2025 Primary Election

Dermot Smyth has worked for the United Federation of Teachers for 15 years both as a union representative and political strategist. Before joining the UFT, he was a public-school teacher and janitor in Public School District 24. During his interview, Smyth displayed great knowledge of local politics and supported all of CU’s reform agenda. While he ceded that government reform is not one of his top priorities, CU appreciated Smyth’s approach to policy, often using outside experts to better inform his decisions. Citizens Union believes Smyth is well suited to navigate city government, balancing the needs of his district and the city simultaneously. We therefore prefer Smyth in this race.

Paul Pogozelski is a logistics consultant and a former small business owner. Though inexperienced in local government, Pogozelski is heavily involved in his community, serving as the president of his home association and a local roller hockey league and as the chaplain for VFW 551 Post. The love his community displays in return is evident through enthusiasm for his campaign and sets Pogozelski apart from his other competitors. However, Pogozelski opposed several items on the CU’s reform agenda, including even year elections, ranked choice voting, and open primaries. In his interview, he expressed openness to further conversations on these topics. Citizens Union appreciated Pogozelski’s energy, enthusiasm, and his hopeful demeanor. For these reasons, Citizens Union ranks him second in this race.

Phil Wong is the budget director for the district’s incumbent, Council Member Bob Holden, who co-endorsed Wong’s candidacy along with another staffer competing in the Republican primary. Wong staunchly opposes several CU reform agenda items in both his questionnaire and interview, namely ranked choice voting, open primaries, public matching funds, limiting bundling by those with business in front of the City, and even year elections. Citizens Union appreciates Wong’s continued service to his home district.