Democracy for America Provides the Momentum for Democratic Victories

Released: Nov 8, 2006 9:28 AM

Burlington, VT — Democracy for America played a crucial role in the progressive surge at every level of office across the country yesterday.

Mobilizing over 37,000 volunteers in 422 congressional districts, Democracy for America invigorated the get-out-the-vote effort and fundraising for successful candidates like Jon Tester, Jim Webb, Ty Harrell, Sheldon Whitehouse, Sherrod Brown, Kirsten Gillibrand and Jennifer Brunner. Democracy for America raised and contributed over $544,000 to strong progressive candidates.

"It's such a great feeling to see how all of our hard work has paid off with real results," said Democracy for America chair Jim Dean. "DFA continues to build infrastructure for the long-term progressive majority by building membership, training and supporting candidates who will work for the common good. Today DFA celebrates the voice of the American voter and our ability to take our country back."

Our many electoral victories include:

• One of the fifty two Congressional seats in California switched hands. DFA Grassroots All-Star Jerry McNerney defeated Richard Pombo in a campaign with important implications for our environment.
• In Massachusetts, Deval Patrick swept to victory, becoming that state's first African-American governor.
• In North Carolina, DFA-List candidate Ty Harrell helped the Democrats expand their majority the state House.
• In Michigan, Democrats took over the state House for the first time since 1997 with the election of Rebekah Warren.
• In Upstate New York, 9 months after a DFA Training Academy seminar in the 20th Congressional District, Kirsten Gillibrand won her exciting race against John Sweeney.
• In the Granite State, Democracy for New Hampshire-endorsed candidates won dozens of races and took the state House for the first time since the Civil War.
• Change for Kentucky ran radio ads in the last week of the election and won an important urban County Council race.
• In Orlando, Scott Randolph won an upset against a two-term incumbent. Scott will bring experience and integrity to the state House in Tallahassee.
• There's going to be a new Secretary of State in Ohio. Jennifer Brunner won!
• In an incredibly important ballot initiative battle, South Dakota voters rejected severe restrictions on a woman's right to choose.

Democracy for America, which was founded by Howard Dean in 2004, is a political action committee dedicated to building a grassroots network of socially progressive and fiscally responsible activists running for all levels of office, from the school board to the United States Senate. DFA is empowering everyday Americans to reform their political system.

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