I'm returning to some level of presence here, as my highly limited time permits. Part of what brings me back is the fact that among the many women who have been motivated to run for office is an old friend of mine; Tobi Beck. She's taking on a fairly safe Republican incumbent in Indiana's fourth congressional district.
I know Tobi from about fifteen years ago, in San Jose. The bio on her website (www.beck4indiana.org) is honest - it represents the person I know, and to my mind the sort of person we need in congress. What it doesn't mention is that she had a knack for organizing volunteers to work - not only knowing what needed to be done, but digging in and working herself in a way that made everyone strive to keep up.
I don't agree with Tobi on every issue - I don't know that I agree with anyone on everything. Having argued with her about some of them, though, I know she listens and learns when appropriate - and I know she has presented her arguments in a way that caused me to change my mind - something that will prove a useful skill should she win.
Indiana's fourth district is viewed as safely republican, which might cause some to dismiss this candidacy. I think we should be making the current occupants of congress doubt that any seat is safely republican - by their actions and inactions, they've proven themselves unworthy to represent Americans.
Tobi is the kind of person who does not back down from a fight because the odds are against her. I'm supporting her, both financially and as my time permits. Anyone here who has time or money to throw her way is encouraged to do so.
Another old acquaintance has started a sort of "march followup" theme on Facebook - challenging people to back the women's march by donating to some of the women running for office. I'm spreading that here.
So - in your own diaries or in the comments - do we have a list of candidates that we should be pushing? In a less than perfect world, I'd at least like to see every republican incumbent playing defense in this cycle and am back on DKos in part to find people to support.