In the April 26, 2016 Primary Election for Pennsylvania’s 24th House District, incumbent Ed Gainey will face off against two opponents: William Anderson and Todd Elliott Koger, both of whom have challenged him for the seat in each election. While Gainey and Anderson were available for interview, all attempts to reach Koger were unsuccessful. Following is information gleaned from his political Facebook profile and from vote-pa.org and smartvoter.org, non-partisan websites which permit candidates to submit information about their candidacies.
Todd Elliott Koger resides in Wilkinsburg with his wife and three children. He is a graduate of CCAC with an Associate of Science Degree in Labor Education, attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from California University of Pennsylvania, and attended Duquesne University School of Law.
Koger has previously been employed as a Law Clerk, Planner for Allegheny County and a Science Teacher with the Duquesne City School District.
In addition to his attempts to obtain the Democratic nomination for the 24th in each election since 2006, Koger also ran for Mayor of Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County Executive, County Council District 10 Representative and County Council At-Large Representative as a Democrat in last year’s Primary and as an Independent in the 2015 General Election.
For those ballots, Koger listed his top priorities as gun violence, improved quality of education and economic circumstance for “black boys and girls,” and to offer inspiration to those same children, saying “I want them to look at me and say ‘because of you I didn’t give up.” He also cites “dysfunctional family dynamics,” and the need for government to create specific jobs and economic development programs specifically for African-Americans.
Gainey and Anderson have committed to participate in “The Great Debate” on Thursday, April 21 at the Homewood YMCA, 7140 Bennett Street, beginning at 6:30 pm. The Black Political Empowerment Project and League of Women Voters, who are the main sponsors for the debate, say they have reached out to Koger, and continue to hope he will agree to participate. The debate is open to the public.
By Nancy Hart
Twitter: @nhart543
