Rich Sanders

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Rich Sanders

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Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 20, 2025

Education

High school

Reading Senior High School

Other

University of Phoenix, 2007

Personal

Birthplace

Pottsville, Pa.

Religion

African Methodist Episcopal Church

Profession

Operations Manager

Contact

Campaign Facebook

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Rich Sanders (Democratic Party) ran for election for an at-large seat of the Harrisburg City Council in Pennsylvania. He lost in the Democratic primary on May 20, 2025.

Sanders completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Rich Sanders was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He earned a high school diploma from Reading Senior High School and graduated from the University of Phoenix in 2007. His career experience includes working as an operations manager. Sanders has been affiliated with Sons of the American Legion Paxton Masonic Lodge #16 and Montgomery Elks Lodge #1271 Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (2025)

General election

General election for Harrisburg City Council (4 seats)

Incumbent Ausha Green, incumbent Jocelyn Rawls, incumbent Ralph Rodriguez, and Robert Lawson are running in the general election for Harrisburg City Council on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Ausha Green (D)
	Submit photo	Jocelyn Rawls (D)
	Submit photo	Ralph Rodriguez (D)
	Submit photo	Robert Lawson (D)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Harrisburg City Council (4 seats)

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Harrisburg City Council on May 20, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Jocelyn Rawls	14.4	2,214
✔	Submit photo	Robert Lawson	13.1	2,013
✔	Submit photo	Ausha Green	12.3	1,886
✔	Submit photo	Ralph Rodriguez	12.1	1,862
	Submit photo	Elyse Irvis	9.1	1,401
		Basir Vincent	8.3	1,276
	Submit photo	Willie Ross	6.1	937
	Submit photo	Sharon Horne	5.9	902
	Submit photo	Karl Singleton	5.7	882
		Lisa Glenn	5.1	785
		Lori Saulisbury	4.4	675
	Submit photo	Rich Sanders	3.1	478
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	67

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 15,378
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Leslie Franklin (D)

Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Rich Sanders completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sanders' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a 1988 Reading Sr. High School graduate. I moved to the capital city of Harrisburg in 2002. Since that time, I have become very active within the community doing multiple different charitable works. I am a long standing member of the Sons of the American Legion (45 yrs), held office such as District Commander and am now a Past Detachment Central Section Vice Commander. In addition, I am also a long standing member of Montgomery Elks Lodge #1271 IBPOEW (32 yrs) and also a good standing member of Paxton #16 Masonic Lodge. By being a long time resident of the city, I know there are many things that could happen for the betterment of the city that include, safer and cleaner streets. More productive programs/activities for our youth to keep them occupied and out of the streets. Programs to better engage our Senior population. Programs that will teach English as well as Spanish, etc to improve our overall communications throughout our city. As I was out meeting people during the petition process, many of my neighbors and city residents expressed a major concern for an overall change in leadership. They, just as myself are tired of making calls and nothing gets resolved, tired of speaking to politicians when they come knocking on the doors and nothing gets done, etc. I intend on being the attentive ear who will listen to all of my fellow neighbors' concerns and be that loud voice to bring these issues to the forefront. I am a man of action, let me show you.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Safer and Cleaner streets : We want to make this Capital City a beacon to draw attention to those to come visit our great city. Also being able to provide the safety awareness to make our visitors and residents feel more comfortable when traveling, walking, etc and taking in the city's beauty and accomplishments.
• Providing more activities and programs for our Youth to keep them out of the streets and provide them with avenues to keep themselves occupied and engaged with becoming our future leaders, etc. Programs that can possible teach them careers, or to keep them more engaged in the sport of their liking. In addition to Youth programs, we need to also come up with activities for our Senior communities as well
• Proven Leadership: From serving in high offices in the different organizations that I belong to, it is imperative to bring forth Leadership, and the importance of Team work to the City Council / Mayor's office. We need to be able to come up with Common Sense ideas and Solutions that will improve the Quality of Life for all Harrisburg City residents.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Being able to welcome visitors to our city and also being a resident, we all should be able to know that when we walk the streets of Harrisburg, we are completely protected. More better trained police, more cameras to deter criminal activity, and swift justice brought forth to those who violate our city's sanctity. Safe and Cleaner streets will always be a top priority and should remain as one for future administrations.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Proven Leadership in a few non-profit organizations, a Leader in the workforce for over 20 years.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I have many people that I look up to that made crucial change throughout history, they all combined have made me change the direction of my life many times. Taking this first step into being active into politics is just another step that I've be encouraged to do.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Tyler Perry;s Movie - The Six Triple Eight / a movie of determination, and the heart to make a difference no matter what obstacles were thrown at them.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

-Being able to not only listen to issues but act upon those issues.

-Be a person of your word, always be honest no matter what. If there is something that you cannot assist on, then at least give the residents some sort of feedback explaining truthfully why or why not something cannot take place at the specific time.
-Show true Leadership and Team work

-Make yourself seen out in the city, not just for photo ops, but in your everyday life. Let people understand that you are just like them, you shop at similar stores etc,

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Proven Leadership - an Attentive Ear to listen - a Faithful Heart to give my all to do the best for those who put their trust in me - Bringing common sense ideas and solutions by speaking on the issues that I as a resident have grown tired of seeing nothing being done.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To be open and honest at all times, have an open line of communication for the residents, always act or make judgements for the betterment of the city and its residents, not only cater to big developers, etc.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would want people to remember me as a person who tried his best to bring forth positive change to improve the Quality of Life for all Harrisburg residents.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was issued a Certificate of Perfect Achievement from President Jimmy Carter when I was 8 years old. I've lived through many wars involving the United States. I met one of Malcolm X's daughters at a speaking engagement when I was 19 years old. I've witnessed our nation's first Black President. Plus many more...

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked at the Acme Markets throughout my high school years approx 2 years

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Holy Bible and The Holy Quran - always seeking knowledge to have a better understanding amongst different cultures to form a bridge amongst our very diverse community.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

The Black Panther

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

I enjoy old school R & B music

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Many things, but I am a survivor and I have a strong work ethic that has helped me overcome our everyday struggles.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

None that I am aware of at the moment, but if there are, I will be sure to let it be known to what capacity I am able to facilitate actions or change!

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, as long as a person is genuine, and has their heart intended to make a positive difference, they can learn as they go along. Many elected officials nowadays, including the president and his cabinet never were politicians, etc.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Attention to details, being able to keep personal ideologies away from decision making, be open minded and listen carefully, then make the best overall decision as a body that will benefit the City and its residents combined.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

All of this body's decisions affect all residents directly. This is something that I feel has fell through the cracks and the many lapses of good judgement at the current time.

Tell us your favorite joke.

too many jokes to choose from, but I am a fan of Kevin Hart, Mike Epps, Richard Pryor, Bernie Mac and many others here or gone.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The residents of Harrisburg

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

The city should be extremely transparent and let everyone know exactly how each dollar is being allocated and spent.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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