Jane Mitakides for U.S. Congress

Background:

I was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, where I successfully began my business in strategic communications and investor relations. I am also a part-owner of DRNA, Inc., the largest dental waste recycler in North America.

In addition to my professional work, I have been actively involved in community organizations for my entire life. As a member of the St. Elizabeth Hospital Development Board I fought government policies that denied healthcare to those who had been on welfare but had recently found employment. I am a life-member of the Dayton NAACP and have served on the boards of the Dayton Ballet and Opera Guild.

I have also been politically active on a national level. I am a founding member of both the Women’s Council of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Small Business Council of the Democratic National Committee. Additionally, I am an active member of EMILY’s List and the Women’s Leadership Forum.

I am the very proud mother of two children: Katie, who is completing her PhD in International Relations, and Andrew, a senior at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. I have been married for 25 years to John Mitakides.

Goals:

The failed policies of the last seven years have been especially hard on Ohio. In Congress, I will work tirelessly to find lasting solutions that are required to strengthen our economy and our nation. This includes, but is not limited to, stabilizing our economy, bring an end to the war in Iraq, re-establishing America’s place in the world, making university healthcare a reality, and finding “green” solutions to our dependence on foreign oil.

When I was young, two events shaped my political life. First, in 1960, my mother volunteered for John F. Kennedy, and took me to see him speak from the steps of the old courthouse in Dayton.

The second event was the only time that I ever saw my father with tears in his eyes - on the day that Martin Luther King was assassinated. I have never stopped believing in the America they envisioned.

I am running in order to give a real voice to the people of this district in Washington. I am running because I believe in the greatness of America, an America that would never allow 300,000 veterans to be homeless, schools to fail, and children to go without basic healthcare.

Issues:

There are many serious challenges facing our nation, and much rebuilding to be done both domestically and internationally. In this campaign, I will focus on the most important issues that are affecting the people of the 3rd Congressional District of Ohio. These issues include the economy, healthcare, and veteran affairs.

Hard-working families have been left to struggle with the consequences of failed economic policies and outright out-right greed, including predatory lenders and no-bid war profiteers.. We need to support fair trade, not free trade, and stop giving corporations tax breaks for shipping our jobs overseas. In Congress, I will also work to create jobs in emerging “green” industries in my district, which has historically been a hub of innovation and technology.

Too many Americans remain outside our healthcare system. I will make it a priority to work with our newly-elected Democratic president to ensure that we achieve universal healthcare in America.

The largest employer of the 3rd Congressional District of Ohio is Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. My family has a long history of military service. As a result, I understand that we must make the fulfillment of our sacred contract with our active military and veterans a priority. Every veteran must receive the benefits they have earned and the assistance they need - right from the beginning. Counseling and follow-through for those who have served in combat is vital. Additionally, I support updating the GI Bill to provide greater educational opportunities and expanded VA home loans.

Grassroots Support:

I have always believed that grassroots isn’t the best way to win a campaign - it’s the only way. Only when people are engaged and involved can a campaign or candidate be truly successful.

My entire life, I have been involved in grassroots campaigns at all levels. I have handed out literature at factory gates at 4 pm, manned tents in the Texas sun, and block-walked for candidates ranging from the legendary Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez to Senator John Kerry. I have also taught my children the importance of grassroots organizing and, as a result, they have walked endless miles canvassing for progressive candidates they believe in. My daughter was the vice-president of Virginia Young Democrats.

With 12 colleges and universities located in or near my district, I will make it a priority to bring young people together to participate in this historic election. I know that our party succeeds only when we bring new people into the process and connect with voters on a personal level. These can only be achieved through grassroots organizing.

I believe, and always will believe, that real change starts at the grassroots - not the grasstops. I will enforce this belief in everything I do in my campaign.

DFA Values:

I believe that being social progressive and fiscally responsible go hand-in-hand. We can ensure that all of our citizens have an equal opportunity to achieve the American dream while also safeguarding our nation’s fiscal system for future generations. By making responsible investments in America and each other, we can be both socially progressive and fiscally responsible.

In Congress, I will work to rejuvenate our economy that has been deteriorating under failed Republican economic policies. Cutting taxes for the middle class, ensuring healthcare to every American, and ending tax breaks for corporations who ship our jobs overseas are not only socially progressive, but also sound fiscal policies that will put our economy back on track while, at the same time, decreasing our deficit. I will support investment in green industry and our nation’s infrastructure.