End Endorsements

As a registered Democrat, I believe the Allegheny County Democratic Committee should remove its thumb from the scale during the primaries (“Lamb, Lee receive Pittsburgh Democratic club’s endorsement,” March 29). Having worked on various campaigns prior to moving to Pittsburgh, my first interaction with the local Dem establishment occurred during the 2018 primary season. One aspect I found disturbing was the ACDC endorsement process. Each primary candidate pays a fee (thousands of dollars) to vie for the county party endorsement. The fee is not required but rather “suggested.” I wonder if candidates receive serious consideration if they fail to pay. Furthermore, the candidate receiving the endorsement pays an additional fee to appear on the slate card. It’s a convenient way for the committee to generate revenue but difficult for individual campaigns to part with those necessary funds.

The ACDC’s endorsed candidates benefit immensely by having their names listed on the party slate card, which is then mailed to registered Democrats. The committee claims there are no serious repercussions for candidates who don’t receive the endorsement. However, only the endorsed candidate is permitted to participate in events sponsored by a party committee. An unendorsed candidate cannot participate, for instance, in a “candidate night” hosted by a Democratic committee,-even though he or she is a Democrat. Should the unendorsed candidate not prevail, it’s a challenge for them and their volunteers to rally around the winner after they were all but abandoned by the party itself.

If the ACDC wishes to energize and engage young, local, committed volunteers, it should eliminate this practice. Voters, instead of a handful of party insiders, should wield the most influence in primary elections.

TINA RHOADES

Highland Park