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Friday, September 24, 2010

Progressive Candidates in Pennsylvania

Here are some excellent candidates running for office in Pennsylvania. More local (and under-reported) races are at the bottom. Congress at the top.


THREE AMERICAN VETERANS RUNNING FOR OFFICE IN PENNSYLVANIA: Joe Sestak, Bryan Lentz and Manan Trivedi are three proud veterans who are running for office in Pennsylvania. They deserve your consideration.

JOE SESTAK FOR SENATE:

Joe Sestak, Veteran and Progressive, is one of the brightest rising stars in American politics. From Joe's website:

During a distinguished 31-year career in the United States Navy, Joe attained the rank of 3-star Admiral and served in the White House, Pentagon, and in operational commands at sea. He is the senior military veteran, and the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to either branch of Congress. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and later earned a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. After retiring from the Navy, Joe returned home to Delaware County, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Susan, and daughter, Alex, and proudly represents the 7th District, where his mom and many of his seven siblings still reside...

Joe is running for Senate because he believes we must restore the promise to our children that they will have the opportunity based upon their talents to do even better than their parents. People in powerful positions have forgotten that the great American Dream is not about getting ahead, but rather creating a better America for the next generation and inspiring them to do the same. For the first time in history, that great compact between today’s and tomorrow’s generation has been broken. Joe believes we must restore hard work, honesty, and accountability to Washington DC to address the challenges we face and during his short time in Congress, he has delivered.

Since taking office in 2006, Joe has been named the most productive member in his legislative class. He is one of the few representatives to serve on three committees, serving as Vice Chair of the Small Business Committee, and a member of the Committee on Education and Labor and the Armed Services Committee. In the current Congress he has had more of his bills pass than either of the state’s two Senators, and is among the top five members of Congress in the number of bills and resolutions he has co-sponsored – a record of achievement that is unsurpassed in the entire Pennsylvania delegation, House and Senate. At home in Pennsylvania, his district office has handled almost 15,000 constituent cases over the past two and a half years – four times the Congressional average – and his staff has helped more than 820 of his constituents avoid foreclosure on their homes.


Some Videos from Sestak's Campaign:

Democrats Value People:



D-Day and the "it" that makes America Great:



Sestak on Don't Ask Don't Tell:



I urge you to visit Joe Sestak's website and do what you can, either as a volunteer and/or donor, to help elect this excellent gentleman to the Senate.


Manan Trivedi for Congress (PA-6)

Manan Trivedi is a physician, healthcare reform advocate, Naval Officer and Iraq War Veteran who is running for Congress. Here are some videos from Lt. Commander Trivedi's campaign:







Visit Trivedi's website to find out more and to volunteer or donate towards getting this Veteran and healthcare advocate elected to Congress.


Bryan Lentz for Congress (PA-7)

Bryan Lentz is a former Airborne Ranger with the 82nd Airborne who has been awarded the War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Bronze Star for Service. From Bryan Lentz's website:

Bryan’s overseas assignments include the war in Iraq, tours with Multi-National Force and Observers, and NATO peacekeeping missions in the Sinai Peninsula and Bosnia. Bryan held several leadership positions throughout his service. He commanded two rifle platoons and an 81mm mortar platoon while in the 82nd Airborne Division. In Bosnia, Bryan oversaw millions of dollars in infrastructure development, including the first-ever Russian-Romanian-Muslim-Serbian joint bridge. In Iraq, Lentz commanded a Civil Affairs Unit responsible for rebuilding infrastructure and developing civil governance in the northern city of Mosul.




Help elect Brian Lentz to Congress. Visit his website to see how to volunteer or contribute.


LOCAL RACES

Progressive Majority is an organization with an excellent track record of helping good, progressive candidates get elected. They have about a 50% success rate in getting candidates elected year after year. For an organization focused on electing progressive candidates, many of whom are challengers going up against incumbents, that is a damned good track record.

Here is a list of excellent candidates endorsed by Progressive Majority in Pennsylvania:

Bill Wallace
Candidate for State Senate - District 24 (Challenger)
Northhampton County



Bill Wallace is a dynamic progressive and public school teacher running in a tough swing district. Bill has been a Democratic a committee person for 20 years and was endorsed by Progressive Majority when he ran for county council in 2007. He is running against an ultra conservative who won a special election last Sept with only 5% turnout. He has strong union endorsements and has been endorsed by the mayors of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. His race is a Pennsylvania bellwether, pitting one of the most conservative senators against one of the most progressive challengers in a highly contested district.

Bill Wallace has also been endorsed by:
AFL-CIO
SEIU
UFCW Local 1776
Iron workers Local 401
Sheet metal Workers Local 19
Easton Area Education Association
Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 5
Lehigh Valley Labor Council
Lehigh Building Trades Council
IBEW Local 102
Steamfitters Local 420
Lehigh Valley Carpenters Local 600
IUPAT District 21
Carpenters PAC of Philadelphia
IBEW-COPE
Progressive Majority
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen-Teamsters Rail Conference

Among others.

Click here to support and learn more about Bill.

Tonya Payne
Candidate for State House - District 19 (Challenger)
Pittsburgh



Tonya Payne is a progressive member of the Pittsburgh City Council who is running for state House. Tonya has been an active community organizer most of her professional life, and she is committed to fighting for social justice in her community and her state. Tonya has worked to secure over $6 million of funding for community development projects in the past four years. Tonya has won the endorsement of the Democratic Party and, if elected, will help strengthen progressive representation in the PA House.

Click here to support and learn more about Tonya.

Tim Kearney
Candidate for State House - District 172 (Challenger)
Philadelphia





Tim Kearney is a community organizer, working to increase affordable housing, establish single payer health care and organize senior citizens. Tim is committed to ending poverty and promoting social justice. Tim's campaign has been focused, therefore, on helping average citizens. The current Republican incumbent has been indicted for campaign finance fraud, but is still running for re-election. This race presents an important opportunity to pick up a seat.

Click here to support and learn more about Tim.

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