For us, a loss is not the same as defeat. My team and I began this race as novices with no support and no votes. We ended the campaign with numerous endorsements and more than 7,800 votes. We pushed the incumbent to reach out to her constituents and she earned the victory. Hopefully, the increased attention to the district will carry on throughout the next term. Representative Youngblood and her supporters deserve congratulations.
But, we are not going anywhere!
Expect to hear from us again in the near future. We still need you because there’s still work to do.
We are holding our heads high due to support and encouragement from you.
Thank you so much for investing your time, effort and money in my campaign in order to “make a change to make a difference!”
After calls from concerned district residents were made to Davis headquarters today, Team Davis members went to the scene of clear anti-Davis vandalism at Stenton Park. According to two different accounts from residents, 2 to 3 Davis for State Rep lawn signs were ripped up and replaced with a lawn sign for the incumbent.
One eyewitness who came upon the destroyed Davis signs with her 7-year old grandson was so outraged, she called the Police Commissioner’s office before calling Davis headquarters. She told us that she had been talking to her grandson, William Alex Bradley (a big Obama fan), about politics and how fun it is. Then, after they saw the ripped Davis signs, young William said, “Why, Granny, would they do this?”
The images below show what William and his grandmother saw yesterday evening: torn up Davis signs on the sidewalk and street, plain as day.
It is clear the vandals lacked the foresight to remove the evidence of their crime (which Team Davis has already reported to The Committee of Seventy).
These profoundly anti-democratic acts are deplorable. And Byron Davis pledges to continue campaigning in the same way he seeks to serve the 198th district as its next state representative: with integrity and a commitment to transparency and accountability.
Davis has reiterated to his entire team (and will emphasize in no uncertain terms to all prospective volunteers on election day) to act ethically and respectfully. To borrow a common Obama refrain, “We can disagree without being disagreeable.”
It is clear that this race has become increasingly heated in recent weeks. However, this election is not about who is a good or bad person; it’s about who is the best candidate to represent the people of the 198th district.
And if you like the spirit of Byron Davis’ campaign, this is what you can expect when he is in office.
No more dirty tricks.
Everyone these days is embracing change. But there’s change, and then there’s making a change to make a difference.
Friends of Byron Davis is proud to report that the Philadelphia Daily Newsendorses Byron:
198th: Byron Davis has credentials few in the House can claim: He’s a teacher (Germantown Friends School). He’s also active in several civic groups and has progressive ideas that we believe will resonate with constituents of the 198th.
Economically and geographically diverse districts such as the 198th can be a challenge to represent. Too often, state legislators from Philadelphia believe they just have to send money to constituents to keep them happy.
Rep. Rosita Youngblood has represented the district for 14 years, but has focused much of her attention on Harrisburg and legislation about problems that arguably other agencies could address. We endorse Byron Davis. Given the primacy of education, we think sending a teacher to Harrisburg is a good idea.
Team Davis is thrilled to receive this latest endorsement. But we know that endorsements don’t win elections, voters do! So, we welcome you with only a few days before Election Day to volunteer (215-667-8366) or contribute to this surging campaign to “make a change to make a difference!”
Today, Team Davis embarks on a multi-car motorcade to spread the word about Byron Davis for state rep (and Barack Obama for president) in parts of the lower district, including Wister, Nicetown, Logan and Olney.
Click on the video below to see two young Team Davis volunteers do to get “fired up and ready to go” to the beat of the unofficial Davis theme song produced by Joshua Murphy, featuring 4-year old Diallo Rabb aka “MC Free D” (and outro by 2-year old Issa Rabb aka “MC Issa G”).
• Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) of Philadelphia
Please consider personally “endorsing” Davis by printing out and prominently displaying a Davis For State Rep window sign today! Or to request a free delivery of a poster-size window sign or lawn sign, please call us at (215) 667-8366.
After downloading, printing and prominently displaying the window sign below, kindly call or e-mail us letting us know your street address so that we can track the placement of all of our signs across the entire district!
