As the Undergraduate Assembly elections came to an end last night, the Penn Democrats took the chance to introduce students to local Democratic House of Representatives and Senate candidates.
This meet-and-greet session was held at the former Palladium space at 36th and Locust Walk and welcomed around 25 members of the Penn Democrats to an informal session to meet some local candidates, ask pertinent questions and learn about ways to join grassroots campaigning efforts.
Earlier this semester, a similar session was held and attracted approximately 35 students, according to Political Outreach Chairman and College sophomore Daniel De Rosa.
As a result of this previous success, Penn Democrats Vice President and College sophomore Jess Smyth said she was "really excited about this event. It's a great connection [for students] between national and local elections and also ties into our school elections."
Two candidates came to speak with students, including Terry Gillen, who is running for state representative in the 182nd District, and Thomas W. Blackwell, who is running for the 190th Legislative District.
Each candidate was given a chance to explain his or her positions and provide students with information regarding his or her campaign.
These speeches were essential to the event, according to Smyth, because "it takes the initial connection [with a candidate] to spark [one's] interest in a campaign."
Penn Democrats Campus Outreach Chairman and Wharton sophomore Jared Katseff also saw the benefit of these speeches.
"I'm glad the campaigns are taking an interest in students on campus," Katseff said.
Gillen, a Penn Law alumna, was the first to speak to the students.
"We are always interested in getting people involved in a campaign, [and] we'd love to pull [Penn students] in," she said.
Gillen worked for the 2000 Al Gore campaign and has been a part of Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell's team for 10 years. Now she is running against a 20-year incumbent, Babette Josephs, who Gillen said "is running out of steam."
As a result, Gillen would like to take over the 182nd District and revive the area by fighting for lower property taxes, creating new job opportunities and ultimately improving the educational system.
"This district needs strong and visible leadership, and I'm the person to do it," Gillen said.
Blackwell took over the floor after Gillen, talking about his campaign for the 190th Legislative District, which includes the area right around Penn's campus.
"As a youngster," Blackwell said, "I had a paper route that ran through [Penn], so right now I'm [at] home."
Having grown up on 45th and Locust streets, Blackwell is a veteran Philadelphian committed to reviving the area.
Blackwell said he wants to "continue the legacy of servicing the people" that was started by his father, former Congressman Lucien Blackwell.
"We want a crime-free neighborhood [and a] drug-free neighborhood," Blackwell said. He continued by saying that it "might be safe here [at Penn], but if you go outside this area, you'll see what I'm talking about." Therefore, "if we don't take care of it out there, it's going to come here."
Ultimately, as the primaries approach their April 27 date, Penn Democrats hope that this event helped encourage more students to become active members in their local political environments.
