CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Re-elect Secretary of State Debra Bowen

I was proud to have helped Debra Bowen become Secretary of State for California. I supported her through the excellent (and I would say VERY NECESSARY) Secretary of State Project. Debra Bowen is up for re-election in 2010 and the Republicans are seriously targeting her. Here is what they have to say on the Secretary of State Project website:

Debra Bowen is one of the most progressive Secretaries of State in the nation. Shortly taking office she ordered a “top to bottom” review of the California’s electronic voting machines which resulted in the decertification of Diebold and two other voting system manufacturers. As a result of her progressive accomplishments as Secretary of State, she was awarded a Profile in Courage Award by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in 2008.

And this comes from Debra Bowen's campaign:

With summer transitioning to fall, I wanted to write you a quick update — and ask for your help.

I'm so proud of the work our office has done to ensure the voting systems we use in California are secure, accurate, reliable, and accessible. We have increased transparency in our elections, and record numbers of Californians are participating in the democratic process. I believe that California voters are more confident than ever that their votes count — and will be counted.

There's so much more to do, which is why I'm running for a second term as Secretary of State — will you help our campaign today?

Please click here to contribute $25, $50, $100 or more to my re-election campaign today!

In 2006, you elected me to restore confidence in California's electoral systems, and that's been my top priority from day one. I conducted a comprehensive review of the state's voting standards, which led to several insecure voting machine systems being decertified for use in California. I also imposed significant security and auditing requirements to strengthen public confidence in our elections — confidence that is a critical component of our democracy.

In 2008, I was honored to receive a John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award for these efforts. And I will always fight to ensure that voting systems certified for use in California are secure, accurate, reliable, and accessible.

I promise you that I'll continue working to make our state a model for the rest of the country as California's Secretary of State. But I can't do it without your help.

Please click here to contribute $25, $50, $100 or more to my re-election campaign today!

While the election may seem far away, already a Republican opponent has thrown her hat in the ring. Conservative Assemblywoman Audra Strickland is part of the husband & wife political team that has been investigated by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office for misusing campaign funds — so we have every reason to believe that this will be a hard fought race.

As you know, campaigns for statewide office in California are expensive. Fortunately, I know that I can count on my most valuable resources: generous friends and grassroots supporters like you!

Please click here to contribute $25, $50, $100 or more to my re-election campaign today!

Your support is invaluable and I can't return for a second four-year term without you. Your commitment will keep the California Secretary of State's office in the hands of someone who is consistently working to ensure ALL Californians can have confidence that their vote is recorded as it was cast.

Thank you for your support,

Debra Bowen
Secretary of State