The first contested Congressional race in 2006 will take place on April 11th in San Diego County - the seat formerly held by convicted felon Randy "Duke" Cunningham.
My name is Francine Busby and I am the progressive, grassroots candidate in this race.
I ran in 2004 against Duke Cunningham because I couldn't take it anymore. I was so frustrated that I didn't hear anyone speaking out for a change in the direction of this country. I went to a few meetings to find out who was running against Cunningham so I could offer to help "their" campaign. I was shocked to find out that no one was running and the party just wanted a name to put on the ballot. After three meetings, I told local Democrats that I wasn't running to be a name on the ballot, I was running to win. When I went home and told my husband I was running against Cunningham, he laughed.
There are 22 days until the April 11th election and no one is laughing now.
The campaign that started in my kitchen three years ago is now the hottest congressional race in the country. We have the support of the DCCC, Emily's List, MoveOn.org, Democracy for America and many others. I have spent 20 painful hours a week for the last eight months calling potential donors. We've now raised $1.1 million dollars from over 7000 donors. We have knocked on over 54,000 doors. We have called over 100,000 voters. This campaign is real and we will win because people in the 50th are ready for change.
This race isn't about me; it is about changing the direction of this country. It's one step toward new leadership in the House and our government.
Our victory will also send a powerful message for change across this country. It will send a message to progressives in "red" districts that we can win anywhere in America and that the first part of winning is showing up and fighting. I want grassroots candidates in "red" districts across the country to see what can happen if they're willing to step up and run. Don't listen when people say you can't win - even if they are laughing.
I'm doing everything I can to bring change to the 50th District and inspire change around the country. Please join me. We still need to raise another $100,000 to fulfill our GOTV efforts.
Absentee ballots go out this week and every single dollar we raise online will go directly into our aggressive absentee ballot program. Thank you for all you do and I hope you will join me. We can change the way Washington works and change the direction of the country.
- Francine
www.busbyforcongress.org
Look for a polling update from my campaign in the next couple of days.