Hi, my name is Bruce Braley and I'm running to win an open seat race in Iowa's 1st Congressional District.
I've been asked by several members of the dKos community to introduce myself, so I'm posting here the profile I wrote for Democracy for America's Grassroots All-Star competition, where we finished in the top 10 among over 60 progressive House candidates nationwide.
My race has been targeted as one of the top pick-up opportunities in the country by many people, including several on this site (1, 2, 3). I'm running for an open seat since the incumbent and House Appropriations Committee Chair Jim Nussle is leaving to run for Governor. As of this month, 118,854 Iowans in the 1st District are registered Democrats and 103,009 are registered Republicans. The district was carried by John Kerry, Bill Clinton, Senator Tom Harkin, and is currently represented by Democrats in 8 out of 10 State Senate seats and 11 of 18 State House seats.
You can learn more about me and my race, and read over 50 news articles about the campaign on my website
www.brucebraley.com.
Please get involved with my campaign: make a contribution, participate on blogs, volunteer to get out the vote, and share your ideas. Taking back the House starts here.
My name is Bruce Braley and I've been a progressive Democrat all my life.
I'm running for Congress to change the direction of this country and be a strong voice for people who aren't being heard in Washington these days.
I'm not a professional politician. I've spent my life helping individuals and serving my community. I've been working with and for kids all my life.
I was lucky to find a soul-mate, Carolyn, who shared my passion for community service and inspires me to keep fighting for justice, even when the odds are long and the rewards seem few. She has taught me that doing what's popular isn't always right, and doing what's right isn't always popular. Carolyn gives me the courage to fight for what I know is right, and I will take that courage with me to Washington. We are the proud parents of three children, Lisa, David and Paul.
I believe that "We the People of the United States..." is the source of all power that flows from the federal government. I believe that ordinary citizens have a responsibility to hold their government accountable for its actions, and insist that it be responsive to the needs of the people. Those needs include social and economic justice, foreign and domestic peace and security, preservation of our rights and liberties, and social, economic and environmental policies that benefit all Americans and not just the privileged few.
I believe that it's time to change the culture in Washington and get back to the progressive values on which this country was founded.
I believe basic, affordable health care is a right of all Americans.
I believe we should invest in children by first fixing, then fully funding "Lots-of-Kids-Left-Behind," by providing better and more comprehensive pre-natal health care, and by improving child-care options for working parents.
I believe we need to do more to protect women, including achieving greater accountability under the Equal Pay Act and preserving the right of privacy under Roe v. Wade.
I believe we need to fight for stronger protection of our environment.
I believe we should preserve Social Security and fight against costly privatization schemes.
And finally, I'm fed up with President Bush and his administration who don't have the guts or the integrity to level with the American people about the crisis in Iraq. I haven't seen any plan to achieve a lasting peace at a reasonable cost. The President has refused to answer tough questions about the scope and duration of our involvement, in violation of the resolution that authorized him to send our forces to Iraq. I want to be your voice in Congress to get answers to these questions and bring our forces home quickly and safely.
--Bruce Braley