Who is the excellent Democrat running in your Congressional District?

[Fireweed247]

I am looking for great peace candidates to support, making a list so folks can find who is running in their district and do whatever they can to support them. Many people do not have lots of cash, but we do have the energy and motivation to work toward a new government that supports the ideals of We the People and that really old document called the Constitution. We can make our own yard signs, write letters to the editor, run ads in the paper, go door to door and we can organize it all using the miracle of the internet.

So who is running in your district, and do they support the Constitution? Will they work for peace as hard as the others have been working for war?

[tomreedtoon]

1. I'm in Florida. We have no Democrats here.

Only people claiming to be Democrats that laugh and party in the State Legislature when the Republicans give them their marching orders. Oh, and Bill Nelson, the Hillary supporter, who claims there will be "blood on the convention floor" this year. Probably when he squeezes his bottle of gin too hard and it breaks in his hand.

[Fireweed247]

2. When is the primary?

Check out Bob Bowman and Samm Simpson, they are both excellent.

[Juche]

12. Bowman isn't running

He runs a lobbying group called "the Patriots" now that discusses progressive issues with congresspeople. Its too bad he isn't running, he would make a great congressman.

http://thepatriots.us/index.html

[tomreedtoon]

41. There was no primary in Florida. Just a Clinton cheat.

The Republicans voted Hillary as the Democratic candidate, in an illegal imitation of a primary. What are you talking about these two guys? Never heard of them. Are they a couple of those Republicans in the Florida House that pretend to be Democrats for "balance"?

[xxqqqzme]

3. CA 46th - Debbie Cook

currently the mayor of Huntington Beach. She is an environmental attorney, grass-roots activist, acknowledged expert on peak oil w/ solutions to start NOW. Restoration of he Constitution is one of her talking points.

[Fireweed247]

6. Does she have a website?

I can't find it.

[Fireweed247]

14. now I've got it

A majority of Americans believe that we should leave Iraq and many believe we should pull our troops out immediately. Any plan to bring our men and women in uniform back from Iraq safely has to be carefully considered. I have endorsed the Responsible Plan, because it takes steps to address all the issues that a withdrawal will entail: ending military action in Iraq, using diplomatic power, restoring the military, and creating a new energy policy.

My specific contribution to implementing the Responsible Plan in Congress will revolve around our energy policy and how rapid progress on energy issues is necessary for us to solve key problems of the faltering economy, jobs, national security, food, and transportation. The key to our nation’s future prosperity is reducing our consumption of fossil fuels and creating new green collar jobs in a clean energy economy.
http://debbiecookforcongress.com/

[Blue_In_AK]

4. Although there are three Dems running for Don Young's seat...

here in Alaska the very best one in my opinion is Diane Benson. She is the mother of a paraplegic Iraq veteran who had been against the war since the beginning and decided to run for Congress after he was injured during a stop loss. She is a wise, thoughtful, well-informed Native American woman, a "peace warrior," who never fails to inspire me.

Her website is here:

http://www.bensonforcongress.com/

Also Phil Munger, a Diane supporter, has a diary on Daily Kos where he talks about all the Alaska candidates for the House in detail...http://www.dailykos.com/user/Philip%20Munger

[Fireweed247]

7. Don is going down!

He is so corrupt and everyone knows it! Yet he remains extremely confident which worries me. Either he is in denial of he knows something we do not.

Dianne is clearly the best candidate, and I know she is against the war but she has not stated any action she will take to end it. Her website looks great, and she came so close last time, I think she could win it if she would taking a stronger stand and say she will support cutting the funding to the war.

[Blue_In_AK]

17. She has said it many times

in person that I've heard. She is passionate about this issue, and veterans' issues generally.

Really, her website doesn't do her justice at all. It's really quite impossible to convey through mere words the impact she has on ordinary people once they've had a chance to actually listen to her speak, and spend some time talking with her. We were so impressed in 2006 that, when no one at all gave her chance in hell, she was able to do so well, gaining 40% of the vote in this Republican state, given that Don Young had about $3 million in his campaign war chest at the time and Diane ended up running on about $200,000, all small contributions from mostly individual donors. She is really remarkable.

