Gov. Howard Dean Visits Los Angeles

Released: Jun 30, 2004 10:31 PM

BURLINGTON, VT - Gov. Howard Dean will attend a low dollar fundraiser in Los Angeles for his new organization, Democracy for America, on July 6. Syndicated columnist and best selling author, Arianna Huffington, members of the grassroots organizations Los Angeles for Democracy and Latinos For Democracy, and other elected officials and candidates will attend. Honorary event chairs include Members of Congress Zoe Lofgren, Hilda Solis, Diane Watson and Lucille Roybal-Allard. Joining the event will be LA City Council Member Eric Garcetti and State Senator Richard Alarcon.

Billed as a benefit for the "Democratic All-Stars," this event will highlight Democracy For America's continuing efforts to unify and educate voters with information and exposure to local progressive candidates. It also, once again, demonstrates Gov. Dean's ability to tap into the passionate base of small dollar donors who fueled his bid for the presidency. The organizers, local grassroots supporters of Dean and now DFA, have remained very active following the conclusion of Dean's presidential campaign, and are representative of the type of activists his supporters around the country have become as they continue to promote their common cause.

Gov. Howard Dean is founder and honorary chair of Democracy for America. Inspired by his presidential campaign, Democracy for America (www.democracyforamerica.com) is dedicated to supporting fiscally conservative, socially progressive candidates at all levels of government - from school board to the presidency.

Who: Gov. Howard Dean
What: Democracy for America and Los Angeles for Democracy fundraiser
When: Tuesday, July 6 at 7:00 pm
Where: Century Club 10131 Constellation Blvd, Century City
Tickets: Rjacobs@DemocracyforAmerica.com (or purchase at the door)
Contact: Laura Gross, 802-651-3200, ext. 134; cell: 802-318-6853

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GOV. HOWARD DEAN VS. RALPH NADER

Released: Jun 30, 2004 1:32 PM

Friday, July 9, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. - National Press Building in Washington, DC

BURLINGTON, VT - Gov. Howard Dean will debate Ralph Nader on Friday, July 9, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. at the National Press Building in Washington, DC. Taped in front of a studio audience of 150 people, the debate is sponsored by NPR's Justice Talking. It will focus on issues surrounding this election, including whether this is the right time for Nader to run for President and the role of third parties in this country. The debate will be open to the press.

Margot Adler, NPR correspondent and host of Justice Talking will moderate.

"I am anxious to debate Ralph Nader in order to speak about why he wants to run for President," said Dean. "This is the most important election in my lifetime and a third party candidate could make a difference - this November and for years to come."

Dean is currently the honorary chair of Democracy for America (www.democracyforamerica.com), a political action committee dedicated to supporting fiscally conservative, socially progressive candidates at all levels of government - from school board to the presidency. Every two weeks, Dean and Democracy for America endorse twelve candidates - The Dean Dozen - to help recruit volunteers and raise money for races all over the country.

For more information about NPR's Justice Talking and logistics for the Dean/Nader debate, please contact the Public Interest Media Group at 212-260-1520 or info@publicinterestmedia.com.

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Gov. Howard Dean and Democracy for America Endorse Thirteen Candidates - The Dean "Baker's" Dozen

Released: Jun 24, 2004 12:15 PM

BURLINGTON, VT-Today, Gov. Howard Dean and his organization, Democracy for America (www.democracyforamerica.com), endorsed the fourth set of Dean Dozen candidates. These candidates are socially progressive, fiscally conservative and represent the true spirit of grassroots democracy in this country.

On behalf of the candidates, Democracy for America will reach out to their supporters to inform them about the Dean Baker's Dozen. Many of these enthusiastic supporters have already expressed interest in financially supporting and volunteering for candidates Dean endorses.

"This group of candidates is a collection of people who have won the support of grassroots activists all over the country," said Dean. "They are the future of the Democratic Party - candidates powered by the people and for the people. With these candidates, the end of government by and for the special interests is near."

