This seems a bit odd to say, considering that I have been actively blogging for a year and a half. But nice to meet all of you.
I've known you all through my on screen monkier, "wmtriallawyer". But today, I'm stepping away from that name so you can see who I am...because of my run for office.
This is somewhat tough for me, considering my hesistancy to give up that all elusive anonymity that many of us crave. But I told myself, and I told you, that I would give it up because of my run for office. Primarily because I wouldn't have reengaged myself in the political process if I had not first engaged myself in the netroots.
For better or worse, here I am. Feel free to look around my website, get to know me, and see what's at stake in my race.
Many of you have already asked, in previous diaries about my run, how you can help. Well, now is the time for the candidate to hit you up for that help. Let's start with the obvious first:
1. Donations : Yes, the big bad D-word. I need cash, and I'm not afraid to admit it. Frankly, I'm running a high profile campaign in a low profile race. Traditionally, Central Committee races in my county have been extremely low profile. It's the last office to vote for on the September primary ballot. Alphabetically, I'm DEAD LAST on the ballot as a whole. The going theory is that with 3 slots for CC open in my district, and with 6 candidates in the race, voters will simply check off the first three names they see. Obviously, that leaves me out in the cold.
Part of what I and others will be doing is raising the profile of Central Committee this year, and have rank and file Democrats understand the importance of the race. After all, it's the only race on the ballot that directly affects the direction of the Democratic Party in our county. And after what can only be termed as a pretty bad press week for Democrats in our county, we need to reinvigorate the party badly.
So, yes, I need money to produce pieces of literature, visibility instruments such as signs and stickers, and to pay for things such as my website. I'm not paying for consultants or TV ads, so my needs are modest, but they are still there. If you are looking to give at a certain level, consider $35. I turn 35 in a couple of weeks, and I'm doing a "Drive to 35" fundraising effort to get my campaign moving. I figure if 100 Kossacks can give my 35 bucks, I'll be well on my way. In fact, if I budget right, it might be all I need.
A couple of caveats. First, if you are planning to give me more than $100 (and thank you very much if you are!), DON'T do it through my website. Under Maryland campaign finance law, the max that can be contributed via credit card is $100 a transaction. Therefore, consider sending a check to my campaign finance committee listed on the website. Or do seperate transactions.
Second, I don't want folks scrambling to scrape their pennies together, or cashing in their paycheck to give me a donation. If you've got a few sawbucks laying around that you want to give me, thanks a bunch. If not, don't stretch to pay me. Taking care of yourself comes first. I only say this because I've already heard this from a few people who want to help. And my message is take care of yourself first...if you can't afford it, I'll be OK.
2 Volunteers : This is a netroots-inspired and people-powered campaign. Therefore, if you live in Maryland, or the greater D.C. area (and you know who you are...there's a A LOT of you, let's face it), then you can help me out. Sign up as a volunteer on my website. We'll be doing canvassing of my district starting in late July and throughout August. If you have time to come help me knock doors in my county, I can use the help.
However, even if you aren't anywhere near Maryland or D.C., you can help me out. We are going to need people to make some calls around Election Day to remind them who to vote for. If you've got a cell phone with free minutes on the weekend and don't mind taking a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday in early September to do some voter contact, by all means sign up.
3. Word of mouth : Much like volunteering, if you know of like-minded Democrats who live in the D.C. area who might want to volunteer...or if you know of friends who actually live in Anne Arundel County...spread the word. I'm not the only one running who could use your help. There's quite of few of us in each district who are looking to revitalize the party. Let people know...we're looking to make a change.
I guess that's it. Thanks so much to all of you for giving me the courage to make this run. And thanks for your encouragement along the way. I'll continue blogging, but I'm sure somehow it will be a little bit different now.
Just remember my platform:
CONNECT THE PARTY.
TRAIN THE PARTY.
GROW THE PARTY.
Hmmm...C...T...G. Sound familiar?
UPDATE: My diary has been up less than an hour, and already I've got $100 dollars in the bank. Thanks so much everyone! What a tremendous help.
UPDATE II: If you are still in the giving mood and want to help out one my friends running for CC in another district, please click here. Thanks.
UPDATE III: Outstanding...we've broken the $200 mark! That pays for the website and gets me started on some literature to distribute. Also, over 600 site hits since I posted. Thanks so much. Now if I can just get a few more volunteers...
UPDATE IV: Over $400 raised and over 1200 site hits. Y'all are amazing.