[Yael]

5. PA-16 needs to unseat the (R) that is planted in Washington

His challenger: http://www.slaterforcongress.com/

He was an Edwards backer.

[Fireweed247]

10. Go Slater!!

Looks like he is winning in the polls too!

Democrat Bruce Slater

“Even though we opposed the dictator and supported free elections, our troops are now a catalyst for violence. We need an immediate, planned exit - a responsible withdrawal, in a timely fashion.”

Republican Joe Pitts

Has voted to support the Bush administration on issues relating to continuing the war in Iraq one hundred eleven (111) times since 2002.

Pitts has received $1,000 in campaign contributions from Halliburton Co. PAC

Pitts has received at least $38,000 in campaign contributions from the arms and defense industry PAC’s

[rurallib]

8. Dave Loebsack - the biggest surprise of 2006

is defending his seat for the first time. Dave is as true blue as they come. His 2006 victory over 30 year congressman Jim Leach was the shocker that year.
Dave has a step-son and daughter in law who have been in and out of Iraq. Ending this war is number 1 to him.

[Fireweed247]

15. Excellent!

:applause:

[cascadiance]

42. I LOVE that he's representing Iowa City now!

The first time we've had a Democrat representing Iowa City since when I was in college there in the late 70's... I was always wondering for decades if that would ever happen!

[Juche]

9. Barry Welsh, Indiana's 6th district

http://www.barrywelsh.org/

"My Pledge
My pledge to the citizens of Indiana's 6th District

I pledge that I will always remember that The American Dream is not just about economics; it is also about ethics. We must all remember that The American Dream is about prosperity, but is also about rights, laws, and freedom."


He seems like a true progressive from his issues and my talking to him. However Indiana's 6th is very GOP. In 2004 the dem only got 28% of the vote vs Pence. However by 2006 it was up to 40%. And in Indiana either 3 or 4 GOP house members have become dems since 2006.

[Fireweed247]

16. Barry Welsh is already on the list!

:applause:

[GOPisEvil]

11. He wasn't my choice in the primary, but in the Texas 10th, we have Larry Joe Doherty.

Yeah, the Texas Justice guy from TV. I would like to rid the House of the reprehensible Michael McCaul, who is very much tied to Clear Channel since he married into the family. He is nothing but a Bush toady and he needs to go.

http://www.larryjoe.com/home/

On Iraq:
End the war in Iraq.

Larry Joe Doherty believes now is the time to get our troops out of harm’s way, because they have become caught in the middle of a foreign civil war. But even as Larry Joe is calling for the quick return of our troops, he understands that we helped create this mess and we need to take responsibility for it with a real commitment to diplomacy that will help unite the region.

Like I said, he wasn't my choice in the primary, but he's a damn sight better than McCaul.

[Fireweed247]

18. Love his stance on accountablity

and how he is using his website "Larry Joe's Accountability Watch" to illustrate the lack there of.

[Breeze54]

13. There is a new woman running against my state rethug senator in MA

She sent me a letter but I can't remember her name and I can't seem to find it online. :(

But she's a Dr. of Psychiatry and seems like a good Democratic candidate from what she told me about herself.

[Breeze54]

19. Found it! Sara Orozco (D) challenging Republican Incumbent

Needham psychologist Sara Orozco to challenge Scott Brown for Senate seat

http://www.wickedlocal.com/needham/news/x774168282

By Heather McCarron
Tue Feb 26, 2008, 10:51 AM EST

Needham Democrat Sara Orozco, announced her intention to seek the position
currently held by Wrentham Republican Sen. Scott Brown.



About Sara

http://www.saraorozco.com/aboutsara.htm

Sara Orozco is a Needham resident with twin eight-year old boys in the local public schools. Raised in Miami to Cuban-born parents, Sara is a first-generation American who came to Massachusetts thirteen years ago to pursue her dream of an academic appointment at Harvard Medical School.

