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End of an Era: Pete Wagner replaced as 19th ward chair
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Pete Wagner, the longtime chair of the 19th Ward Democratic committee, can say this much: He was never defeated by his longtime political nemesis, Anthony Coghill. Instead, Wagner withdrew rather than face a vote by commiteemembers in a reorganization meeting last night.
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Trayvon Martin demonstration hits close to (mayor’s) home
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A sit-down protest ensued, after the group rejected overtures to deliver their demands to mayoral aide Jim Sheppard and Public Safety Director Michael Huss. “We’re not going to give [the demands] to anyone else but him,” Bekezela Mguni, one of the central organizers of Pittsburgh for Trayvon told the crowd. “We’re committed to staying…
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After the Win: DOMA’s demise is a huge victory for the LGBT community, but what does it all mean?
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As one man put it as he sprang around Liberty Avenue sprinkling glitter, June 26 was “a great day to be gay.” Indeed, the Supreme Court of the United States delivered two major victories for LGBT rights. In a 5-4 ruling, it dismissed a case concerning the constitutionality of California’s anti-same-sex-marriage referendum, Proposition 8.…
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District 4 challenger John Lee says he has a winning game plan for election — and the district
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Rudiak’s allies have been expecting Team Ravenstahl to rally behind a challenger … though the possibilities bandied about most frequently — mayoral staffer Jim Sheppard and Mary Motznik, wife of Rudiak’s predecessor — have shown little sign of jumping in. For his part, Lee says he hasn’t spoken to Ravenstahl about his run (though…
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Out in the Open: LGBT issues are playing a role in this election, and the outcome could determine if it ever happens again
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For Steel City Stonewall Democrats, the city’s LGBT political group, this fall has been one of its most active, from door-knocking and volunteering out of Obama’s South Side headquarters to turning out large numbers at a watch party for the first presidential debate. Group president Jim Sheppard attributes that, at least in part, to…
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With mayoral friend seeking to lead it, Gertrude Stein Political Club weighs independence
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The Gertrude Stein Political Club of Pittsburgh prides itself on its independence in endorsing political candidates. But some members worry that legacy could be in jeopardy as it seeks new leadership … and weighs an application from an employee in the Ravenstahl Administration.
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Is a famous name and a father’s legacy enough to lead Corey O’Connor to city council?
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“I refute that outright,” says Jim Sheppard, president of the Stonewall Dems, noting that his organization’s membership voted based on how the candidates answered questionnaires.
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No April Fool’s joke — Coulter coming to Pitt
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But news of Coulter’s appearance has disturbed some. “At first, I was hoping it was an April Fool’s joke,” says James Sheppard, who heads the College Democrats. So far this semester, he says, he and College Republicans “have been working together more than in the past” on charitable events. But “knowing that they would think of her…