Democracy for America Endorses Tonya Payne

Released: May 25, 2005 1:04 PM

Candidate for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania City Council

BURLINGTON, VT - Yesterday, Democracy for America (DFA) endorsed Tonya Payne for City Council of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - making her a member of the DFA-List, Candidates for America. Each DFA-List candidate encompasses the true spirit of grassroots democracy, fiscal responsibility, and social progress. They are individuals who are dedicated to changing America from the ground up.

"Tonya Payne's platform for reform is one that truly empowers all citizens," said Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America. "Her dedication to promoting racial unity, basic services and making Pittsburgh a more livable city reflects her commitment to changing our country from the ground up. We are proud to include her in our DFA-List."

"Running for reform," words that Tonya Payne has taken to heart. A longtime Meetup attendee, she ran against an entrenched incumbent on the City Council - and won. Now, Tonya, a first-time candidate, is running on a platform for reform, with a focus on the economy. She won the primary and is now determined to bring fiscal responsibility to the Pittsburgh City Council. She has also received an endorsement from DFA-Pittsburgh. The election is November 8, 2005.
www.tonyapayneforcouncil.com

Democracy for America is taking our country back from the special interests who dominate government today and putting it back in the hands of the people. DFA and DFA-List candidates are spreading the message that to change America, we must fight from the ground up. Democracy for America is dedicated to electing fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates to all levels of office - from school board to the United States Senate. To learn more about other DFA-List candidates, visit: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/dfa-list/.

Democracy for America Endorses Julian Castro

Released: May 25, 2005 1:00 PM

Candidate for Mayor of San Antonio, Texas

BURLINGTON, VT - Yesterday, Democracy for America (DFA) endorsed Julian Castro for Mayor of San Antonio, Texas - making him a member of the DFA-List, Candidates for America. Each DFA-List candidate encompasses the true spirit of grassroots democracy, fiscal responsibility, and social progress. They are individuals who are dedicated to changing America from the ground up.

"Julian Castro's focus on ethics reform, safer streets and cleaner communities shows his commitment to fiscal responsibility and social progress," said Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America. "His record of leadership is one worth following and we are proud to have him as part of our DFA-List."

Julian Castro is dedicated to San Antonio and has the record to prove it. After being raised by his single mother, Julian was admitted to Stanford University where he earned dual degrees in political science and communications. He then went on to graduate with honors and earn a degree from Harvard Law School. But instead of leaving Texas forever, Julian returned to San Antonio, serving on the City Council and pushing through reforms on ethics and crime - while working to attract new jobs to the city.
The election is June 7, 2005.
www.castroformayor.com

Democracy for America is taking our country back from the special interests who dominate government today and putting it back in the hands of the people. DFA and DFA-List candidates are spreading the message that to change America, we must fight from the ground up. Democracy for America is dedicated to electing fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates to all levels of office - from school board to the United States Senate. To learn more about other DFA-List candidates, visit: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/dfa-list/.

Vermont House Parties for Health Care

Released: May 11, 2005 5:12 PM

Features Conference Call with Rep. Gaye Symington and Sen. Peter Welch

BURLINGTON, VT - Tomorrow, twenty-two "House Parties for Health Care" will take place throughout the Green Mountain state. They will feature a conference call with Rep. Gaye Symington, Speaker of the House, and Sen. Peter Welch, President Pro Tempore, to discuss what is happening with the various health care reform bills and proposals, and how local activists can get involved. The house parties are co-hosted by Democracy for America (DFA), TrueMajorityACTION, VPIRG and the Vermont Labor Council. For more information, visit: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/housecall/.

Rep. Symington and Sen. Welch will conduct the conference call live from a house party in Montpelier, VT, located at 4 Pinewood Road. The house party will start at 8:00pm and the conference call at 8:30pm.

"Access to quality health care is a right, not a privilege," said Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America. "The DFA community supports the legislators of Vermont who are fighting to reform the state's health care system to be both fiscally responsible and socially progressive because we believe that every man, woman and child is entitled to a healthy life."

"Our members want everyone to have access to the same high quality health care," said Ben Cohen, founder of TrueMajorityACTION. "And we're working to make that happen beginning right here in Vermont." TrueMajorityACTION is a national online activist group started by Ben & Jerry's ice cream co-founder Ben Cohen. Along with its sister group, TrueMajority, the progressive organization counts 600,000 members nationwide.

"Thousands of Vermonters lack basic health care coverage or are in jeopardy of losing their insurance. While some politicians have responded to this by putting blinders on, others are demonstrating real vision by supporting a plan to solve the problem. These house parties are one more way for the citizens of the state to encourage bold leadership at a time when it is critically important," said Paul Burns, Executive Director of VPIRG. VPIRG is the largest non-partisan consumer and environmental advocacy organization in Vermont with approximately 20,000 members

Democracy for America is a political action committee dedicated to building a grassroots network of fiscally responsible and socially progressive activists and candidates running for all levels of office. Through the use of grassroots tactics, coalition building strategies, activist trainings and on-line support, DFA is giving ordinary people the power to reform their own political system.

Democracy for America To Unveil Tom DeLay Billboards

Released: May 2, 2005 5:09 PM

Billboards Hit Houston and Galveston County Tuesday

BURLINGTON, VT - Tomorrow, Democracy for America (DFA) will unveil two billboards highlighting House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's questionable dealings with lobbyists and alleged ethics violations. The billboards, located in Houston and Galveston County, will be displayed through the month of May.

"The alleged ethics violations that surround Tom DeLay are a disgrace to the integrity of America's political system," said Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America. "These billboards send the message that Americans and the voters of Texas are sick of corruption and special interests dominating our political system and public officials."

The billboards were part of a month long campaign in which DFA activists submitted over 20,000 slogans and suggestions and voted on their favorite - the winner: "Lobbyists sent Tom DeLay golfing; all you got was this billboard."

They are located at the base of 2117 Chenevert Street and Gray Street in downtown Houston and the northwest corner of Interstate 45 South and Vauthier Road in Galveston County.

The unveiling of both billboards will be complemented by a visibility event with local Texas activists and Democracy for Houston.

Democracy for America, which was founded by Governor Howard Dean in March 2004, is a political action committee dedicated to building a grassroots network of socially progressive and fiscally responsible activists and candidates running for all levels of office. Through the use of grassroots tactics, coalition building strategies, activist trainings and on-line support, DFA is giving ordinary people the power to reform their own political system. www.DemocracyforAmerica.com