Progressive Democrat Issue 50: THOUGHTS and ACTIONS
The 2005 elections are upon us. So I think it is only fair that this issue focuses on those elections. If you live in any of the states mentioned below, PLEASE take some time to volunteer for some of these very important, very grassroots races. If you don’t live in any of the below areas, please make a donation to one or two races. Nothing big, but a small donation from each of us could be the much needed boost that makes or breaks a race. This year could be the year of the grassroots, but only if you and I make it so. We are off to an excellent start with some grassroots victories in Colorado. I am asking you to take some time and/or money between now and Tuesday to devote to making the grassroots work in America.
November 1st was the first round (with the exception of a handful of earlier races) with elections in Colorado. The Colorado elections were a very nice victory for Democrats, with 61% (20 out of 33) of the candidates recruited, nurtured and supported in Colorado by the group Progressive Majority winning on Nov. 1st, showing decisively that the tide is turning in America.
This shows the power of the new, progressive, largely grassroots efforts that combine local activism on the ground with national internet activism to focus money and attention on key races. Progressive Majority is focusing on local races in Washington State and Arizona on November 8th. Some last minute donations could help extend the success in Colorado to Washington and Arizona.
I want to emphasize that this 2005 election year could well be the start of the new, Howard Dean-inspired, grassroots effort to retake our nation from the bottom up. These local and state races are where our future leaders, including potential Senators, Governors and Presidents, are getting their start right now. Nurture these candidates!
Colorado, Washington and Arizona are the focal states of Progressive Majority. But most of the nation’s eyes are on two states—New Jersey and Virginia where many local races as well as Governors’ races are happening. Here is a Daily Kos diary covering the Governors’ races in these states (a couple of days old, now).
The simple message of the diary is this: we can win two Governorships on November 8th if we help these candidates:
If you live in New Jersey or know someone who does, VOLUNTEER in New Jersey to defeat the buddy of Karl Rove and complete wingnut, Forrester, and bring Corzine to victory.
If you don’t live in New Jersey, please consider a donation to Corzine’s campaign.
If you live in Virginia or know someone who does, VOLUNTEER to elect Tim Kaine as Governor of Virginia.
If you don’t live in Virginia, please consider a donation to Kaine’s campaign.
My personal attention is focused on the NYC races. There are two close city council races (with the possibility of two Republican pickups in this supposedly “blue” city) that desperately need volunteers and donations. If you live in NYC, PLEASE give these two candidates some of your time between now and Tuesday. This is absolutely critical for NYC!
Tony Avella : Here in our blue city, most elections are decided in the Democratic primary, because the Democratic candidate will get the vast majority of the votes in most districts in the 5 boroughs. But in a few areas, Republicans hold elected office or they are attempting to make inroads. Bayside Linkup (Linkup) host Steve Behar has been volunteering for Tony Avella, a Democratic City Council member in Queens who is being challenged by a Republican in a district that is not a "safe seat."
To find out more about this race, visit this link.
To volunteer for Tony Avella, contact Steve Behar at steve@democratsfornewpolitics.com .
Vinnie Gentile is a Brooklyn Democrat running for re-election to the City Council.
The Working Families Party is mobilizing phonebanks in downtown Brooklyn and lower Manhattan as well as sending people to help with activities in the district (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach).
Vinnie has consistently fought for the rights of working families and a fair budget for New York City . His opponent has gotten lots of help from the state Republican Party and has targeted him with a nasty negative campaign. His opponent's strategy is to capitalize on Bloomberg's popularity and get people to continue voting down the Republican ticket.
Losing this seat could have a negative impact on national politics. It would aid the re-election efforts of Republican Congressman Vito Fossella, since Vito's congressional district encompasses a large part of Vinnie's council district.
