We're going for it!
After talking about it here on DKos with various individuals who provided much insight and help (thanks biglib and RBH), I've convinced my brother (new Kossack LayneBlack) to run for the congressional seat in Georgia's 9th district. We're currently in the process of filing the necessary FEC docs for the campaign committee and for declaring him a candidate.
But we need your help badly now. The deadline for the qualifying filing is April 28th. We have to raise the qualifying fee in order for our efforts so far to have been worthwhile. We're setting out now to raise $4,863 by the end of April 27th. This is what is required to actually get Paul on the ballot in a district with an unchallenged Republican incumbent.
Paul is my brother. He is a 26 year old Wal-Mart employee. He works in the automotive area giving oil changes. He's a regular guy living in a small town trying to make ends meet.
He's a very bright individual, interested in history, psychology (for which he studied in college), language, etc. He's the kind of guy who would give a friend the shirt off his back and wouldn't hesitate to help a stranger in need. This will be his first foray into the political arena.
The following information on the opposition was graciously provided by Kossack RBH.
Nathan Deal, the current Republican incumbent for district 10 (now 9), originally ran and was elected in 1992 as a Democrat. In 1994, while running for re-election, he promised to resign if he was to switch parties. Deal did not resign and switched parties in April of 1995. He also changed his stance for pro-choice to anti-abortion at this time. Deal has not faced a serious challenge since his flip.
Deal has a record of voting with Republicans 98% of the time.
"With more than 70 co-sponsors, Georgia Republican Rep. Nathan Deal tried to include a revocation of birthright citizenship in an immigration bill passed by the House in mid-December. GOP House leaders did not let the proposal come to a vote." (MSNBC)
It's worth noting that Bush won this district with around 75%. Make no mistake, this is a very Red area. This is where myself and my brother were born and raised. I have lived several places besides since (Texas currently), and I can say no other area I've ever lived has been as Red.
For reasons beyond me, maybe out of fear of the Redness, this seat hasn't seemed to gain much attention from those supporting a "challenge every seat" mentality. We're here to change that.
I'm asking those in the know, to help us with setting up fundraising efforts and getting the word out. We're trying to get the website up now. And I'll be posting a bio, etc. on Paul in the very, very near future. We only have 10 days to go. Can we do it?
Paul isn't ex-military like some current candidates, but having grown up with him, I can tell you he's a fighting Dem all right. I have the scars to prove it.
www.paulblackwellforcongress.com
UPDATE:
Paypal donation link:
UPDATE 2:
I was so moved by this e-mail I received after posting this diary earlier today. THIS is exactly why I'm involved in this. These kind of letters and this kind of sentiment is what makes this worthwhile. Of course the identity of the sender is not divulged. You know who you are and you have my deepest thanks.
"I am so excited to have the possibility of a Democratic representative to vote for
in November. I am so sick of not being represented in Congress.
I need much more information. How can I help? I'm retired and not rich, but I
write well and am not the least afraid of talking to groups or individuals."
To me this says it all.
Update [2006-4-19 17:32:41 by propagandism]: Updating tags and title to correct Ninth district.