Democracy for America is dedicated to using its resources to support candidates in their fight to take our country back from the right-wing conservatives who dominate our government. These will be tough races and not everyone on the Dean Dozen may win. However, they will all spread the message that bringing change to American politics is critically important.

The Dean Dozen are...

Nancy Farmer for United States Senate from Missouri. Dean campaigned with Farmer in St. Louis and Kansas City recently. She is a progressive up against one of George W. Bush's staunchest conservative allies. www.nancyfarmer.com

Debra Sasser for Wake County, NC District Court Judge. As an attorney, Sasser has fought for children and family rights. There are very few Democratic judges in North Carolina - and it is about time we start electing some good progressive ones. www.debrasasser.com

Dana Rasch for Florida State Representative. As a 1st Lt. and casualty officer in the United States Marine Corps it was Rasch's solemn responsibility to inform parents about the loss of their loved ones in Iraq. A day after earning an honorable discharge in December 2003, Rasch went to work on Dean's presidential campaign. Now he is committed to improving the lives of the people of Florida's 26th district by running for office himself. www.danarasch2004.com

Fran Egbers for New Hampshire State Representative. After volunteering countless hours for Dean for America in New Hampshire, great-grandmother Egbers is now running to represent the people of Manchester she met on the trail. www.franegbers.com.

Peter Buckley for Oregon State Representative. Few people are more committed to getting people involved in their democracy than Buckley. Buckley has been active in grassroots organizing and improving community life for 20 years. He has a great shot of winning this seat, as registered Democrats outnumber Republicans. www.peterbuckley.org

Nate Hogan for Kansas State Senate. The Kansas Senate needs people like Nate Hogan whose priorities are public education, economic development and equal rights for all. And yet, in Kansas, Hogan has a tough fight on his hands. www.natehoganforkansas.com

Anne Wolfe, Steve Brozak, Amy Vasquez and Herb Conaway for United States Congress from New Jersey. The grassroots activists of New Jersey for Democracy (www.njfordemocracy.org) recommend Wolfe, Brozak, Vasquez and Conaway for Congress. And they are on the front lines of the fight to win back the House of Representatives. Each of these dynamic leaders is ready to go to Washington and stand for universal health care. www.wolfe2004congress.com, www.stevebrozakforcongress.com, www.amyvasquez.com and www.herbconawayforcongress.campaignoffice.com

Charlie Smith for South Carolina State House. A South Carolina native, Smith worked tirelessly for Dean during his race for the presidency. Now Smith has answered the call again and is running for the state legislature. A successful businessman, Smith has great ideas for bringing jobs back to South Carolina, balancing the state budget, fully funding Medicare and preserving the environment. Smith will stand up to his opponent on civil rights and fight for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community. www.friendsofcharliesmith.com

Re-elect Charley Murphy and Bill Straus Massachusetts State Representatives. They continue their drive for better health care, a cleaner environment and a public school system that provides every student an excellent education. Join Dean and Representatives Murphy and Straus at a morning reception in their honor July 27 in Boston. www.repmurphy.com and www.repstraus.com

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Third Dean Dozen Announcement

Released: Jun 10, 2004 5:05 PM

BURLINGTON, VT - Today, Gov. Howard Dean and his organization, Democracy for America (www.democracyforamerica.com), endorsed twelve socially progressive, fiscally responsible candidates that represent the spirit of grassroots democracy in this country - the "Dean Dozen."

On behalf of the candidates, Democracy for America will reach out to their supporters to inform them about the Dean Dozen. Many of these enthusiastic supporters have already expressed interest in financially supporting and volunteering for candidates Dean endorses.

"This installment of the Dean Dozen represents a diverse group of candidates fighting to take back the country from special interests," said Dean. "Among them are nurses, educators, environmentalists, and labor union activists. But more important, these twelve Americans are dedicated to changing politics as usual in this country."

