Primary Election Date: 03/22/2006
General Election Date: 03/22/2006

Who Am I?

I currently work for the Center for Regional Development at Bowing Green State University. The Center's function is to extend the resources of the University to the surrounding Northwest Ohio counties. I accepted this position after earning a master's degree in public administration because I saw it as an opportunity to foster sustainable community evelopment and improve quality of life for the area.

For over 20 years I have dedicated my time and resources to a cause aimed at instilling humane principles into society that has led to improved quality of life for people and animals in my corner of the world. A humane society is a more socially responsible, more tolerant, and more caring society.

My volunteerism as a court appointed special advocate, former emergency medical technician, and blood donor further exemplify my commitment to solving social problems through direct action that relieves the fiscal burden of people and communities.

As a candidate in 2004, I took a public stand on the curtailment of industrial livestock operations (aka concentrated animal feeding operations) as a means of putting public and environmental health (not to mention animal welfare) ahead of short-term gain for an industry whose economic costs and risks have not been fully recognized or acknowledged. Due to the tremendous potential for environmental and public health damage, this issue is a perfect example of an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure.

Why Am I Running?

I am running for Congress because the district needs and deserves a representative who will play an active, caring role in the future of the people and the district. The region and the people have tremendous potential to rise to the challenge of globalization and energy independence; but lack a strong and active voice here at home and in Washington to enthusiastically represent the best interests average Americans. Further, I believe the job of the representative is to encourage and facilitate public participation in our democracy. As such, a primary goal of my candidacy and service in Congress is to foster public dialogue and meaningful interaction between the public and their government.

Hold Me Accountable!

1. Achieving energy independence, environmental protection, and economic improvement through vigorous pursuit of clean alternative energy production in OH5 and the nation.
2. Affordable health care insurance for everyone in America.
3. Campaign finance reform. Without real reform, the needs of the many (on virtually any issues) will continue to take a back seat to the few with the financial power to influence Congress, and it will remain difficult to elect qualified candidates running against powerful incumbents.

My DFA values:

Not having held an elected office previously, my employment choices, volunteer efforts, and 2004 candidate positions best exemplify my social progressiveness and fiscal responsibility. I believe in family planning, environmental and animal protection, deficit reductions, the preservation of Social Security (without costly privatized accounts), energy independence, and the conservation of natural resources. The endorsements I received in 2004 are also an indication of my social progressiveness and fiscal responsibility characteristics. (see www.robinforcongress.com)

My Campaign is People-Powered!

Grassroots organizing will continue to play a vial role in my second campaign for Congress, wherein necessity is the mother of invention. My opponent outspent me by several times in the last election in terms of dollars raised and spent, but not in terms of people engaged and mobilized. Lessons learned in the 2004 campaign will afford expanded and improved grassroots efforts in 2006. I plan to hire staff specifically devoted to effectively engaging volunteers and providing more grassroots opportunities for interested supporters.