Internship Opportunity: Ward Commissioners

“Interested in grassroots politics in the Philadelphia suburbs? Ed Kelly, a 1996 Penn alum is looking for your help. Ed is one of several Democrats in Springfield, Delaware County, just 20 minutes west of Penn, running for Ward Commissioner in November against an entrenched Republican establishment. He is looking to get his name out and hopefully become one of Springfield’s seven Ward Commissioners, who make up the governing body of the town (they’re the final authority: Springfield has no mayor). However small, this is an especially important election because currently all seven Commissioners are Republicans and this is the first time in years that a Democrat has stood a chance to defeat a Republican incumbent. Delaware County’s new Congressman, Joe Sestak, is also from Springfield. A retired navy admiral, he defeated 10-term Republican incumbent Curt Weldon last November, in an election that marked an important political shift in Delaware County. If Ed Kelly wins, he will bring checks and balances to a town that has long been in need of a two-party system.

Springfield is easily accessible from Penn via SEPTA. If you’re interested in helping out by canvassing for this Penn alum and fellow Democrat, contact Thad Kirk, Deputy Political Director, at kirkts@sas.upenn.edu.”