With over two decades of experience in the health care field, she has proven ability to strategically plan, implement and monitor goals and outcomes for various non-profit organizations. Currently a licensed psychologist and certified business coach, Dr. Orozco runs a private practice in Needham and is the CEO and founder of her small business, Orozco and Associates, a leadership development and training firm. She is a member of the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce, the Boston Women's Networking Group, the Massachusetts Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association.

More...

-------

On her website, Orozco delineates her platform by asking questions: "Why are we paying more and more for healthcare but getting less?" and "How do we provide our kids with excellent public schools that prepare them to compete in a global economy while balancing their needs to have safe, nurturing and fun childhood experiences?"

She also makes claims, citing the importance of equal rights ("We should never allow discrimination to be written into our state Constitution.") and the necessity for environmental awareness ("And what about our environment and the responsibility our generations face to leave behind a better world than was handed to us?") as key issues in her campaign.

To these matters Orozco touts "common-sense solutions."

[LWolf]

20. I don't know anything about the Democrat

running in my district. This is considered a "safe" republican district, and while I looked regularly, I didn't find out that there WAS a democratic contender until this week, when my voter's pamphlet arrived.

There is one democratic contender for the nomination; he will be challenging Greg Walden in November.

His name is Noah Lemas. He's a local business owner who, according to the little piece in the pamphlet, wants to lessen dependence on foreign oil, develop realistic state and national health care programs, return funding to our state public ed system, and change the "special interest orientation" in Washington.

What, exactly, all that means is a mystery, since there are no specifics to say how he would do any of those things.

I don't think Walden is vulnerable, but I'll keep an eye on Lemas to see if he actually campaigns, or if he is just providing the minority an alternative to Walden on the ballot.

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. Kansas 3rd district

Dennis Moore - he's a blue dog who supports the war

Also Nancy Boyda - Kansas 2nd - another war supporter.

So count Kansas OUT.

[crimsonblue]

39. Nancy isn't a war supporter.. FYI.

Yes, she voted against redeployment from Iraq, but so did many democrats in the house and senate. She has criticized the war consistently since 2003, and she wants phased withdrawals. She has shown much chutzpah by not being afraid to speak her mind even as a freshman congresswoman. I admit she needs some more grooming, but I think she can become a true progressive, especially if we can get some more Lawrence influence into her. Now Dennis, who knows... but he is a friend of the environment and women's rights.

[Turbineguy]

22. Jay Inslee

[Greyhound]

23. Far from excellent, but it's David Wu. n/t

[warren pease]

27. Here's somebody worth looking at...

A guy named Mark Welyczko is challenging Wu in the primary. I know him slightly from the late lamented Oregon Kucinich for President organization. He was one of the area leaders in Portland and I had occasion to talk with him a few times.

Unless he's completely full of shit -- and I really doubt that -- he's EXACTLY the kind of congressman we need to obliterate the Bush wing of the democratic party and replace them with real progressives.

Wu isn't terrible, at least by the amazing new standards for pure terribleness set by the Pelosi/Reid 110th congress, but he could use a wake-up call at the very least. Mark's a good one to provide it. He's well-spoken, very progressive and absolutely committed to impeachment and/or arrest for the whole damn crime family once they're out of office.

Here's a couple of paragraphs from his web site:

According to our elected officials, warrant-less wire tapping (a clear 4th Amendment violation as well as a felony) is apparently not sufficient grounds for impeachment. Our Representatives know full well that the remedy is in Article 2, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution. To totally disregard this clause, violates their oath. Our current Congressional delegate can't pick and choose when he’s going to obey and what he wants to ignore. "Impeachment is off the table"? Not in my Constitution!

The Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, the constant Signing Statements, a Private Military on American soil, Voter Caging, Election Fraud... how can this go on?