This race could come down to a handful of votes and major Republican and Conservative resources being mobilized against Vinnie. To help out please call Eva at 718-222-3796 ext 210
And, of course, there is the mayor’s race. I have now met Freddy Ferrer about 4 times and each time was impressed with how down to earth he is and how well he connects with voters. If only he could personally meet all New Yorkers, we would beat the billionaire Bush-supporter Bloomberg hands down. But he can’t, so he lags behind. If you can volunteer for Ferrer, please contact me or contact DFNYCer Martha Kenton at mkenton@dfnyc.org
If you live in Ohio or know anyone who does, you know that there is a major attempt to reform Ohio on the ballot this Tuesday. Please learn about these reform efforts and vote appropriately.
And VOLUNTEER!
If you don’t live in Ohio, you can still help to prevent future stolen elections by doing phonebanking to reform Ohio.
In California there is a special Congressional election in December that needs attention now. This is a case of an EXCELLENT Democrat running in a VERY Republican district who has a real chance of winning. Steve Young is running in CA-48 against a far right-wing Republican and his grassroots campaign has been doing amazingly well. But it is still a difficult race and needs volunteers and donations. We can win this one, but we have to try VERY hard! Please visit Steve Young’s website and volunteer or donate.
Finally there are a slew of candidates endorsed by Democracy for America who deserve our support. They are excellent progressive candidates from Massachusetts to Washington State to North Carolina. Again, these are our future leaders! We have to nurture them now.
Here is the list:
Sam Yoon for Boston City Council. Since graduating from the Harvard�s Kennedy School of Government, Yoon has spent more than a decade improving his community by working with local non-profit groups to create affordable housing and spur economic development. He is a teacher and community activist who is committed to improving the public schools of Boston and the delivery of community services by listening to his constituents and finding innovative solutions. If elected, Yoon will become the first Asian-American to serve on the Boston City Council. Join DFA and DFA Boston in supporting Sam Yoon. The election is November 8, 2005.
Gibran Rivera for Boston City Council, District 6. Gibran was born in Puerto Rico and came to Massachusetts when he was twelve years old. He is a community leader dedicated to making sure democracy works for everyone. Rivera is committed to improving the quality of all Boston schools, keeping neighborhood housing affordable and promoting community activism and citizen involvement. He co-founded Voto Latino, a voter empowerment organization, served as Executive Director of Inciativa, the Massachusetts Initiative for Latino Students, and was a board member and officer of the Schott Foundation for Public Education. The election is November 8, 2005.
Linda Greenstein for New Jersey State Assembly. Greenstein is a long-time resident and active citizen of Plainsboro. She is a former member of the Plainsboro Township Committee and the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education. She has been at the forefront of progressive legislation, sponsoring major property tax reform initiatives and working to preserve and expand New Jersey�s affordable prescription drug program for seniors. Linda plans to develop a fair, equitable and progressive property tax system and strive to restore people's faith in government. She will also push for sound campaign finance reform. Join DFA in supporting Linda Greenstein for New Jersey State Assembly. The election is November 8th, 2005.
Thom Jackson for New Jersey State Assembly. Thom has the courage to bring responsible leadership back to the citizens of New Jersey. Growing up in a family that struggled to make ends meet, he understands what working families face today. That is why he is dedicated to building an honest, accountable and affordable state government. Jackson is a leader who will stand up for the interests of his community and protect the well-being of his constituents. He believes in providing affordable health care for all, improving education and preserving open spaces throughout the Garden State. Help us bring fiscal responsibility and social progress back to New Jersey by electing Thom Jackson to the State Assembly. The election is November 8, 2005.
Dan Benson for New Jersey State Assembly. Dan Benson is a community leader with a commitment to his hometown. A lifelong Hamilton resident, Benson was the youngest person ever to join the Hamilton Township Council. Despite his youth, he was chosen as Council President on his first day. In addition to being active in the Council and several community organizations, he has worked in the field of telecommunications consulting and currently leads energy research projects at Rutgers University, giving him a unique view on the problems New Jersey families face today. Dan has a strong record of leadership and delivering results. If elected, he will continue working hard to lower property taxes, ensure ethics in government, and make the state of New Jersey safe, affordable, and sustainable. Join us in supporting Dan Benson for the New Jersey State Assembly today. The election is November 8, 2005.
