Democracy for America Announces the First DFA-List of 2006

Released: Jan 27, 2006 10:59 AM

BURLINGTON, VT -- Today, Democracy for America (DFA) announced the first DFA-List, Candidates for America of 2006. These candidates share DFA's values of fiscal responsibility, social progress and grassroots engagement. They are dedicated to fighting to take our country back by working for change from the ground up.

"We are excited and honored to extend these endorsements to this extraordinarily talented group of candidates," said Jim Dean, chair of Democracy for America. "These candidates truly encompass the spirit of the grassroots and have put the principles of Democracy for America into action. They are fighting to take our country back by running for office."

The DFA-List Candidates are:

Debra Shore for Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District in Cook County, Illinois. Shore, a long time DFA member in Evanston, IL, believes that we can be caring stewards of our natural resources, while also building a better, healthier community. She will work to ensure that the Chicago region has both a sound economy and a healthy ecology.
www.debrashore.org

Karen Felthauser for the Texas State House. Felthauser is a long time DFA member, Williamson County Democratic Party member, and community activist. She recently decided to take the next step and run for the Texas State House in the 52nd District. Karen will make Texas a more socially progressive state by providing quality and affordable education for all Texans, protecting and conserving the state's public lands, and ensuring that everyone has access to health care. www.karenfelthauser.com/

Ty Harrell for the North Carolina State House. Raleigh-DFA member Harrell has been fighting for Democratic ideals for years, and now he's taking his skills on the campaign trail in his bid for the North Carolina State House in the 41st District. He believes North Carolina needs a better education system and a stronger health care program. He will promote fiscal responsibility by rewarding small businesses and companies that create jobs in the state, and close the tax loopholes on companies that move their business away from North Carolina. www.votetyharrell.com/

Elesha Gayman for the Iowa House of Representatives. A member of Democracy for America-Quad Cites, Gayman is running for the Iowa House of Representatives in the 84th District. Her dedication to her community drove her into the non-profit sector as a grant writer, fundraiser and volunteer for numerous progressive organizations. Now she's running to bring new energy and responsibility to the Iowa State House. www.eleshagayman.com/

Andy Meisner is running for re-election as a State Representative in Michigan. He has been involved in the Royal Oak-DFA group since early 2004. He has fought to bring new jobs to Michigan. He will continue to promote a strong Democratic message for the state and help in the fight to take back the Michigan House in 2006. http://andymeisner.com/

Ronald Rice Jr. for West Ward Councilman of Newark, New Jersey. Rice is a member of New Jersey for Democracy and co-organizes the Essex County, NJ DFA group. In 2002 he ran for councilman-at-large and received more votes than any previous first-time candidate in the history of Newark. His campaign is about changing the culture of city politics, empowering residents through education, and community control of all city development. www.ron-rice.com/

Democracy for America is a political action committee dedicated to 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. To learn more about other DFA-List candidates, visit: www.dfalist.com.