Gov. Dean and Democracy for America have endorsed two sets of "Dean Dozen" candidates in the last month and will continue to endorse candidates until the November election. Candidates running at every level of government have seen an immediate impact from this powerful endorsement: Rob MacKenna, candidate for supervisor of elections in Hillsborough County, Fla. had 22,840 visits to his Web site the Friday after the endorsement, up from a daily average of 420. MacKenna is now receiving national attention for his Florida county race, including most recently a quote in the Wall Street Journal.

Democracy for America is a political action committee dedicated to using its resources to support candidates in their fight to take our country back from the right-wing conservatives who dominate our government. These will be tough races and not everyone on the Dean Dozen may win. However, they will all spread the message that bringing change to American politics is critically important.

The Dean Dozen are...

Jim Stork for United States Congress from Florida. Few congressional races have attracted so much attention so fast. Openly gay Stork announced his run in March and out-raised incumbent Clay Shaw by over $150,000 in the first quarter of this year. In 2000, Shaw barely won reelection by 599 votes. Democracy for America joins the Broward and Palm Beach County AFL-CIO chapters in enthusiastically endorsing Jim Stork. www.storkforcongress.com

Tami Green for Washington State House of Representatives. Four years ago first-time candidate Tami Green lost to a well-financed, incumbent Republican by only three percent. This year the seat is open. A nurse and SEIU member, Tami was inspired by Howard Dean to run again this year. www.tamigreen.com

Susan Clary for Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor of Orange County, Fl. An award-winning member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Susan is knocking on doors across Orange County - raising the profile of her race and the office she seeks. As a conservation district supervisor Susan will work with landowners to conserve the natural resources held by private citizens in central Florida. www.susanclary.com

Eddgra Fallin for School Board in Huntsville, Al. Since helping to desegregate the Decatur, Al public schools as a child, Eddgra Hill Fallin has been working for equal access to academic excellence. A victory in Huntsville's non-partisan municipal elections on August 24 will mean she can continue the fight. www.eddgrafallin.com

Missy Taylor for Kansas House of Representatives. As a retired teacher and NEA member, Missy Taylor's first priority is a just finance plan that will fund an excellent education for all Kansas schools. Democrats need to outwork the Republicans in this district and the Taylor campaign needs volunteers to help register new voters this summer. www.taylorforkansas.com

Judge William O'Neill for Supreme Court of Ohio. "Money and judges don't mix. Never have and never will." That's why Judge O'Neill limits campaign contributions to $10. And that's why he wins races even when he is outspent more than ten-to-one. www.oneillforjustice.com

Patti Fritz for Minnesota State House District 26B. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, "Patti Fritz is the sort of person you'd like caring for your parents as they grow old." This Licensed Practical Nurse at St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault and retired member of SEIU Local 113 came within 600 votes of victory in 2000. That strong showing has put her near the top of the target lists for 2004. http://pattifritz.smartcampaigns.com

Scott Kawasaki for Alaska State House. Fairbanks' youngest city councilman and a tireless opponent of certain provisions of the Patriot Act, Scott is moving on to a run for state house. www.scottforhouse.com

Paul Babbitt for United States Congress from Arizona. Arizona's first congressional district is one of the most competitive races in the country this year. And Babbitt is going to win because as a county supervisor who has called rural Arizona home for over 50 years, he knows what is important to people here. http://dfa.paulbabbitt.us

Lois Herr for United States Congress from Pennsylvania. Answering Howard Dean's call to challenge the far-right across the board, Lois Herr is challenging Joe Pitts - an anti-choice Republican who has reneged on his pledge to abide by a ten-year term limit. www.loisherr.us

James Whitaker for Michigan State House. The Republican Party of Michigan doesn't think very highly of Democracy for America. The Whitaker campaign gives Democracy for America an opportunity to prove the Republicans have every reason to worry. www.jameswhitaker.us

Edward Ableser for Arizona House of Representatives. Generation Dean's own Edward Ableser is running for state representative from Tempe, Ariz. He's walking every precinct in the district, knocking on doors and introducing himself and his issues: education and health care. www.eza2004.com

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