Jun Choi for Mayor of Edison Township, NJ. Jun knows the importance of citizen involvement and is dedicated to improving his community. A native of Edison Township, Choi understands the issues his constituents face everyday and he is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all. With a broad range of experience in the government, private and non-profit sectors, Choi has the leadership needed to address Edison's most pressing issues, such as strengthening education, handling overdevelopment and congestion, running a fiscally responsible city government, and preserving the quality of life for working families and seniors citizens. With your help, we can put this dynamic candidate into office and make a better tomorrow of the citizens of Edison Township. The election is November 8, 2005.
Janice Schindler for New Jersey State Assembly.Janice believes in investing in New Jersey's future by bringing a fresh perspective to politics. As an attorney and community leader, Schindler knows the importance of listening to her constituents and building coalitions to address key issues facing the residents of Morris County. She wants to modernize the town's government by utilizing an "electronic town hall meeting," providing a platform where all constituents can voice their concerns. She is committed to lowering property taxes, improving schools, and funding stem cell research to find cures for illnesses while creating jobs for her neighbors. Help us bring better representation and innovation to the people of Morris County by supporting Janice Schindler for State Assembly. The election is November 8, 2005.
Tony Castro for District Attorney of Westchester County, New York. At the age of nine, Tony immigrated to America from Portugal. His family settled in New Bedford, MA where his father worked as a deep-sea fisherman and his mother as a seamstress in a union shop. He became the first in his family to go to college when he won a scholarship to Harvard University. After law school, Tony took a job in the Bronx District Attorney's office where he worked his way up the ranks. Now, Castro is running to fill the open seat left by Jeanine Pirro for D.A. of Westchester County. In 2001, Castro came within just 6 points of victory when he ran against Pirro, despite being outspent 10-to-1. Let's make sure Castro has the resources to finish what he started and bring change to Westchester County. The election is November 8, 2005.
Ted Nixon for Monroe County, NY Legislature. Ted understands the importance of fiscal responsibility. He plans to build a robust economy that offers greater opportunities and enhances the overall quality of life for Monroe County citizens. Ted believes the County Legislature has become a "good old boys club" run for the benefit of the Republican majority which has led to a fiscal crisis in the county.
Ted O'Brien for Monroe County, NY Legislature. O'Brien understands the importance of transparency and accountability, which is why he is dedicated to ensuring that the government is honest and open about how money is spent. He will maintain an open dialogue with his constituents. Ted is a lifelong resident of Monroe County, and a twenty year resident of Irondequoit. He is a member of the Irondequoit Democratic Committee and a member of the Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce. Help us keep this progressive voice in the Monroe County Legislature by supporting Ted O'Brien.
Jane Bogetto for the Missouri State House. Jane is running in the 94th District for the Missouri State House in a special election this November. As a 21-year resident of Kirkwood, she knows what makes her community special. She was elected to the Kirkwood School Board twice where she served as both Vice-President and President. Now, Bogetto is running for state legislature to steer Missouri back in the right direction. She's dedicated to fighting for full and fair funding for public schools and reasonable health care solutions for all. Please help us in bringing this progressive voice to Jefferson City. The election is November 8, 2005.
John Courage for Congress (DFA Grassroots All-Star) John won the DFA's Grassroots All-Star competition and the first DFA-List endorsement of 2006. He is running in the 21st Congressional District in central Texas. He has served in the U.S. Air Force, as a teacher in inner-city public schools, and as a member of the San Antonio Teacher's Council Board. He is dedicated to providing affordable health care for all, preserving and strengthening Social Security, and a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. He also seeks to strengthen public schools and to reduce our dependency on foreign oil through the development of alternative energy sources.