And a few words on other issues from The Whoregonian's candidate profiles:

Q Would you support or oppose legislation that calls for immediate and complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq? If yes, what would you expect in the way of consequence in Iraq and the Middle East? If no, describe what you would like to see happen to the U.S. military presence in Iraq.

A Mark Welyczko: I will support legislation calling for a responsible, immediate and complete withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Iraq. Our Military personnel should be systematically replaced by an International Peace Keeping Force in order to help keep the region stabilized. The rebuilding of the region to at least its' pre March 2003 condition will continue to be our financial burden. Restoring the country of Iraq will be supervised be the Iraqis, thereby establishing a healthier economy and instilling National Pride. Our personal presence, in any capacity, should only be at the invitation of the Iraqi Government. U.S. Ambassadors will also reach out to the other Governments of the region with hopes of mending & promoting more positive relationships in a manner that fosters Peace. Should the international coalition be in need of our immediate assistance; a sufficient U.S. Military force must be strategically stationed in an unintimidating but practical location.


Q Do you favor universal health insurance? If so, describe your proposal. If not, how would you propose changing the health insurance and health care system, if at all?

A Mark Welyczko: I strongly endorse Universal, single payer, not-for-profit HealthCare. Upon my election I will co-sponsor H.R. 676.


Q Does the federal government have sufficient revenue to meet its needs? If so, how would you redistribute the budget, if at all. If not, describe your plan to raise more, being specific about what taxes you would increase or how you would change the tax code.

A Mark Welyczko: The Federal Government is 10 Trillion Dollars in the RED. Corporate welfare and tax breaks for the absurdly wealthy must stop immediately. Reform income taxes to a flat tax on a sliding scale ( the more income - the higher the tax % ) This will cut some of the overhead of the IRS & there is no reason that Americans should annually go through the expense and the anxiety of dealing with individual tax returns. Begin Strengthening the tax base TODAY by using environmentally friendly technologies to create millions of Green Collar Living Wage Jobs, free us from our dependence on foreign oil, curb Climate Change and considerably reduce the cost of energy. Promote a stronger economy by extending Public School beyond High School. Reduce the strain on social services by going to a Universal, Single Payer Health Care System; preferably H.R. 676. Take a look at the receipts for the 12 Billion dollars per month that we are spending on this Iraq quagmire & locate the 9 Billion Dollars in CASH that nobody seems to know what happened to...


Q Congress is considering trade agreements with several nations. Opponents say these deals, such as the North America
Free Trade Agreement, have harmed U.S. workers. Should the United States continue on this path, adopt a protectionist stance or otherwise change its trade policies?

A Mark Welyczko: We should pull out of all Trade Agreements, have international trade only with countries practicing Fair Trade and apply the necessary tariffs to imports in order to keep a competitive playing field.

Of course, since Wu has a bunch of money and the support of the party machine, he's almost certain to win -- unless enough people choose to ignore all the TV ads and associated bullshit, look at his record of sucking up to the Bushies and decide that 10 years of a faux democrat pretending to be a Portland leftie is quite enough.

That's going to have to happen all across the country or we're going to continue to watch these frauds do their best to blow off their constituents in favor of their corporate sponsors who bribe them into submission every election cycle.

Good luck. I've got to pick somebody to replace Hooley and I don't really have enough information. Any ideas?


wp

[Fireweed247]

29. He is already on the list

When is the Oregon primary?

[warren pease]

31. May 20th, because we wanted to be as irrelevant as possible...

It's all paper ballots in Oregon, though, so you can turn them in any time prior to the 20th.

I'm still looking for a good choice to take Hooley's 5th district spot. She's actually been pretty good ever since she got a serious earful at last year's town hall meetings. Impeachment, end the Iraq occupation, universal health care, stay out of Iran -- in about that order of outrage expressed by the attendees.

Inherent contempt got some mention, too, although she claimed she wasn't too familiar with it. Pissed off tutors surrounded her after the Q&A session to educate her on the concept, although that doesn't seem to have produced any positive results.

