Pennsylvania Democratic Black Caucus • Ballot Position #1
Michael Keys
A Historic Trailblazer. A Proven Leader.
The first Black individual elected to Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee. He made history once. Now he is asking you to keep it going.
Your Ballot. Your Power. Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee
Vote Michael Keys — #1
PA Democratic State Committee • Northwest Pennsylvania
Who Is Michael Keys
He Did Not Just Break a Barrier. He Built a Foundation.
Michael Keys has spent his career at the intersection of political organizing, public service, and community advocacy. As a former Erie City Council Member, a 2020 DNC Delegate, the Northwest Area Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Black Caucus, and the first Black person ever elected to Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee, Michael has earned every seat he holds. He is not running to prove a point. He is running to protect the progress and push it further. Northwest Pennsylvania needs his voice at the state level. The Black community across Pennsylvania needs his leadership in the room where it counts.
PA State Committee
Northwest Region
Erie City Council
Adopted Statewide
His Qualifications
A Record That Speaks Before He Does.
His Region
15 Counties. One Leader.
Michael Keys leads the Northwest Area of the PA Democratic Black Caucus across all of these counties. This is not symbolic. This is active organizing territory.
Why It Matters
Five Reasons to Vote Michael Keys at Position #1
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01
He Made History and He Is Not Done Becoming the first Black person elected to Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee was a milestone for every Black Democrat in this Commonwealth. Returning him to that seat is how you protect and build on that progress. History made once can be history lost if the community does not hold the line.
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02
He Passed Policy That Reached the Whole State The DEI resolution Michael authored was adopted by the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee in 2025. This is not a campaign promise. It is a delivered result. He knows how to turn advocacy into official party policy.
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03
He Represents Territory Most Democrats Ignore Northwest Pennsylvania is not a place many state party leaders spend time. Michael Keys built his entire career there. He knows Armstrong County. He knows Clarion. He knows Warren and Venango. That regional knowledge is irreplaceable at the State Committee level.
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04
He Develops the Leaders Who Come After Him Michael does not just hold positions. He mentors County Directors, identifies candidates for state and federal office, and builds leadership pipelines. The next generation of Black political leadership in Northwest Pennsylvania runs through his work.
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05
He Is Position #1 for a Reason Ballot position #1 signals what the community prioritizes first. Michael Keys should be the first name every Democratic State Committee voter in his region looks for and marks. First on the ballot. First in proven leadership. First in Black political representation for Northwest Pennsylvania.
Service Record
Every Position. Every Level. Every Year.
From Erie City Hall to the Democratic National Convention to the Pennsylvania State Committee. Michael Keys has served at every level.
Key Accomplishments
What Michael Keys Has Delivered
Not promises. Outcomes.
Historic State Committee Election
Became the first Black individual elected to the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee, opening a door that had never been opened before and establishing a precedent for Black political representation at the highest level of Democratic Party governance in Pennsylvania.
Statewide DEI Resolution
Authored a landmark Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion resolution that was adopted by the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee in 2025. This is tangible, documented policy impact at the state party level.
15-County Organizing Network
Built and leads a multi-county organizing network across the full Northwest Pennsylvania region, including areas with little prior Black Caucus infrastructure, creating connectivity between communities that were previously operating in isolation from the state party.
Erie City Council Equity Leadership
During four years on Erie City Council, consistently championed policies that expanded opportunity for underserved residents and built lasting coalitions between community organizations, advocacy groups, and elected government.
MLK Day Civic Programming
Organized and oversees annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day programming across the Northwest region as part of the Caucus's civic engagement calendar, connecting political organizing with community celebration and collective memory.
Candidate Pipeline Development
Actively identifies and mentors emerging leaders for public office at the state and federal level across Northwest Pennsylvania, investing in a generation of Black political leadership that will carry the work forward long after any single election.
Northwest Pennsylvania. Vote #1. Vote Keys.
Michael Keys made history when he became the first Black person elected to Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee. Returning him to that seat is how the community holds its ground, protects its progress, and keeps pushing forward. Mark him first. Vote Michael Keys, Position #1.
Vote Michael Keys — Position #1Pennsylvania Democratic Black Caucus • Northwest Area • Erie, Pennsylvania