Jackie Minchew for City Council of Everett, Washington. Heeding the advice of Howard Dean, Jackie decided to get involved in his community by running for local office. He was elected Precinct Committee Officer and co-founded Democracy for Snohomish County. Now he wants to continue his commitment to the citizens of Everett by serving on the city council. Jackie believes that government should be open and accessible. He will promote city job growth by encouraging local business investment and sound resource management. He will also focus on finding local alternative energy solutions to help ensure a safe and beautiful environment for future generations. The election is November 8, 2005.
Holly Jones for City Council of Asheville, North Carolina. Jones is running for re-election to continue advancing a progressive agenda. While serving on Ashville's City Council, Holly supported public financing of local elections and advocated for more open government and the creation of affordable housing, including a 10-year plan to end homelessness on the streets of Ashville. Help keep this progressive voice in the Asheville City Council by supporting Holly Jones. The primary election is October 11, 2005.
Robin Cape for City Council of Asheville, North Carolina. Two summers ago, Robin Cape discovered that development threatened a vital watershed near Asheville. She and her community decided to do something about it. They launched a write-in campaign to elect Robin to the county water board and she won -- helping save the Woodfin Watershed. Now, she is campaigning to serve her community as a member of the Asheville City Council. Join DFA in supporting Robin Cape. The primary election is October 11, 2005.
Rosalynn Bliss for Grand Rapids City Commission, Second Ward. Rosalynn is a child advocate who has dedicated her career to serving others. She works diligently to improve the lives of families, to prevent violence and address her community's problems. She is committed to making Grand Rapids one of the cleanest, greenest, safest, most economically strong places to live. Bliss plans to make her vision a reality by providing employers with incentives to stay and expand in Grand Rapids and to make sure the city receives every penny of state and federal funding it is due. The election is November 8, 2005.
Mary Jo Hudson for City Council of Columbus, Ohio. Mary Jo received unanimous support from the Mayor of Columbus and the City Council when she filled an empty seat in September 2004. This appointment not only brought her progressive voice to the City Council, but also made her the first openly gay public official in Columbus. Help re-elect, Mary Jo so she can continue working to secure good-paying jobs, create high-tech growth, and maintain neighborhood safety. The election is November 8,
Re-elect Kevin Boyce to City Council of Columbus, Ohio. Boyce was appointed to the Columbus City Council in September of 2000. He is committed to providing opportunities for young people to succeed and to strengthening the city's economy. He will also continue working with community groups in a neighborhood-based approach to fight crime and combat fire fatalities. Help us keep this progressive voice on the Columbus City Council by supporting Kevin Boyce. The election is November 8, 2005.
Re-elect Maryellen O'Shaughnessy to City Council of Columbus, Ohio. O'Shaughnessy has worked hard for the people of Columbus since 1997 when she was first elected to the City Council. Her vision includes safe, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, vibrant city living, and the promotion of responsible, sustainable growth and development. Join DFA in supporting Maryellen O'Shaughnessy for Columbus City Council. The election is November 8, 2005.
Leslie Byrne for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. For more than twenty years, Leslie has been serving the people of Virginia with distinction. She has fought tirelessly for working families and against special interests. Through her commonsense values, fiscal discipline and responsible investments in education, transportation and job growth, she has proven she is a stand-out leader. She won her contested primary this summer -- with your help, we can elect Leslie Byrne in November, and bring a progressive voice to this so-called “red state.” The election is November 8, 2005.
Donna Frye for Mayor of San Diego. Donna Frye knows how to stick to her guns. She won her first race for city council of San Diego, and quickly made a mark with her tenacious commitment to open government and accountability of government spending. But looming problems in the city's pension system—problems she warned about as early as 2002—led to revelations about mismanagement, and ultimately the resignation of the incumbent mayor. Now, Donna is determined to bring fiscal responsibility to the city of San Diego with her honest and effective leadership as mayor. Help us in supporting this DFA-San Diego endorsed candidate for her special election in November.
Volunteer or donate. That is the extent of this week’s newsletter. I would do more, but the truth is, with the election impending, not only am I overwhelmed with NYC election stuff, but there really is nothing else as important as these elections going on right now. Which is not to say that there isn’t a lot going on. But we have mere DAYS to show the nation the strength of the grassroots. The time is now and the people to do it is you and me.
November 1st was the first round (with the exception of a handful of earlier races) with elections in Colorado. The Colorado elections were a very nice victory for Democrats, with 61% (20 out of 33) of the candidates recruited, nurtured and supported in Colorado by the group Progressive Majority winning on Nov. 1st, showing decisively that the tide is turning in America.
This shows the power of the new, progressive, largely grassroots efforts that combine local activism on the ground with national internet activism to focus money and attention on key races. Progressive Majority is focusing on local races in Washington State and Arizona on November 8th. Some last minute donations could help extend the success in Colorado to Washington and Arizona.
I want to emphasize that this 2005 election year could well be the start of the new, Howard Dean-inspired, grassroots effort to retake our nation from the bottom up. These local and state races are where our future leaders, including potential Senators, Governors and Presidents, are getting their start right now. Nurture these candidates!
Colorado, Washington and Arizona are the focal states of Progressive Majority. But most of the nation’s eyes are on two states—New Jersey and Virginia where many local races as well as Governors’ races are happening. Here is a Daily Kos diary covering the Governors’ races in these states (a couple of days old, now).
The simple message of the diary is this: we can win two Governorships on November 8th if we help these candidates:
If you live in New Jersey or know someone who does, VOLUNTEER in New Jersey to defeat the buddy of Karl Rove and complete wingnut, Forrester, and bring Corzine to victory.
If you don’t live in New Jersey, please consider a donation to Corzine’s campaign.
If you live in Virginia or know someone who does, VOLUNTEER to elect Tim Kaine as Governor of Virginia.
If you don’t live in Virginia, please consider a donation to Kaine’s campaign.
My personal attention is focused on the NYC races. There are two close city council races (with the possibility of two Republican pickups in this supposedly “blue” city) that desperately need volunteers and donations. If you live in NYC, PLEASE give these two candidates some of your time between now and Tuesday. This is absolutely critical for NYC!
Tony Avella : Here in our blue city, most elections are decided in the Democratic primary, because the Democratic candidate will get the vast majority of the votes in most districts in the 5 boroughs. But in a few areas, Republicans hold elected office or they are attempting to make inroads. Bayside Linkup (Linkup) host Steve Behar has been volunteering for Tony Avella, a Democratic City Council member in Queens who is being challenged by a Republican in a district that is not a "safe seat."
To find out more about this race, visit this link.
To volunteer for Tony Avella, contact Steve Behar at steve@democratsfornewpolitics.com .
Vinnie Gentile is a Brooklyn Democrat running for re-election to the City Council.
The Working Families Party is mobilizing phonebanks in downtown Brooklyn and lower Manhattan as well as sending people to help with activities in the district (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach).
Vinnie has consistently fought for the rights of working families and a fair budget for New York City . His opponent has gotten lots of help from the state Republican Party and has targeted him with a nasty negative campaign. His opponent's strategy is to capitalize on Bloomberg's popularity and get people to continue voting down the Republican ticket.
Losing this seat could have a negative impact on national politics. It would aid the re-election efforts of Republican Congressman Vito Fossella, since Vito's congressional district encompasses a large part of Vinnie's council district.
This race could come down to a handful of votes and major Republican and Conservative resources being mobilized against Vinnie. To help out please call Eva at 718-222-3796 ext 210
And, of course, there is the mayor’s race. I have now met Freddy Ferrer about 4 times and each time was impressed with how down to earth he is and how well he connects with voters. If only he could personally meet all New Yorkers, we would beat the billionaire Bush-supporter Bloomberg hands down. But he can’t, so he lags behind. If you can volunteer for Ferrer, please contact me or contact DFNYCer Martha Kenton at mkenton@dfnyc.org
If you live in Ohio or know anyone who does, you know that there is a major attempt to reform Ohio on the ballot this Tuesday. Please learn about these reform efforts and vote appropriately.