Still, I've noticed her voting record, as tracked by Project Vote Smart, has become somewhat more progressive over the past year, and I'm naive enough to think that maybe those meetings actually had something to do with it.

So naturally, since she finally seems to be moving in the right direction, she's retiring.

Maybe I'll run. I'm sure my politics would sync up perfectly with the party moderate rightists and DLC creeps who decide who they're going to throw money at.


wp

[Fireweed247]

24. Thanks everyone!!

:patriot:

[Preston120]

25. Diane Hamby NC-5

Her campaign manger convinced me. I hope to God she will replace the present Virginia Foxx.

(type-o)

[Fireweed247]

30. She sounds great-Thanks!

Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan:
I would never have voted to send your sons and daughters off to war without first knowing the facts. I could never send them to die without first being sure that history could be written in no other ink than their blood. All of the money spent on these wars and lives lost has not gotten us any closer to solving the issues in the Middle East. The people in these regions must make a decision about the kind of future they want. We cannot tell them how they should live or how they should be governed. Self governance comes with an enormous responsibility that they must decide accept. To say that we cannot leave because it will be chaos admits that our current policy is a failure. All people have a plan for their lives and we should have had a complete plan for Iraq. It is time to do something different. It is time to create a plan to get our troops home as quickly and safely as possible.
http://www.dianehambyforcongress.com/

:applause:

[Stinky The Clown]

26. Maryland 7 - Elijah Cummings

He's a lock on the seat, but still a great Dem.

[AlCzervik]

28. Bill Durston district 3 in california!!

http://www.durstonforcongress.org/about/index.html

[Fireweed247]

46. He is excellent!

:applause:

"I see a life threat in Iraq, where innocent people, including U.S. servicemen and women, are being killed every day. I see a life threat in our health care system under which Americans are not only suffering serious illness and injury, but are literally dying because of lack of access to affordable medical treatment and preventive care. And I see a life threat to our democracy, with a presidential administration that has intentionally misled the U.S. public and that has violated U.S. and international law; and a Congress that for the most part has lacked the courage to put a check on the abuse of power by the Bush Administration.

As the Representative of California’s 3rd Congressional District, I will work to bring our troops home promptly, safely, and honorably from Iraq. I will work to provide affordable health care for all Americans. And I will do everything within my power to uphold the principles upon which our country was founded and to restore government of the people, by the people, and for the people in the United States of America."

[AlCzervik]

48. he is wonderful! And you know what, last time round he didn't have name id and he still did pretty

damn good, this time round i think he may a shot and i will be working for him. The demographics are shifting around here because of the economy and the war.

[EFerrari]

32. Shirley Golub. She's on the table!

http://shirley08.com/

:woohoo:

[Fireweed247]

47. LOVE Shirley Golub!

I love how she is sitting outside of Nancy's office once a week and raising awareness of the need for accountability.
:applause:

[tavalon]

33. Jim McDermott

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/webreturn/?url=http://www.house.gov/mcdermott

[NMDemDist2]

34. the guy in my sigline, he rocks! n/t

[Fireweed247]

52. He looks so sweet and down to earth

:applause:

I am really starting to get dreamy about a new Congress. I am so sick of the shmucks that are currently running our country into the ground.

[LibDemAlways]

35. In my Calif. Congressional District a woman named

Mary Pallant is running, trying to unseat repuke rubber stamp Elton Gallegly. A more useless POS doesn't exist. She's fighting an uphill battle because Gallegly routinely pulls in 60-65% of the vote. That percentage of voters are clueless and vote against their own self-interest.

[Fireweed247]

53. Go Mary Pallant!

She is already on the list and she is awesome!
:applause:
"The people’s command should now lead, not Bush’s, the commander in chief. The US, being a representative democracy, should listen to the voice and the will of the people. Over 60% of our citizens want us to leave Iraq. Over 80% of the Iraqis want us to leave their country. It is time to bring our troops home: combat, support and private contractors. Mary wants all bases closed and turned over to the Iraqi Government and the rebuilding efforts must be turned over to the people of Iraq. We must also set aside adequate funds to rebuild what has been destroyed while calling upon the neighboring countries to be engaged and involved members of the rehabilitation process to stabilize, revitalize and formalize Iraq and its political structure.

