Riverwards Area Democrats was born out of the results of the 2016 Presidential Election, when a wave of progressives were galvanized to take grassroots action to protect our rights and democracy. RAD started as a small group of friends, colleagues, and neighbors in Fishtown and Kensington, and grew organically as people learned about ways they could channel their political frustrations into creating real change at the local level. The early efforts of the group centered around encouraging individuals to run for election board and committeeperson positions. RAD hosted events which gave participants a direct line of communication with candidates and elected officials. Monthly meetups provided a space to talk strategy and created an equally important sense of community around this work.
In 2021, the group formalized, electing a board and adopting bylaws, in an effort to sustain and grow the grassroots community-building work across wards 5, 18, 31, and 25. Since 2021 the group has continued to hold monthly meetings to create connections and inform our neighbors, coordinating with other progressive groups on candidate forums and GOTV strategy, and adopted a process for candidate endorsements first implemented in the 2022 primary election. RAD continues to grow and build local progressive political power across the river wards.
2024 Executive Board:
- Kate Rivera, President
- Molly Hartman, Vice President
- Thomas Hillhouse, Treasurer
- Erin Agnew, Secretary
- Rotimi Adeoye, Director
- Ryan Alsayegh, Director
- Omeed Firouzi, Director
- Lauren Rinaldi, Director
