela Harbin, for years, has been a vocal advocate for improving the Pittsburgh Public Schools system, specifically eliminating out-of-school suspensions for kids in Kindergarten to second grade and beyond. There is not a PPS school board member who doesn’t know Harbin, because she’s a regular at board meetings. The Courier believes she should move right into a board member’s chair.
WILLIAM GALLAGHER
Pittsburgh School Board District 6
William Gallagher has spent 27 years as a teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools system, along with being a high school football coach. In an interview with A+ Schools, Gallagher said one of his main priorities if elected to the board is to “delineate and streamline Central Administration so everyone knows their job and is held accountable for providing support to all students and all teachers.” No one knows the district like a former teacher. Hold everyone accountable for student success and achievement. The Courier believes Mr. Gallagher is the top candidate for District 6.
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