John,
My name is Nicolas O’Rourke and I’m the Working Families Party of Pennsylvania Organizing Director and a pastor at Living Water United Church of Christ. I’m running for the Philadelphia City Council on the Working Families Party line.
Before I share more about myself and why I’m running, I need to ask: Will you split a contribution between my campaign and WFP today? Your support helps elect people like me, who are ready to fight tooth and nail for working people.
I’m not a wealthy man. I’m not part of high-operating political machines, nor am I connected to the ‘right’ people to run for council. I grew up in a working, union-supported family. And that’s why I’m running — to fight for a world where families like mine can thrive.
I am looking to live what I believe and build a just Philadelphia that works for the many, not the few. Our plans will house Philadelphians displaced due to gentrification, protect labor unions, prioritize solutions to the climate crisis and fund intervention programs to protect our streets from gun violence.
No more business as usual. We don’t have to accept unaffordable housing, gun violence, and the pain that comes with living paycheck to paycheck. We deserve a city that inspires us to dream.
But my race goes beyond Philadelphia, John.
For too long, the two major parties that dominate our politics have pushed aside the everyday issues of working people in order to line their own pockets. We need a party — and elected officials — who are willing to push back against special interests, corporate lobbyists, and mega donors.
The Working Families Party is that party. I want WFP to be the political home for those in America — and, of course, in Philadelphia — that want their local and federal government to fight for the many, not the privileged few.
When I ran for City Council alongside now-City Councilmember Kendra Brooks back in 2019, we broke records for third-party candidates. Not because we had shady super PACs throwing millions behind us; but because our message resonated with the people of Philadelphia. When Councilmember Brooks was elected, she became the first third-party candidate to win a seat on the Council in generations — and it broke a streak of nearly 100 years of Republicans holding that seat.
Now, I’m running for Philadelphia City Council again so I can flip the last remaining Republican-held seat on the City Council to the Working Families Party, and join Councilmember Brooks in moving the Council to the left.
Which is why I’m asking: Can you split a $4 donation today between my campaign and WFP to invest in the party and leaders who will always fight for you and other working people?
Donate $4 »
With your help, I know we can reach new voters who believe in our message, push back against the two-party system, and grow this movement in Philadelphia and beyond.
Thank you for your support.
— Reverend Nicolas O’Rourke
Organizing Director
Pennsylvania Working Families Party
