Elesha Gayman

Sometimes a local candidate catches my attention. And, when I can view the situation without bias (which I can't in NYC), I have been a good judge of those candidates who are winners and those who are losers. One of the winners I picked in 2006 was Elesha Gayman, who ran for State Rep in Iowa's 84th House district. There were several reasons she caught my attention. First, the district includes Davenport, IA, where my father was born. So I have a family interest in the district. Second, Elesha was clearly a progressive grassroots favorite, endorsed by the local Democracy for America groups. Third, it was clear to me that Elesha was an intelligent, progressive candidate who would do a great job representing her district. She was a longshot, up against a well-funded, long-time Republican incumbent. But I had the feeling Elesha had a chance.

So I donated to her campaign and I blogged for her. And she won. She is now an incumbent representing the 84th State House district in Iowa.

And she is doing a great job focusing on alternative energy, healthcare, minimum wage, agriculture, etc. You can get a rundown of her positions on these issues on her website. And you can read about Elesha's biography here. Recently, the Republican machine has targeted Elesha Gayman. She represents Iowa voters, but she sure doesn't represent the interests of the Greedy Oil Party in Iowa, so they are targeting her and some of her colleagues. So, I include her and the other targeted progressive Democrats on my Iowa Act Blue Page. Help out either by donating or volunteering. Elesha really deserves our support and she really is pissing off right wing extremists.

Iowa is doing good things. They beat the US Congress in approving a minimum wage increase. Freshman Congressman Dave Loebsack was one of the first of the new Congressmen to visit our troops in Iraq. And now they are progressing on an Energy Independence bill which aims to have Iowa independent of foreign oil by 2025. From Iowa State Representative Elesha Gayman's newsletter:

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE ACT

The House Commerce Committee passed House File 498, which sets a goal for Iowa to become energy independent by 2025. The bill creates an Iowa Energy Independence Office with an advisory council of persons with expertise in energy related fields to assist the office in carrying out its duties, including the following:

• Develop a comprehensive plan to achieve state independence from foreign energy sources by 2025.

• Coordinate all state funded energy related programs.

• Assist all Iowans to increase energy efficiency and use of alternative and renewable energy.

House File 438 also establishes an Iowa Power Fund administered by the Department of Economic Development in coordination with the director of the Iowa Energy Independence Office. The Iowa Power Fund will invest in alternative and renewable energy development and production, energy efficiency research and technological innovation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.