Tony Dastra Announces Intent to Multi-File for City Races
Some people will view this as some sort of concession.
It is anything but a concession. I’m just turning up the heat.
When I was 18 and at Temple University, I was given life-changing news: my great-grandmother had been diagnosed with lymphoma. It didn’t take me long to decide—I dropped out of college. She wasn’t happy about it, but I knew I could go back to school. I couldn’t regain the time I would have lost with her.
At Lancaster Pride, someone—who should honestly be a Green Party member—asked me where I get the drive. Where all of this comes from. Writing this now, I think this is the real answer. I’ve always understood the value of time. And I’ve never let my age hold me back, because I have no guarantee of tomorrow. None of us do.
Grin, as my family called her—or Billie, as many in the community knew her—was one of the most influential people in my life. Every concert, every competition, every everything… Grin was there. She was my most ardent advocate. And when it came time to pass things on, she didn’t leave her earthly possessions to the generations before me. She gave her great-grandchildren the chance to survive in this economy. She gave us property. Stability. A fighting chance to thrive in this nation of growing economic disparity.
Before she passed, I had already started attending City Council meetings. I remember telling her I was going to run for Council.
But I never did that.
After the 2016 election, I was angry—furious at the failures of our political system from the very top, to the very bottom. So I aimed higher. I ran for Mayor. I was on a mission. I had big ideas and I was gonna bring them to you live from City Hall. I had things to say, and I knew other people did, too.
But that unfulfilled promise to her still sits with me.
City Council matters. But I saw a system so flawed, so deeply broken, that I refused to be gentle with it. I wanted to break it down and rebuild it from the ground up—just like my great-grandfather could do with any machine—starting with civic participation and radical government transparency.
And I still have things to say. Maybe more than ever before. I still have big ideas—so big that they exist beyond the comprehension of establishment politics. I only mention some, like a municipal stable coin, as little blips because I want you to know I have some things on my radar. Like the cost of card transactions that, not only get passed off onto our residents and businesses, but the complacency from elected leaders on these “minor” issues that let money escape our local economy.
I’m not blind to the need to flesh out ideas more and determine cost of implementation, but those 3% credit card fees add up for small businesses. I know that’s capture available right there that we can keep from the tech and financial giants; money that the establishment is more than happy to let slide. Those few dollars and cents tacked onto paying our utility bills online add up, especially for working families. I see you, because I am you. We are the working class.
Grin, I’m going to make good on the promise I made to you, but with a Tony Twist.
I’m running for City Council this year, in conjunction with my run for Mayor.
Not because council is my end goal, but because I told you I would run for council.
To be clear, under the City of Lancaster’s Home Rule Charter, I’m fully permitted to appear on the ballot for both Mayor and City Council; voters may vote for me for both positions. While it would not be legal to serve in both offices at the same time, there is no prohibition on running for both. A victory in both races would trigger a vacancy—an opportunity to open the door to another independent, progressive voice to step in. The Peoples’ Administration requires a Peoples’ Council.
Outside of this statement, I don’t plan to market my Council run, except on those debate stages I’ll have access to. I just want the public to know—I’m taking on the entire City Democratic Party Establishment. By running for both Mayor and Council, I’m ensuring our ideas get heard in both races, LOUDLY. I’m making room for more voices and a wider vision. We don’t need more consensus-building around mediocrity—we need momentum for change.
I was deeply disappointed by the lack of knowledge—and the timidness—of Council candidates at the Bethel AME forum when rent control came up. I’m ashamed that I live in a City where two sitting members of an all-Democratic City Council claim to support a police review board, and yet… there’s still no motion. Still no second. Seemingly no conversation once we all leave the room and primary voting tables. They just say enough to placate us. That’s poor leadership, and how we end up in these messes.
I guess it’s party before people for the Democratic Establishment. They have yet to show us why it isn’t. It’s a vicious and painful cycle that we need to break, now.
Not next time. Now. We demand change, now.
My great-grandmother once received the Key to the City from Mayor Art Morris. So maybe she didn’t just leave me property. Maybe she left me something more.
I have inherited the Key to the City.
And I intend to unlock the doors of this government to everyone.
I don’t need luck. I need you voting Double Dastra on November 4th, 2025.
Add Election Day to your calendar and make sure you’re registered to vote; the deadline is October 20th.
Use this link to register or update your information online: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx
Together we can,
Tony Dastra
