“I want to build a movement with those who have a stake in our future and have the true grit to tackle complex issues,” Alvarez said in a statement.
Alvarez is the director of community engagement at World Healthcare Infrastructures and chairperson of the Philadelphia Police LGBT Liaison Committee, per the Philadelphia Gay News. She is the first openly trans Latinx candidate for the Pa. legislature. If elected, she would be the first transgender person to serve in the state legislature.
Leading up to Alvarez’s formal announcement, Sims sent out a tweet promoting her candidacy.
LET’S MAKE HISTORY! Please join me along with civic, community, and political leaders to support @DejaLynnAlvarez as she announces her candidacy for the seat I’ve had the honor of filling in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for nearly a decade!#DejaforPa pic.twitter.com/UTnGUseSsG
— Brian Sims (@BrianSimsPA) April 28, 2021
Philly Dem Chairman (and former Congressman) Bob Brady, state Sen. Sharif Street, Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark Squilla and Laborers Local 57 Business Manager Esteban Vera are also supporting her candidacy.
Alvarez is the second declared candidate for the seat. Jonathan Lovitz, a prominent LGBTQ advocate who served as the Senior Vice President of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce for the past five years, announced in April.
Philly Clout previously reported on April 23 that other “potential Democratic contenders” include Marisa Shaaban, a lobbyist who challenged Sims in the Democratic Party primary in 2020, and Ben Waxman, a political consultant who challenged Sims in the Democratic Party primary in 2016.
Alvarez highlights her life experience on her campaign website, which includes over a decade in the nonprofit and public health field, while also previously experiencing homelessness.
“My platform for State Representative includes quality of life issues, infrastructure, and economic recovery,” Alvarez writes. “Over the coming months, we will address healthcare reform, homelessness, the state of our roads in Philadelphia, cannabis legalization, action to protect clean drinking water while also lowering our dependence on plastics, and policies that address economic resurgence in the district.”
In 2019, Alvarez launched an unsuccessful bid for a Philadelphia City Council at-large seat, finishing in 10th place in the Democratic Party primary.
Sims was first elected in 2012 by defeating longtime incumbent Rep. Babette Josephs in the Democratic primary for the 182nd House District. Sims fended off primary challenges during the two most recent presidential elections. In 2016, he secured the Democratic Party nomination by garnering 40% of the vote in a four candidate primary. In 2020, he defeated Shaaban by 16 points in the Democratic primary.
While more candidates still may line up for the open state House seat, the current boundaries of HD182 are likely to change due reapportionment (Center City may even add a new House seat).
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19 Responses
Eddie Murphy is inside this character somewhere, right?
Imagine having taken health advice from this person.
And LOL at “Brian Sims having his seat filled.”
“Philly Dem Chairman (and former Congressman) Bob Brady, state Sen. Sharif Street, Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark Squilla” Lolololololololololol please let’s not let these asses determine who should win this seat. They’re all in this for their own reasons – Brady so he doesn’t look like the homophobe that he is, Street so he gets attention for his flop of a Senate race, and Squilla bc he needs to redeem himself from his racist lawsuit against the city re: Colombus Day. God these ppl are so predictable.
LOL Tammy One Note. Explain how the lawsuit is racist – you can’t – you just think certain people should take your abuse indefinitely and when they turn around and fight back you sling stupid shopworn epithets.
Somebody should look at how many donations sims has taken over the years from certain racist bar owners in the gayborhood. He’s their apologist…
Eric Bradway Former Lower Merion Constable is running for Governor of Pennsylvania .
Ok seriously, inquiring minds want to know… Is it really true than Jonathan Lovitz just voted his first election in PA this last cycle? Did he committed a crime by fraudulently voting in nyc the last 4 years? He claims to have lived in Philly 4 years, but only just voted. So which is it? Voter fraud by voting in a state he didn’t live in (NY) or just didn’t care about voting in until he decided to run?
Yes. 10 years on Broadway ain’t nobody got time for exercising their civic duty!! If you look up douchebag in the dictionary there’s an actual pic of Lovitz.
Is it true that she doesn’t really live in the district, but is crashing on Brian’s couch to establish residency? Is this the best we can do?
Is it really true than Jonathan Lovitz just voted his first election in PA this last cycle? Did he committed a crime by fraudulently voting in nyc the last 4 years? He claims to have lived in Philly 4 years, but only just voted. So which is it? Voter fraud by voting in a state he didn’t live in (NY) or just didn’t care about voting in until he decided to run?
Yes. Actually, she’s in his basement. And no this is not the best we can do that’s why this cannot happen. We don’t need another Sims in office – contentious, crass, rude and a waste of space.
In the 2020 lockdown a lot of businesses in Sims’ district struggled and a lot of them closed, and he did absolutely nothing for them. He didn’t even PRETEND to be interested. He still got his paycheck so I guess he didn’t care.
shes a fraud just like sims
Sims is a douche.
Sin comentario.
I agree with gulag Pittsburgh, they all suck
Sims’ endorsement is a good thing?
the city hates him. she’s even worse. neither accomplished anything just want attention. shame
Sims endorsements are entirely based on his petty toddler-level grudges. A person like him has no business in the kind of job he has.