Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 4:34AM |  11°
MENU
Advertisement
1
MORE

End endorsements

Getty Images/iStockphoto

End endorsements

As a registered Democrat, I believe the Allegheny County Democratic Committee should remove its thumb from the scale during the primaries (“Lamb, Lee receive Pittsburgh Democratic club’s endorsement,” March 29). Having worked on various campaigns prior to moving to Pittsburgh, my first interaction with the local Dem establishment occurred during the 2018 primary season. One aspect I found disturbing was the ACDC endorsement process. Each primary candidate pays a fee (thousands of dollars) to vie for the county party endorsement. The fee is not required but rather “suggested.” I wonder if candidates receive serious consideration if they fail to pay. Furthermore, the candidate receiving the endorsement pays an additional fee to appear on the slate card. It’s a convenient way for the committee to generate revenue but difficult for individual campaigns to part with those necessary funds.

The ACDC’s endorsed candidates benefit immensely by having their names listed on the party slate card, which is then mailed to registered Democrats. The committee claims there are no serious repercussions for candidates who don’t receive the endorsement. However, only the endorsed candidate is permitted to participate in events sponsored by a party committee. An unendorsed candidate cannot participate, for instance, in a “candidate night” hosted by a Democratic committee,-even though he or she is a Democrat. Should the unendorsed candidate not prevail, it’s a challenge for them and their volunteers to rally around the winner after they were all but abandoned by the party itself.

If the ACDC wishes to energize and engage young, local, committed volunteers, it should eliminate this practice. Voters, instead of a handful of party insiders, should wield the most influence in primary elections.

Advertisement

Tina Rhoades
Highland Park

First Published: April 10, 2022, 4:00 a.m.

Advertisement
RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (11)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Traffic passes by U.S. Steel in Braddock on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. An activist investor has accused U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt of potential insider trading as the group pressures investors to support its own plan for the iconic Pittsburgh steelmaker, which includes a new board and abandoning a planned merger with Japan’s Nippon Steel.
1
business
Ancora launches ‘Make U.S. Steel Great Again’ campaign, accuses CEO of insider trading
President Donald Trump listens as Elon Musk speaks in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)
2
news
McCormick on board with Trump, DOGE shakeup while Fetterman blasts 'chaos, confusion'
Pitt’s Jalend Lowe (15) shoots a 3-pointer against Syracuse at the NCAA men’s basketball game on Tuesday Feb. 18, 2025 at Petersen Event Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.
3
sports
Instant analysis: Opportunistic Pitt defense flips another first half deficit into win over Syracuse
Head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith watch a receivers and defensive backs drill at Steelers Minicamp at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex Thursday, June 13, 2024.
4
sports
Gerry Dulac: Next season’s major decisions loom this week for Mike Tomlin, Steelers staff
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland.
5
sports
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat transcript: 02.18.25
 (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Advertisement
LATEST opinion
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story