election 2007

I have been pushing two special elections, one in Ohio and one in Virginia. Both were in traditionally DEEP red districts. The very fact that we seemed to have a shot at EITHER of them was a big surprise.

What happened in the end was the Republicans held their own. They performed pretty much as expected in both districts easily winning both. But what did happen was the strength of the Democratic challenge forced them to fight harder than they ever had to for these two districts. They had to fight harder than ever to stay where they were.

In and of itself this would be meaningless. But as part of a broader strategy (an extension of Howard Dean's contest every district philosophy) the Democrats did something pretty smart. The DCCC has far more money these days than the NRCC. This is unusual. Generally the NRCC does far better at fundraising. But people are so fed up with Bush that the Republicans are having a really hard time fundraising while the Dems are doing great.

So the DCCC, somewhat uncharacteristically, decided to take a lesson from Howard Dean. So they used some of their surplus funds to make a try for deep red districts. They lost but in the process they made the Republicans spend money they just don't have.

As of last filing the NRCC had $2.6 million in the bank and $3.6 million in debt. Yep they had MORE DEBT than cash. Since then we forced them to spend nearly 20% of the cash they had on hand to hold onto two districts that they never really had to defend before. This plunges them deeper into debt.

Today are two important special elections for Congress: VA-1 and OH-5. Both used to be safe republican districts, but the Iraq Quagmire and Bush's staggering unpopularity have turned them into hotly contested districts. The Republican Party is so spooked over these that they are actually going deep into debt to try and win them. They are pouring money they don't have into these distircts, yet going into election day both seats are still up in the air.

VIRGINIA's 5th Congressional District:

Philip Forgit is aIraq War Vet and a Bronze Star recipient . He served with a Naval Special Warfare Unit as an advisor to the Iraqi Army in 2005-2006. Prior to being called up Forgit was a 4th grade teacher at Rawls Byrd Elementary, winning the 2005 National Education Association (NEA) Award for Teaching Excellence. Bronze Star AND NEA award for Teaching Excellence. Seems like an excellent candidate.

Phil Forgit has been endorsed by Teamsters Local 95, Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, Captain Ted Hontz USN (Ret) Former Commanding Officer, Aegis Training Center, Chap Petersen, State Senator-Elect, 34th District (and someone I have pushed for before!), Sheriff Gerald S. Holt, and many others.

Forgit has a shot at winning, albeit a long shot. What he needs is a high voter turn out. So, if you live in that district VOTE. And if you want to help (from within or outside the district) please contact Forgit's campaign NOW.

Tuesday November 6th is election day in Virginia. If progresssives want to have an influence, they have to focus on low turnout elections like this one. This is one of our best chances to have an effect...if we VOTE!

Here are some resources and recommendations for Virginia voters:

Chap Peterson for State Senate, 34th district:

I've advocated for this guy before, and now is the time to vote for him. Endorsed by AFL-CIO, League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Fairfax County Coalition of Police, Fairfax County Deputy Sheriffs, Gov. Mark Warner, Gov. Tim Kaine, Sen. Jim Webb and others. I picked Chap for top attention earlier this year and I place him there again just before election day.

I don't have enough info on other candidates to make specific recommendations for other races right now, but here are some resources to help you decide.

AFL-CIO endorsed candidates for Virginia in 2007

League of Conservation Voters endorsed candidates for Virginia in 2007

Sierra Club Endorsements

Tuesday November 6th is election day 2007. I have been covering as many states as I could to highlight races that are important to progressives, relying on organizations I am familiar with like Democracy for America and its local affiliates and Progressive Majority.

Well, each time I post about this over at Daily Kos SOMEONE wants more. Now it's Utah. Yep...there are things the progressive grassroots can do in Utah as well. So here we go...PROGRESSIVES GET OUT AND VOTE IN UTAH!

First off is a school voucher referendum that needs to be opposed. VOTE NO ON REFERENDUM 1. This school voucher referendum is opposed by the Utah PTA, NAACP - Salt Lake Chapter, League of Women Voters, Voices for Utah Children, Communities for Quality Education (CQE), American Civil Liberties Union, Utah Family Partnership Network, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) - Utah Section, and many others. And there is a scathing editorial in the Salt Lake Tribune urging a "NO" vote on Referendum 1.

Democracy for Utah also has endorsed Ralph Becker for Salt Lake City mayor. Becker has also been endorsed by Salt Lake County Hispanic Caucus, Sierra Club, Utah Black Democratic Caucus, Cal Rampton (former Governor of Utah), and many, many others.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6th is election day. Continuing my push to get out the progressive grassroots for the 2007 election on TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6th, I now turn to Minnesota. This one is for Paul Welstone!

These are the endorsements of Progressive Majority in Minnesota:

Melvin Carter III, Candidate for St. Paul City Council - Ward 1 (Challenger)

Melvin Carter is a 28 year old, African American, first time candidate for Saint Paul City Council. Melvin is a lifetime resident of Saint Paul with a background in community and electoral organizing; most recently he worked on the Policy Outreach Team in the office of Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Melvin is running against a Chamber of Commerce-endorsed and one-term incumbent, Debbie Montgomery. Melvin's election would contribute to shifting the St. Paul City Council from a moderate Council to a progressive Council. Melvin has already secured the endorsements of AFSCME Council 5, Take Action Minnesota, ACORN PAC, and St. Paul Firefighters IAFF Local 21, St. Paul Trades & Labor Assembly, Congressman Keith Ellison, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Laborers Local 132, SEIU Minnesota State Council, Stonewall DFL, and six of the 12 DFL legislators in Saint Paul. Melvin is a dynamic leader with potential to make a difference in St. Paul.

