Democracy for America Endorses Illinois Congressional Candidate Mark Pera

Released: Oct 10, 2007 9:11 AM

Burlington, VT-- Earlier today the political organization founded by Howard Dean, Democracy for America (DFA), endorsed Mark Pera for Illinois’ 3^rd Congressional district in a Democratic Primary. DFA’s involvement is an indication that this contentious Primary is garnering national attention. 

Mark Pera’s challenge to Congressman Dan Lipinski is a consequence of the incumbent’s numerous votes supporting President Bush’s positions including banning stem cell research, expanding domestic wire tapping, and repeatedly voting to stay the course in Iraq.  

“We’re sending a message to Congress: You're on notice. Regardless of political party, when Congress won't represent the will of the American people, DFA will replace them with someone who will. Mark Pera is the more consistently progressive candidate in this election, so the choice is clear,” said Jim Dean, brother of Howard Dean, and currently the Chair of Democracy for America.  

Although the organization has been involved in contentious Primaries in the past, it is unusual for any organization to get involved this early. According to Dean, DFA endorsed early because the contrast between the two candidates’ backgrounds highlighted a problem that goes beyond voting records.  

“This election isn’t just about bad votes, it’s also about leadership and community. Hand-picked by the party machine to take his father’s seat in Congress, Dan Lipinski is a poster child for the culture of incumbency,” Dean added.  

Mark Pera worked his way up from the steel mills of East Chicago to the Lyons School Board to the State Attorney’s office by taking action and engaging members of the district. Pera has built a relationship with the community and many say this has proven his ability to lead. 

Area activists from Northside Democracy for America – a local group modeled after the national organization - have been supporting Mark by knocking on doors, making phone calls, and recruiting volunteers for what they call their “People-Powered Campaign”. DFA decided to offer formal support after the organization’s local membership brought this race to their attention.  

Founded by Governor Howard Dean in 2004, DFA is a political action committee dedicated to supporting progressive candidates at all levels of government -- from the school board to the presidency. DFA empowers everyday Americans to reform their political system: www.democracyforamerica.com/candidates.

DFA Chair Jim Dean & Houston City Council Member Melissa Noriega To Speak At Four Steps to Victory Tour in Texas

Released: Oct 4, 2007 9:31 AM

Building on the momentum of the 2006 electoral victories and the DFA Training Academy in March, Democracy for America (DFA) returns to Houston as a part of its national Four Steps to Victory Tour: Building a People-Powered America with Chair Jim Dean and Houston City Council Member Melissa Noriega on Thursday, October 4 at Kobain’s, 33 Waugh Drive at 6:30pm. 

Councilwoman Noriega is enthusiastically supported by members of Democracy for America Texas. The Four Steps to Victory Tour brings together the progressive activists (who are already doing amazing work in their state) and empowers them with the tools to win in 2007 and 2008. DFA Chair Jim Dean and Councilwoman Noriega are scheduled to discuss people-powered politics. 

“We're building a movement of progressive Americans working to take our country back. With a little over a year until America elects a new President, there are a lot of actions we can take right now to make victory happen. In Texas alone, we have state and local races, gubernatorial campaigns, a presidential primary and an upcoming Senate race. We have to power to get active, get connected, get smarter, and become progressive leaders,” said Democracy for America Chair Jim Dean.

Currently, DFA has trained over 10,000 activists across America leading to over 500 electoral victories at all levels of government. These DFA members will strategize at the national Four Steps to Victory Tour as it travels across the country.

Democracy for America, which was founded by Governor Howard Dean in 2004, is a political action committee dedicated to campaign training, grassroots activism and supporting progressive candidates with a backbone at all levels of government—from the school board to the presidency. DFA is empowering everyday Americans to reform their political system.

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Democracy for America Chair Jim Dean & DFA-List Candidate Gary Anderson To Speak At Four Steps To Victory Tour in Mississippi

Released: Oct 2, 2007 11:55 AM

Building on the momentum of the 2006 electoral victories and DFA Training Academy hosted by the Mississippi Democratic Party in April, Democracy for America (DFA) returns to Jackson as a part of its national Four Steps to Victory Tour: Building a People-Powered America with Chair Jim Dean and DFA-List Candidate Gary Anderson on Tuesday, October 2 at Hal and Mal’s, 200 S. Commerce Street at 7pm. 

DFA endorsed Gary Anderson for Insurance Commissioner in July and helped him raise almost $7000 which powered his primary win. The Four Steps to Victory Tour brings together the progressive activists (who are already doing amazing work in their state) and empowers them with the tools to win in 2007 and 2008. DFA Chair Jim Dean and DFA-List Candidate Gary Anderson are scheduled to discuss people-powered politics. 

“We're building a movement of progressive Americans working to take our country back. With a little over a year until America elects a new President, there are a lot of actions we can take right now to make victory happen. In Louisiana alone, we have state and local races, a gubernatorial campaign, a presidential primary and an upcoming Senate race. We have to power to get active, get connected, get smarter, and become progressive leaders,” said Democracy for America Chair Jim Dean.

Currently, DFA has trained over 10,000 activists across America leading to over 500 electoral victories at all levels of national, state and local government. These DFA members will strategize at the national Four Steps to Victory Tour as it travels the country.

Democracy for America, which was founded by Governor Howard Dean in 2004, is a political action committee dedicated to campaign training, grassroots activism and supporting progressive candidates with a backbone at all levels of government—from the school board to the presidency. DFA is empowering everyday Americans to reform their political system.  

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