Supporting candidates who represent progressive values, and those who are taking the fight to the GOP are crucial, and "the west" is going to be a crucial region not just in the upcoming election, but going forward as we grow the party and take back our country. I have added a new candidate to my
ActBlue page that will just help keep Oregon's Congressional caucus predominately blue, but finally put the State legislature in our hands by winning key house district races. That said though, it isn't just Oregon I have on my ActBlue page, but also another crucial Northwest race (in Washington's 8th) will be vital in changing the direction of our region, and country. So even if you are not in Oregon, you can help yourself by helping us.
(more below the fold)
First a little about the new add to my ActBlue page which is for the race in OR-HD-37.
Beverly Backa is running in one of those crucial seats in which we need to make serious efforts to take back suburban and ex-urban districts and help secure the legislature. Ousting GOP rep. Scott Bruun is one way to do that, and Beverly is a qualified candidate to do so. Her experience in the mental health and managed care fields gives her knowledge and experience to be an advocate for the sound management of health care and education while looking secure, and stabilize sound fiscal policy and funding within the state. Help Beverly help us to do that.
The center-right editorial board of The Oregonian put it this way:
Bruun is challenged by Democrat Beverly Backa and Libertarian David Akin. Backa, 45, may be the best candidate for the Legislature who does not get our endorsement in this election. She has a long and strong background in youth programs, including work at the Christie School, a mental health treatment facility.
With her work experience, Backa would be a welcome addition to a Legislature that must strengthen education and health care for Oregon children.
What The Oregonian fails to grasp of course is, that while they also laud the GOP incumbent being versed in health care issues as well, they completely ignore that the GOP control of the House, via their majority and the insane Karen Minnis (whose opponent Rob Brading we are running is also on my page and can unseat her with your help) will doom any real progress on either healthcare issues or education issues. As they themselves acknowledge, Backa is an outstnaindgly qualified person for the legislature, and by sending her to represent the 37th district instead of the GOP voting Bruun, real solutons to the issues The Oreognian admits are vital, can see the light of day.
As many here are well aware, Darcy Burner's race in Washington, my neighboring state is getting a lot of attention lately and rightly so. This one is a vital seat which will help get us a majority in Congress. This race is very much winnable and Darcy has been kicking ass (to be blunt) and the GOP is going to go all out and will be dumping huge cash and outspending us in panic to retain this seat. The polls have this one down to the wire and Darcy needs your help to fend off the smears that WILL come (that's what the GOP does). Darcy winning this seat is crucial to getting a majority in Congress and this is probably the best pick-up opportunity west of the rockies.
I urge you to vist my ActBlue page, and do what you can to help out. This newly added race for Beverly Backa the Oregon legislature, and the very winnable one in Washington's 8th both need as much help as you can give either to those two individually, or split evenly across the regional races I have targeted and as I have stated in my new sig line, it is time for us to put our money where our mouths (and keyboards) are. Are you willing to?