Click here to support and learn more about Melvin.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6th is election day. If progressives want a solid voice in American politics we gotta influence elections. And off-year, low voter turnout elections like what is coming up TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6TH are the best chances for progressives to affect the outcome.

Continuing my push to get out the progressive grassroots for the 2007 election on TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6th, I now turn to Arizona.

Here are two endorsements by Progressive Majority, one of the most effective progressive grassroots organization in the country, for Arizona voters:

Marie Lopez Rogers, Candidate for Mayor of Avondale (Incumbent)

Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers of Avondale is running for reelection as the only Latina in a Latino/a city. She was appointed Mayor in January 2006, has lived in the district for 50 of her 57 years, and is a former member of CWA. She is endorsed by the police, firefighters, AFL-CIO and SEIU. Marie is a strong progressive, and she is the key to halting or slowing legislation from a city council that is dominated by conservatives.

This was previously an agricultural town that is rapidly growing with scores of subdivisions along Interstate-10 west of Phoenix. It also includes Phoenix International Race Way that attracts tens of thousands of people to NASCAR races. Marie wants to preserve the quality of life in Avondale by working for safer streets and neighborhoods, providing efficient cost-effective city services, and ensuring a vital economy through an appropriate balance of residential, commercial and recreational development.

Coninuing my push for progressive victories for election day 2007 this Tuesday, Nov. 6th, I want to highlight candidates endorsed by Democracy for Tennessee. All of these candidates are running in Nashville:

DFT Endorses Candidates in Nashville Elections!

DFA Nashville and Democracy for Tennessee are proud to announce the endorsement of the "Nashville New Wave" slate of candidates running for Metro Council!

These six candidates, running for office for the first time, promise to bring a diverse, new, progressive vision to Nashville that will allow our city to prosper and give hope to the next generation. Representing areas all across the county and campaigning using grassroots tactics, the New Wave slate are ready to take our county back. They are...

SAM McCULLOUGH

Sam didn't set out to run for Metro Council, but residents of his district, long impressed at how he worked to help solve their problems, talked him into it.

Sam believes in improving the quality of his neighborhood and making people's lives better. As a life-long Nashville resident, people have looked to him as a leader.

His persistence has won him the trust of his neighbors and he will become a valuable and trusted voice on the Metro Council.

To help get out the vote for Sam, email here: jim@democracryfortennessee.com

SHANE BURKETT

If progressives want a solid voice in American politics they sure as hell better vote, vote carefully and, ideally, get out the vote for the best candidates. And off-year, low voter turnout elections like what is coming up TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6TH are the best chances for progressives to affect the outcome. So from now until Tuesday, get busy to prove progressives are a force in American politics.

Continuing my lead up to the 2007 elections on TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6th, I now cover the Democracy for America and Progressive Majority endorsements for Washington State.

Jackie Minchew- Everett City Council - Position 7 Endorsed by Democracy for Washington, Democracy for America, Sierra Club, Washington Conservation Voters...and many more)

Charlene Rawson - Everett City Council - Position 4 (Endorsed by Democracy for America, Democracy for Washington, Everett Firefighters, The Sierra Club, Washington Conservation Voters...and many more)

Al Runte - Seattle City Council - Position 3 (Enddorsed by Democracy for Washington, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77...and many more).

I am continuing my leadup to election day 2007: TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6th.

In Oregon there are two ballot measures worth consideration:

Yes on 49: Healthy Oregon

This measure tries to balance environmental and development interests. It has been endorsed by the Audubon Society of Lincoln City, Audubon Society of Portland, Bicycle Transportation Alliance, Bike. Walk. Vote., Coalition for a Livable Future, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, Democratic Party of Oregon, League of Women Voters of Oregon, Oregon AFL-CIO, Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Oregon Natural Resources Council Action, OSPIRG - Environment Oregon, Sierra Club, Working Assets, AFSCME, American Farmland Trust, People's Food Co-op, Oregon Winegrowers Association, and many others. I have to say I consider this an AMAZING coalition. You can see the full list here. You can see a breakdown of what is in the measure here.

Yes on 50: Healthy Kids

Measure 50 will fund quality health care for the children of working families not covered by insurance. It will strengthen programs to help smokers quit so that thousands of adults can live to see their kids grow up, too. And it will save taxpayers millions by cutting medical costs from secondhand smoke-related illnesses and reduce insurance costs for small businesses. Supported by American Cancer Society, Oregon PTA, Oregon State Fire Fighters Council, Oregon Alliance of Retired Americans, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Children First for Oregon, Oregon Nurses Association, Basic Rights Oregon, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, American Lung Association of Oregon, Oregon Alliance of Children’s Program, Coalition for a Healthy Oregon, National Council of Jewish Women (Portland Section), American Jewish Committee, Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, Women’s Rights Coalition, Stand for Children...pretty much everyone except big tobacco. Again, I am impressed with the coalition that has come together over this. Find out more here.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6th is election day. If progressives want a solid voice in American politics we gotta influence elections. And off-year, low voter turnout elections like what is coming up TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6TH are the best chances for progressives to affect the outcome.

I now turn to some California endorsements from Democracy for America's Silicon Valley group and from Progressive Majority, one of the most successful grassroots organizations around.

First, Silicon Valley: (with links)

Los Altos City Council

* Randall Hull (also endorsed by the California League of Conservation Voters and Sierra Club)

Palo Alto City Council

* Pat Burt
* Dan Dykwel
* Sid Espinoza
* Yiawey Yeh (also endorsed by Sierra Club and California League of Conservation Voters)

Palo Alto Unified School District
( vote for three only )

* Claude Exran
* Wynn Hauser
* Barbara Klausner
* Camille Townsend

Sunnyvale City Council