Philadelphia – In the 10 weeks leading up to the primary election, Working America field canvassers held 72,000 face-to-face conversations with likely voters in support of Jim Kenney. Run as an independent expenditure by Working America, the 3-million-member community affiliate of the AFL-CIO, the door-to-door effort reached more than 42,000 African-American voters, 21,000 white voters, and 3,500 Hispanic voters.
Through its well-trained and professional ground team, Working America engaged likely Philadelphia voters in neighborhoods across the city—from Northeast Philadelphia to Cobbs Creek, from Germantown to Frankford—and knocked on 215,500 doors.
Running the largest field canvass in the hotly contested mayoral race, Working America aided Kenney’s win, especially in the 33 wards that he did not carry in his last at-large City Council campaign, the 2011 Democratic primary. In Anthony Williams’ senate district, canvassers talked with more than 11,000 voters and won a critical share of the vote from Williams' core constituency.
“Talking with voters one-on-one remains the most effective way to cut through the noise of campaigns and educate voters to win elections,” said Matt Morrison, political director for Working America (@WorkingAmerica).
Although Kenney and his supporters were outspent by his opponents, direct door-to-door contact between our independent voice and 1 in 4 voters led to significant support for Jim Kenney. During their on-the-door engagement, Working America canvassers shared important information with voters about Kenney’s support for quality public schools, which 35 percent identified as their top concern. Voters also voiced the desire for good jobs (12 percent) and public safety (21 percent).
The win by Jim Kenney is part of a trend seen in other cities, such as Boston, where everyday Americans are casting their ballots for candidates who reject crony capitalism and efforts by rich corporations and hedge fund managers to erode public services and undermine good jobs.
CONTACT: Krissi Jimroglou, [email protected], 202-246-2670
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Working America, the community affiliate of the AFL-CIO, has more than 440,000 members in Pennsylvania and 3 million nationwide who fight for good jobs and a just economy. Working America is a 501(c)(5) labor organization.