And VOLUNTEER!
If you don’t live in Ohio, you can still help to prevent future stolen elections by doing phonebanking to reform Ohio.
In California there is a special Congressional election in December that needs attention now. This is a case of an EXCELLENT Democrat running in a VERY Republican district who has a real chance of winning. Steve Young is running in CA-48 against a far right-wing Republican and his grassroots campaign has been doing amazingly well. But it is still a difficult race and needs volunteers and donations. We can win this one, but we have to try VERY hard! Please visit Steve Young’s website and volunteer or donate.
Finally there are a slew of candidates endorsed by Democracy for America who deserve our support. They are excellent progressive candidates from Massachusetts to Washington State to North Carolina. Again, these are our future leaders! We have to nurture them now.
Here is the list:
Sam Yoon for Boston City Council. Since graduating from the Harvard�s Kennedy School of Government, Yoon has spent more than a decade improving his community by working with local non-profit groups to create affordable housing and spur economic development. He is a teacher and community activist who is committed to improving the public schools of Boston and the delivery of community services by listening to his constituents and finding innovative solutions. If elected, Yoon will become the first Asian-American to serve on the Boston City Council. Join DFA and DFA Boston in supporting Sam Yoon. The election is November 8, 2005.
Gibran Rivera for Boston City Council, District 6. Gibran was born in Puerto Rico and came to Massachusetts when he was twelve years old. He is a community leader dedicated to making sure democracy works for everyone. Rivera is committed to improving the quality of all Boston schools, keeping neighborhood housing affordable and promoting community activism and citizen involvement. He co-founded Voto Latino, a voter empowerment organization, served as Executive Director of Inciativa, the Massachusetts Initiative for Latino Students, and was a board member and officer of the Schott Foundation for Public Education. The election is November 8, 2005.
Linda Greenstein for New Jersey State Assembly. Greenstein is a long-time resident and active citizen of Plainsboro. She is a former member of the Plainsboro Township Committee and the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education. She has been at the forefront of progressive legislation, sponsoring major property tax reform initiatives and working to preserve and expand New Jersey�s affordable prescription drug program for seniors. Linda plans to develop a fair, equitable and progressive property tax system and strive to restore people's faith in government. She will also push for sound campaign finance reform. Join DFA in supporting Linda Greenstein for New Jersey State Assembly. The election is November 8th, 2005.
Thom Jackson for New Jersey State Assembly. Thom has the courage to bring responsible leadership back to the citizens of New Jersey. Growing up in a family that struggled to make ends meet, he understands what working families face today. That is why he is dedicated to building an honest, accountable and affordable state government. Jackson is a leader who will stand up for the interests of his community and protect the well-being of his constituents. He believes in providing affordable health care for all, improving education and preserving open spaces throughout the Garden State. Help us bring fiscal responsibility and social progress back to New Jersey by electing Thom Jackson to the State Assembly. The election is November 8, 2005.
Dan Benson for New Jersey State Assembly. Dan Benson is a community leader with a commitment to his hometown. A lifelong Hamilton resident, Benson was the youngest person ever to join the Hamilton Township Council. Despite his youth, he was chosen as Council President on his first day. In addition to being active in the Council and several community organizations, he has worked in the field of telecommunications consulting and currently leads energy research projects at Rutgers University, giving him a unique view on the problems New Jersey families face today. Dan has a strong record of leadership and delivering results. If elected, he will continue working hard to lower property taxes, ensure ethics in government, and make the state of New Jersey safe, affordable, and sustainable. Join us in supporting Dan Benson for the New Jersey State Assembly today. The election is November 8, 2005.
