Democrats Serve Endorses 27 candidates nationwide

All 27 state and local Democratic candidates receiving Democrats Serve PAC backing today have frontline public service backgrounds and will appear on a ballot on November 2, 2021.

(Milford, CT) – Today, Democrats Serve — a new national political action committee (PAC) supporting Democrats running for office with frontline public service backgrounds — is endorsing 27 state and local candidates from across the country for elections being held this coming November 2.

Brett Broesder, the PAC’s executive director, noted that all the candidates receiving an endorsement today have frontline public service experience and include several members of law enforcement.

“For frontline public service pros like those we’re endorsing today, strengthening their communities isn’t just a job; it’s a way of life,” said Broesder. “Their experience as frontline workers provides them with first-hand expertise in tackling the toughest challenges our communities face today. That’s why Democrats Serve — intending to make sure they have the support and resources that are necessary to win re-election — is proud to officially endorse their candidacies.”

The 27 Democrats running for state and local offices in 2021 — joining New York City Mayoral Candidate, and retired NYPD captain, Eric Adams — receiving an endorsement from Democrats Serve PAC include:

• Mayor of Birmingham Randall Woodfin (AL) – former Birmingham assistant city attorney

• Tucson City Council Candidate Kevin Dahl (AZ) – former Forest Service employee and Natural Parks Superintendent for Pima County

• Stamford Mayoral Candidate Caroline Simmons (CT) – former U.S. Department of Homeland Security policy analyst and U.S. Department of State staffer

• New Haven Alderman Darryl Brackeen (CT) – former educator

• Shelton Planning and Zoning Commissioner Jimmy Tickey (CT) – senior aide to Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04), and former staffer for Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz (CT) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03)

• Mayor of Norwalk Harry Rilling (CT) – former Norwalk police chief

• Wallingford Town Council Candidate Sam Carmody (CT) – senior aide to Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz (CT) and former staffer for Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03)

• St. Petersburg City Council Candidate Lisset Hanewicz (FL) – former federal prosecutor

• Sterling Heights City Councilor Henry Yanez (MI) – retired firefighter

• Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan (MI) – former Wayne County Prosecutor and former Deputy Wayne County Executive * Durham Mayoral Candidate

• Elaine O'Neal (NC) – retired judge

• Jersey City Council Candidate Amy Degise (NJ) – social studies teacher

• Gordon Johnson for State Senate (NJ) – Bergen County, Undersheriff 2002-05, 1999-2001, Sheriff 2001-02

• State Senator Fred Madden (NJ) – Dean, Gloucester County Police Academy

• Albuquerque City Council Louie Sanchez (NM) – retired police officer

• Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Candidate Jim Montagnino (NY) – a 30-year career in the justice system as a prosecutor and court mediator

• Reynoldsburg City Council Stacie Baker (OH) – county employee for years (Treasurer and Recorder’s Offices)

• Cleveland City Council Candidate Charles Slife (OH) – former Cleveland city employee

• Cincinnati City Council Candidate Reggie Harris (OH) – social worker

• Cincinnati City Council Candidate Scotty Johnson (OH) – retired police officer

• Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz (OH) – a former staffer at the Lucas County Mental Health Board

• Ashtabula City Council Jodi Mills (OH) – worked for 37 years as a registered nurse and supervisor and retired as a service support administrator with the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities

• Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong (PA) – 40-year teacher

• Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidate Ed Gainey (PA) – former community development specialist for the City of Pittsburgh

• House of Delegates Member Kelly Fowler (VA) – former educator

• House of Delegates Member Elizabeth Guzman (VA) – social worker

Democrats Serve works to support public service candidates, who often lack access to the built-in fundraising networks of other candidates.

“Here’s the bottom line: candidates with frontline public service backgrounds can connect with independent and persuadable voters uniquely,” said Broesder. “Their up-close and personal experience with the real-life impact of policies and their direct work in strengthening their communities provide compelling campaign narratives. Unfortunately, however, these candidates often lack access to the wealthy donor networks that non-working class candidates have.”

Broesder added: “That's why we've launched Democrats Serve: to help recruit, train, and financially support candidates with frontline public service backgrounds."

Since officially launching a few months ago, the PAC has made endorsements nationwide in competitive elections, including: U.S. Senate Candidates Val Demings (FL) and Cheri Beasley (NC); U.S. House Candidate Aramis Ayala (FL-10); and incumbent House Democrats Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Susan Wild (PA-07), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), and Katie Porter (CA-45); and Gubernatorial Candidate Katie Hobbs (AZ).

Broesder also said that the group is making a concerted effort to recruit diverse candidates with public safety and justice system experience.

“Republicans in Washington are turning their backs on law enforcement by opposing bipartisan investigations into what role politics played in allowing insurrectionists to kill a Capitol Police officer,” said Broesder. “Republicans have made their priorities clear: appeasing right-wing extremists trumps law and order. America deserves better. That’s why electing Democrats, especially those who know first-hand what it means to serve their communities in government, is critical to safeguarding our democracy.

Democrats Serve’s overall national effort consists of recruiting, training, and supporting Democrats with backgrounds serving communities in government — at the federal, state, and local levels — including teachers, police officers, firefighters, first responders, social workers, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, public health nurses, and more.

About Democrats Serve

Democrats Serve is a political action committee (PAC) that supports Democrats running for office – at the federal, state, and local levels – with frontline civil or public service backgrounds. The group does this by recruiting, training, and financially supporting Democrats nationwide with experiences serving communities in government, including police officers, firefighters, first responders, social workers, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, educators, and more.

Posted on September 24, 2021 in Press Releases.