Lancaster, PA — At its Monday, November 9th meeting the Lancaster City Democratic Committee elected Tene Darby as Chairperson and Ricardo Almodovar as Vice-Chairperson.

Darby takes the helm from Diane Topakian, who is retiring from the position after five years leading the Lancaster City Democrats. Almodovar takes the place of Miguel Tirado who is retiring from his role of Vice-Chairperson.

Darby and Almodovar will take on their new roles on January 1, 2021.

Tene Darby
Tene Darby is a lifetime resident of Southeast Lancaster City where she lives with her husband. The mother of two and grandmother of one developed a passion for community service and advocacy as she became more cognizant of various issues affecting those in her neighborhood and beyond. As a solutions-oriented person, she became increasingly involved in advocacy and volunteerism in her quest for viable solutions.

Tene’s efforts have helped to drive changes such as a revised Residential Parking Permit ordinance in Lancaster City and raising awareness of causes that impact her neighbors in the Southeast area who have historically been disenfranchised.

Darby is the first Black and Latina to hold the position of Chair of the Lancaster City Democratic Committee. She is honored to serve and is optimistic about what the future holds for her beloved city.

Ricardo Almodovar
Ricardo was born and raised in Lancaster, PA. He graduated from J.P. McCaskey High School , going on to earn his Associates degree Harrisburg Area Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree from Millersville University.

After college, Ricardo worked as a Community Organizer at Make the Road PA (MRPA), a non-profit organization that builds power for justice in the Latinx and immigrant community After relocating back to Lancaster he continued his organizing work at CASA PA, a non-profit organization that builds power for justice in working class, Latinx and immigrant communities.

Almodovar recently completed a Digital Organizing Fellowship with the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and has worked to increase support, collaboration, and overall voter engagement in Lancaster and across the Keystone State. He is currently an organizing associate for We The People - Pennsylvania, a campaign of the PA Budget and Policy Center. He also serves as a Board Member with the Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition and was appointed to the PA’s Advisory Commission on LGBTQ+ Affairs.

About the Lancaster City Democrats
The Lancaster City Democrats work to build a strong Democratic community, to recruit and elect strong Democratic candidates, and to advance the principles of the Democratic Party within the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

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