Jun Choi for Mayor of Edison Township, NJ. Jun knows the importance of citizen involvement and is dedicated to improving his community. A native of Edison Township, Choi understands the issues his constituents face everyday and he is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all. With a broad range of experience in the government, private and non-profit sectors, Choi has the leadership needed to address Edison's most pressing issues, such as strengthening education, handling overdevelopment and congestion, running a fiscally responsible city government, and preserving the quality of life for working families and seniors citizens. With your help, we can put this dynamic candidate into office and make a better tomorrow of the citizens of Edison Township. The election is November 8, 2005.
Janice Schindler for New Jersey State Assembly.Janice believes in investing in New Jersey's future by bringing a fresh perspective to politics. As an attorney and community leader, Schindler knows the importance of listening to her constituents and building coalitions to address key issues facing the residents of Morris County. She wants to modernize the town's government by utilizing an "electronic town hall meeting," providing a platform where all constituents can voice their concerns. She is committed to lowering property taxes, improving schools, and funding stem cell research to find cures for illnesses while creating jobs for her neighbors. Help us bring better representation and innovation to the people of Morris County by supporting Janice Schindler for State Assembly. The election is November 8, 2005.
Tony Castro for District Attorney of Westchester County, New York. At the age of nine, Tony immigrated to America from Portugal. His family settled in New Bedford, MA where his father worked as a deep-sea fisherman and his mother as a seamstress in a union shop. He became the first in his family to go to college when he won a scholarship to Harvard University. After law school, Tony took a job in the Bronx District Attorney's office where he worked his way up the ranks. Now, Castro is running to fill the open seat left by Jeanine Pirro for D.A. of Westchester County. In 2001, Castro came within just 6 points of victory when he ran against Pirro, despite being outspent 10-to-1. Let's make sure Castro has the resources to finish what he started and bring change to Westchester County. The election is November 8, 2005.
Ted Nixon for Monroe County, NY Legislature. Ted understands the importance of fiscal responsibility. He plans to build a robust economy that offers greater opportunities and enhances the overall quality of life for Monroe County citizens. Ted believes the County Legislature has become a "good old boys club" run for the benefit of the Republican majority which has led to a fiscal crisis in the county.
Ted O'Brien for Monroe County, NY Legislature. O'Brien understands the importance of transparency and accountability, which is why he is dedicated to ensuring that the government is honest and open about how money is spent. He will maintain an open dialogue with his constituents. Ted is a lifelong resident of Monroe County, and a twenty year resident of Irondequoit. He is a member of the Irondequoit Democratic Committee and a member of the Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce. Help us keep this progressive voice in the Monroe County Legislature by supporting Ted O'Brien.
Jane Bogetto for the Missouri State House. Jane is running in the 94th District for the Missouri State House in a special election this November. As a 21-year resident of Kirkwood, she knows what makes her community special. She was elected to the Kirkwood School Board twice where she served as both Vice-President and President. Now, Bogetto is running for state legislature to steer Missouri back in the right direction. She's dedicated to fighting for full and fair funding for public schools and reasonable health care solutions for all. Please help us in bringing this progressive voice to Jefferson City. The election is November 8, 2005.
John Courage for Congress (DFA Grassroots All-Star) John won the DFA's Grassroots All-Star competition and the first DFA-List endorsement of 2006. He is running in the 21st Congressional District in central Texas. He has served in the U.S. Air Force, as a teacher in inner-city public schools, and as a member of the San Antonio Teacher's Council Board. He is dedicated to providing affordable health care for all, preserving and strengthening Social Security, and a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. He also seeks to strengthen public schools and to reduce our dependency on foreign oil through the development of alternative energy sources.
Jackie Minchew for City Council of Everett, Washington. Heeding the advice of Howard Dean, Jackie decided to get involved in his community by running for local office. He was elected Precinct Committee Officer and co-founded Democracy for Snohomish County. Now he wants to continue his commitment to the citizens of Everett by serving on the city council. Jackie believes that government should be open and accessible. He will promote city job growth by encouraging local business investment and sound resource management. He will also focus on finding local alternative energy solutions to help ensure a safe and beautiful environment for future generations. The election is November 8, 2005.
