Gov. Howard Dean and Democracy for America Endorse Twelve Candidates - "The Dean Dozen"

Released: May 26, 2004 8:40 AM

Gov. Howard Dean and Democracy for America Endorse Twelve Candidates - "The Dean Dozen"

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.

"These twelve are fighting to take our country back from the special interests," said Dean. "They are working to protect our civil liberties. They are building communities and encouraging economic growth. They are the future leaders of this country."

Two weeks ago another group of Dean Dozen candidates was announced. Within hours, candidates running for all levels of government saw the impact of 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. Jeff Smith, candidate for the U.S. House from Missouri, saw a 600% increase in Web traffic in the first 24 hours after the endorsement and has received national media interest in his 10-way primary to fill the vacant seat of Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.). This intense Web traffic led to increased donations and volunteer support.

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 to change America is important.

The Dean Dozen are:

Assemblyman Jonathan Bing for New York Assembly. Manhattan needs representatives like Jonathan Bing in Albany. That's why Howard Dean is kicking off Bing's re-election campaign with a reception in New York tonight! www.bing2004.com

Tom Potter for Mayor of Portland, Ore. On the strength of local Democracy for America volunteers in Portland, Potter won his recent 20-way primary with 41% of the vote. That's unprecedented. Now he heads into the general election. www.tomformayor.org

Alisha Thomas Morgan for Georgia General Assembly. Running for re-election, 25-year old Representative Morgan is the first African-American to serve in the General Assembly from Cobb County (home of former Congressmen Newt Gingrich and Bob Barr.) www.alishathomas.com

Kayln Free for United States Congress from Oklahoma. A member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Kayln has won the support Democracy for America because the grassroots want her to win the July 27th primary. www.freeforcongress.com

Representative Vicki Walker for Missouri State House. A 100% record on pro-union, pro-education, environmental and women's issues. www.electvickiwalker.com

Samara "Sam" Barand for United States Congress from New York. The 29th Congressional District is an open race this year. Barand is an energetic, young candidate capable of winning the seat for the Democrats. A victory will mean economic development for New York's Southern Tier. www.samaraforcongress.com

Peter Corroon for Salt Lake County, Utah Mayor. Encouraged by his cousin - Howard Dean - Corroon is running for mayor. He won the endorsement of the Salt Lake County Democratic party with 70% of the vote in April. As a fiscally responsible Democrat he is campaigning against an incumbent who runs the county like a "mini-Enron." www.votecorroon.com

Patrick McCormick for DeKalb County, Ind. Council. Inspired by the grassroots of the Dean for America campaign, McCormick has answered Howard Dean's call and is running for local office. www.mccormickfordekalb.com

Christine Cegelis for United States Congress from Illinois. Cegelis is running against Cong. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.). www.cegelisforcongress.com

Nelson Thompson for Cumberland County, N.J. Freeholder. A member of International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (District Council 711) seeks the county seat to represent the working men and women of New Jersey.

David Van Os for Texas Supreme Court. Grassroots activists are strongly behind progressive Van Os. The Texas Supreme Court is 100% Republican and it's time to take it back. www.vanosforsupremecourt.com

Don McDaniel for Georgia General Assembly. This Meetup host and co-founder of Georgia for Democracy is running a grassroots campaign in Ralph Reed's home district. Don is a first time candidate, inspired by Howard Dean to make a difference in his community. www.electdonmcdaniel.com