Voters deserve transparency — not deception — from Pennridge candidates
Once again, Pennridge voters are being asked to look past a familiar political disguise. The Democratic slate of candidates for Pennridge School Board has chosen not to identify themselves as Democrats, but instead as members of the so-called Pennridge Community Alliance (PCA) — a name that sounds civic-minded and nonpartisan but hides their true affiliation.
From their campaign website to door-to-door canvassing, these candidates seem determined to obscure their connection to the Democratic Party. Why hide who you are? Voters have a right to transparency. And if candidates aren’t honest about their political identity before Election Day, how transparent will they be once in office?
This lack of honesty is already showing up in their campaign tactics. The Democrat PCA slate recently attacked the Republican candidates for accepting an endorsement from the 1776 Project PAC. This is a group whose mission aligns with what Pennridge parents have been saying for years: a return to academic excellence, respect for parental rights, and full transparency in our schools. We are proud to share those priorities and are grateful for their endorsement.
Meanwhile, the Democrat PCA slate conveniently and hypocritically ignores their own endorsements and donors. Two years ago, they accepted funding from Agenda PAC, a national LGBTQ+ political organization that openly declares its intent to “target winnable electoral races, deploy aggressive campaigns, and mobilize activists to take action.” Its website boasts, “We don’t just promote LGBTQ+ equality — we wage war.”
That’s not “community.” That’s political warfare.
Parents across Pennridge have made themselves clear: They want classrooms focused on academics, not activism; on learning, not ideology. Yet the Democrat PCA candidates are backed by national organizations waging a cultural war in our schools. Their record and rhetoric show where their priorities lie — more politics in classrooms, more outside influence in our community, and more smears against parents who simply want a say in their children’s education.
Each voter needs to identify which candidates are committed to academic excellence, parental inclusion, fiscal responsibility, and education — not activism. Transparency and accountability are not campaign slogans, but governing principles.
This November’s election will determine whether Pennridge schools continue down a path of politics and activism — or return to a focus on academic excellence and parental partnership. Voters should look closely at who is funding these campaigns and what values each group represents. Every parent deserves transparency from those seeking to lead our schools — and honesty about who they really are.
Jonathan Russell is a Hilltown resident and a Republican candidate for Pennridge School Board.