Holly Jones for City Council of Asheville, North Carolina. Jones is running for re-election to continue advancing a progressive agenda. While serving on Ashville's City Council, Holly supported public financing of local elections and advocated for more open government and the creation of affordable housing, including a 10-year plan to end homelessness on the streets of Ashville. Help keep this progressive voice in the Asheville City Council by supporting Holly Jones. The primary election is October 11, 2005.
Robin Cape for City Council of Asheville, North Carolina. Two summers ago, Robin Cape discovered that development threatened a vital watershed near Asheville. She and her community decided to do something about it. They launched a write-in campaign to elect Robin to the county water board and she won -- helping save the Woodfin Watershed. Now, she is campaigning to serve her community as a member of the Asheville City Council. Join DFA in supporting Robin Cape. The primary election is October 11, 2005.
Rosalynn Bliss for Grand Rapids City Commission, Second Ward. Rosalynn is a child advocate who has dedicated her career to serving others. She works diligently to improve the lives of families, to prevent violence and address her community's problems. She is committed to making Grand Rapids one of the cleanest, greenest, safest, most economically strong places to live. Bliss plans to make her vision a reality by providing employers with incentives to stay and expand in Grand Rapids and to make sure the city receives every penny of state and federal funding it is due. The election is November 8, 2005.
Mary Jo Hudson for City Council of Columbus, Ohio. Mary Jo received unanimous support from the Mayor of Columbus and the City Council when she filled an empty seat in September 2004. This appointment not only brought her progressive voice to the City Council, but also made her the first openly gay public official in Columbus. Help re-elect, Mary Jo so she can continue working to secure good-paying jobs, create high-tech growth, and maintain neighborhood safety. The election is November 8,
Re-elect Kevin Boyce to City Council of Columbus, Ohio. Boyce was appointed to the Columbus City Council in September of 2000. He is committed to providing opportunities for young people to succeed and to strengthening the city's economy. He will also continue working with community groups in a neighborhood-based approach to fight crime and combat fire fatalities. Help us keep this progressive voice on the Columbus City Council by supporting Kevin Boyce. The election is November 8, 2005.
Re-elect Maryellen O'Shaughnessy to City Council of Columbus, Ohio. O'Shaughnessy has worked hard for the people of Columbus since 1997 when she was first elected to the City Council. Her vision includes safe, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, vibrant city living, and the promotion of responsible, sustainable growth and development. Join DFA in supporting Maryellen O'Shaughnessy for Columbus City Council. The election is November 8, 2005.
Leslie Byrne for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. For more than twenty years, Leslie has been serving the people of Virginia with distinction. She has fought tirelessly for working families and against special interests. Through her commonsense values, fiscal discipline and responsible investments in education, transportation and job growth, she has proven she is a stand-out leader. She won her contested primary this summer -- with your help, we can elect Leslie Byrne in November, and bring a progressive voice to this so-called “red state.” The election is November 8, 2005.
Donna Frye for Mayor of San Diego. Donna Frye knows how to stick to her guns. She won her first race for city council of San Diego, and quickly made a mark with her tenacious commitment to open government and accountability of government spending. But looming problems in the city's pension system—problems she warned about as early as 2002—led to revelations about mismanagement, and ultimately the resignation of the incumbent mayor. Now, Donna is determined to bring fiscal responsibility to the city of San Diego with her honest and effective leadership as mayor. Help us in supporting this DFA-San Diego endorsed candidate for her special election in November.
Volunteer or donate. That is the extent of this week’s newsletter. I would do more, but the truth is, with the election impending, not only am I overwhelmed with NYC election stuff, but there really is nothing else as important as these elections going on right now. Which is not to say that there isn’t a lot going on. But we have mere DAYS to show the nation the strength of the grassroots. The time is now and the people to do it is you and me.
posted by mole333 | 12:39 PM
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