Kofi Osei Launches Campaign for Pennsylvania Senate Seat in 2024

Kofi Osei, a township supervisor and community advocate, has officially announced his candidacy for the Pennsylvania Senate seat in the 24th District. This district is currently represented by Republican Tracy Pennycuick, a U.S. Army veteran. Osei’s entry into the race signals a potentially competitive contest in a region that has been under Republican control since 1959.

Osei, a lifelong resident of Towamencin, has framed his campaign as a push for “community-driven leadership in Harrisburg.” In his announcement, he highlighted his track record of advocating for local issues and achieving tangible results. He currently serves as secretary and at-large supervisor on the Towamencin Township Board of Supervisors, with his term extending through 2029. Pennycuick’s term, meanwhile, concludes in late 2026, and she has yet to confirm her intentions for re-election.

Should Osei secure a victory in the upcoming elections, he would appear on the ballot for both the Primary and General Election next year. If he wins the General Election in November 2026, Towamencin Township supervisors will seek applications from residents to fill his position for the remainder of his term.

Background and Community Advocacy

Osei’s background includes a degree in computational and applied mathematics from West Chester University, alongside experience in actuarial analysis within the health insurance sector. He gained significant attention in 2022 when he was elected to Towamencin’s Government Study Commission. Osei played a pivotal role in the successful effort to establish a new home-rule charter for the township. This charter, the first in Montgomery County since 1986, was designed to empower residents to prevent the privatization of the township’s sewer system, potentially saving millions in taxpayer dollars.

Active in local grassroots efforts, Osei continues to lead the group Towamencin NOPE (Neighbors Opposing Privatization Efforts). His work extends beyond Towamencin, as he travels across Pennsylvania to support other communities facing similar privatization challenges. In 2023, he ran for an at-large seat on the Towamencin Board of Supervisors, facing off against Republican incumbent Rich Marino. The race resulted in a tie, with the winner determined by a random drawing, which Osei ultimately won.

Political Landscape and Future Goals

The 24th Senate District encompasses parts of Montgomery and Berks counties, including several populous municipalities such as Towamencin. Pennycuick, who was elected to the Senate in 2022, has a distinguished military background, serving in the U.S. Army for 26 years and achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. She currently chairs the Communications and Technology Committee and serves as vice chair of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Osei’s campaign platform emphasizes several key priorities. He advocates for the protection of public ownership of utilities and water infrastructure, addressing the statewide housing shortage, and increasing funding for public transit systems, particularly for SEPTA. His approach to governance focuses on creating a “citizen-led government,” prioritizing open-space protections, long-term planning, and policies shaped by community input.

As he embarks on this campaign for the Pennsylvania Senate, Osei aims to bring his experience and commitment to the forefront, advocating for the needs of his community while challenging the status quo in a historically Republican district.