Once upon a time, there was a state representative in NW Philadelphia. She wasn't really a member of any political camp (Fattah, Evans, Fumo) and maybe she thought she needed the patronage of someone to stay in office, so she chose John Perzel. And so she voted with Republicans all the time.

I am talking of course about Rep. Rosita Youngblood. She represents one of the most progressive districts in the city, and yet has been not only a disappointment in office, but also a defector to our cause. Just as there as been a laser focus on the person who represents the 182nd in Center City, Rep. Josephs' seat, there should equally be the expectation that the person who represents parts of North Philly, Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, is a progressive leader.

Marc Stier tried and came very close in 2004. Four others tried in 2006. Finally, now in 2008, with Perzel in a far less powerful position, there's only one candidate running against Youngblood, and he has a real shot at winning. His name is Byron Davis.

Byron Davis has been endorsed by:

-9th Ward Democratic Committee
-UNITE-HERE!
-AFSCME District Council 47
-SEIU PA State Council
-Planned Parenthood of SE Pennsylvania
-Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) of Philadelphia
-Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club
-The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local Union #332
-Americans for Democratic Action (ADA)
-Philly for Change

That's an impressive list of endorsements. This is the one race where there seems to be real progressive cohesion around a challenger, and an uncomplicated campaign (no write-in opponent for instance) that can be won on the ground.

According to his website, Byron is "a resident of Germantown, Byron Davis is an educator, activist, husband and father." And also from his website, here is Byron's basic platform:

3 Keys: Byron Davis believes the people of the 198th deserve a range of opportunities that have not been created by the incumbent towards improving their quality of life.

The keys to this are . . .

Service

Elected officials must live up to their positions as public servants

* Those holding elective office must truly serve the public interest

* Their service must be consistent and of high quality

* They should communicate and bring together the district’s diverse stakeholders

Responsibility

As a husband, father, teacher and community organizer, Byron is not afraid to take on difficult issues or to be held accountable for achieving results. He believes:

* True reform cannot happen unless leaders’ results are measured and compared to what they promised

* “Politics as usual” flourishes when constituents cannot see what their representatives are doing — or with, and for whom, they are doing it

* “Sunlight is the best antiseptic”

Opportunity

Byron believes the people of the 198th deserve dramatic improvements in opportunities, including:

* Increased crime prevention in our streets and schools

* Improvements in the quality of educational and job opportunities

* Business and civic development that enriches all communities for the long haul

Byron Davis deserves your money and your time. If you'd like to donate to his campaign, click here and if you'd like to join Liberty City for a lit drop in Mt. Airy on Monday evening at 6:45 PM, email me. Rides will be provided from Center City.

And if you live in the district, Byron deserves your vote.