Color Of Change PAC Endorses Matt Dugan for District Attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

PENNSYLVANIA — Color Of Change PAC, one of the largest national Black-led political action committees, endorses Chief Public Defender Matthew Dugan for Allegheny District Attorney. Matt Dugan is a public defender we trust to tackle the root causes of crime and address racial disparities at the height of calls for public safety reform.

“Pennsylvania’s state judicial system at-large has caused immense harm to Black communities,” said Sakira Cook, Vice President, Color Of Change PAC.  “Residents need a District Attorney who will be a tireless advocate for policies that will reform public safety as we know it, by ending policies like cash bail that drive mass incarceration. That is why Color Of Change PAC is proud to endorse Matt Dugan as Allegheny District Attorney. Dugan has over 16 years of experience as a public defender, illustrating his commitment to progress. We are confident he will promote progressive policies and values such as not charging children as adults or increasing transparency in police departments.” 

Allegheny deserves refreshed, fair policies to reform public safety, policies that end unnecessary arrests and hold police accountable for their brutality. This would be a turning point for Black and Brown communities after a 25 year bid with the current District Attorney, Steven A. Zappala. 

Color Of Change PAC is supporting Matt Dugan because we support his pledges to: 

• Prioritize offenses that pose an actual threat to public health and safety. 
• Divert people in need of mental health services or substance use treatment out of our criminal legal system. 
• Advocate against the use of cash bail, which unfairly and disproportionately punishes people who cannot afford to pay. 
• Hold police and public officials accountable for misconduct against communities they serve and create a unit focused on freeing innocent people who were wrongfully convicted. 

Since its founding in 2016, Color Of Change PAC has mobilized millions of Black voters across the country, endorsing candidates who offer plans to deliver real change for Black communities. As one of the first-ever political organizing groups to figure out how to reach and engage Black voters and its members online, Color Of Change PAC has ramped up its digital tactics, and will host a variety of virtual events like Black Joy Socials, text and phone banking, virtual squad meetings and town halls in response to the limitations COVID-19 has put on in-person advocacy and voter engagement. The organization also plans to send direct mail, launch GOTV email and SMS broadcasts, and deploy digital ads to reach and mobilize voters in support of Dugan. 

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About Color Of Change PAC

Color Of Change PAC is a Political Action Committee focused on building independent Black political power, amplifying Black voices, electing candidates who share our values, and holding them accountable to our communities. For more information on Color Of Change PAC, visit votingwhileblack.com