Heather Ryan for KY-01

Background:

I am a veteran of the United States Navy, mother of two girls and wife. I obtained my degree in Political Science from Drake University with the help of the Montgomery G.I. Bill in 2000. I worked for 5 years as a fundraiser for a women's organization in Washington, D.C. until 2005 when I moved to Paducah Kentucky as a campaign manager for Eric Streit. I moved here for a job, I stayed to build a life.

Goals:

I was propelled into this race when an encounter with Senator Mitch McConnell threatened the city of Paducah's pork funding if I was not fired - all because I asked him a question about the Iraq war and it made him angry. I was not afraid to stand up to a corrupt politician and I am not afraid to stand up for the residents of Ky-01. One of my main goals is to end the culture of complacency Whitfield has brought to KY-01 and bring back integrity to the district.

Issues:

The top three issues I am running on in this election are 1) Guaranteed universal healtchare for all Americans 2) Ending the war in Iraq 3) Building a basis for ending our dependence on foreign oil.

Grassroots Support:

My entire campaign is grassroots based. We don't have a Million Dollars like Special Interest Exxon Eddie Whitfield. Instead, we have an active website with YouTube Video Diary, MySpace and E-Newsletter. While we can never outspend my opponent, we have the momentum and excitement it will take to defeat this embedded incumbent.

DFA Values:

Fiscal responsibility is ending an ill planned and poorly conceived war which is bankrupting this nation. That is the very first step we need to take on January 20, 2008. After we have ceased spending money we're borrowing from China for an unwinable war, we can focus on issues concerning average Americans, such as the lack of affordable healtcare, global warming and building renewable energy sources.