Additionally, Mary stands in full support of the Out of Iraq Caucus. She will join with fellow caucus members once in office and be a voice and a vote to get us out of Iraq. A voice we do not have with Elton Gallegly"

[Solon]

36. My district isn't competitive for Democrats, because the Democrats and Republicans conspired to....

redraw the lines back in 1992 to make it a safely Republican district, even though, at the time, my district had a Democrat on Congress. Oh well, that's politics right? Both parties stabbing people in the back.

[Hekate]

37. Lois Capps is running for re-election here in Santa Barbara. She's an excellent Dem and a sweetheart

Wants us out of Iraq, supports health care, supports veterans. We love her.

Hekate

[crimsonblue]

38. Nancy Boyda.. KS-02.

She has needed some prodding, butI think with enough gentle nudging she can become progressive. Dennis Moore (KS-03), he's a bluedog tried and true (he's co-chair for policy). His record: a 100% NARAL rating, 92% League of Conservation Voters. Man, I love my little liberal island of Lawrence amidst the vast sea of Red extremism.

[Liberty Belle]

40. Vickie Butcher, 52nd CD in San Diego, is endorsed by PDA

for her strong stance against the war and for healthcare for all.

Vickie has even won the Medaille d' Excellence for her service on a United Nations Peacemaking Panel!

She has a tough primary race against a former Navy Seal Commander who actually worked in an interrogation facility (according to Fox News), so please donate to help Vickie, the true progressive and peace candidate, win!

www.votevickiebutcher.com

[Fireweed247]

51. Sounds great!

:applause:
"People in our community are struggling as the cost of healthcare, gas, housing and college skyrocket while jobs get outsourced overseas. Meanwhile the United States is spending hundreds of billions of dollars on a war with Iraq that even top military leaders now believe is fueling terrorism, not reducing it. There are far better ways to protect our national security and strengthen our defenses here in America.

I support bringing our troops home and investing in positive programs to help people. We need healthcare reform, better care for our wounded veterans, strong social safety nets such as Social Security, and improved fire protection for our region. I also support creation of new jobs in green, renewable energy production to halt global warming and revitalize our economy.

Please help me to represent you in Congress. I promise to hold town hall meetings often, listening to views of all people in our district. Together, we can make this vision become a reality"

[cali]

43. Representative Peter Welch D-AL VT

definitely a good guy; he'll win re-election in a walk. it's good to live in Vermont and know that all three members of our congressional delegation are pro-peace.

[rosesaylavee]

44. District 14 - Illinois. Bill Foster

He's in Congress right now on an interim basis filling the spot vacated by Hastert. He's running in November against a republican gasbag.

Anyone who has additional cash or volunteer time, please let him know:
http://www.foster08.com/

[Liberal Gramma]

45. Darcy Burner

And I hope she can unseat Dave "Green River Killer Catcher" Reichart

[satya]

49. Darcy Burner: one of the authors of "A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq"

http://burner.3cdn.net/20f4382dfab715f445_qvm6ibjk6.pdf">A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq (pdf)

She nearly beat Reichert in 2006 (CD-8 Washington State) and stands a good chance of winning this time. Reichert is very well known around here and poses as a moderate, so he gets a lot of votes based on name recognition rather than where he really stands (Dick Cheney drops by now and again to help raise money for him).

Thanks for your post and for your help in getting the word out!

edited to add link to her website: http://www.darcyburner.com">Darcy Burner website

edited again to add (from the Issues page on her website, first one):

On Upholding the Constitution:
Every member of Congress swears an oath to uphold the Constitution. I will do everything in my power to fulfill that oath. No one is above the law.

[Fireweed247]

50. Thank you!

:applause: