Dear Kossacks:
I want you to know about a special candidate here in the midst of "red" Oklahoma.
I have worked in Oklahoma for over 25 years lobbying and organizing for every progressive imaginable. Much of the lobbying work I have done for Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club, Disabilities, Social Workers, Death Penalty, Civil Liberties has found a consistent friend and champion in State Senator Bernest Cain. Due to term limit laws Sen. Cain must vacate his seat next year. This is one of our state's most important Senate seats because of the moderate and progressive minded constituents that have given Bernest Cain the political capital to fight for the elderly, for mental health issues, and for working people--among the many other groups that have often been neglected by right wing elected officials.
I have worked with
Andrew Rice for several years on progressive advocacy issues-- particularly the protection of civil liberties for all Americans and all types of families. He moved back to Oklahoma after several years of post-9/11 advocacy work, where he fought for
government accountability in response to 9/11 and he has consistently
resisted the idea that invading Iraq was a legitimate and sane response to 9/11.
These issues were and are personal issues for Andrew because his brother David was one of the many people killed on Sept. 11th. This part of Andrew's political biography is important because losing his brother transformed Andrew from an everyday person who was somewhat disengaged in civic life, to an active, engaged participant in the life of our democracy. Andrew's continued drive to reform our corrupted political culture and counter the dangerous agenda of the Republican Party has prompted him to run for Sen. Cain's open State Senate seat, so he can have a vote "on the inside" for the common good and most vulnerable among us.
I cannot think of a better person to fill the big shoes of Sen. Bernest Cain. Andrew embodies the conviction, honesty and unapologetic progressive principles that we need in our state and our country. His campaign message of accountability, a commitment to the common good, and his clear stand on important progressive issues is resonating well among the very independent-minded, and unique Oklahoma voters in Senate District 46 (central Oklahoma City). This is one of the few, strong Democratic seats left in our state where the GOP has not successfully manipulated Oklahomans with false fears and divisive stereotypes.
I know your attention is pulled in many directions with the campaign season beginning to heat up, and some great progressive candidates running across the country. But I urge you to visit Andrew Rice's campaign site and learn more about his unique candidacy. I urge you to consider supporting Andrew's campaign with a $10, $15, or $25 donation as we approach the end of the fundraising quarter tonight. Andrew will undoubtedly be the target of a nasty GOP smear campaign for the principled, progressive positions he has stood up for, and continues to stand up for.
We progressives in Red States fight hard for the values we all care about, and now we have one of our own who has a great shot at representing our values in the State Senate. Join me in supporting Andrew Rice.
Onwards,
Keith Smith
http://www.oklahomalobbyist.com
keith@oklahomalobbyist.com