Hello Kossacks. My name is S.R. Sidarth, and I am the Communications Director at the Pennsylvania Democratic State Senate Campaign Committee.
(And in case you're wondering, yes, I did work on Senator Jim Webb's campaign in Virginia in 2006. I read Daily Kos off and on, but I am a first-time diarist. On a personal note, to those of you who sent supportive e-mails or wrote kind comments in diaries, thank you for helping me through a difficult period. If not for the outpouring of time and contributions from across the country, we would not enjoy a majority in the U.S. Senate today.)
So why am I here? Though the Presidential race has gotten the lion's share of the media attention, you and I know that all politics is local. Having worked here on various races, I understand that (with all apologies to my native Virginia) Pennsylvania is the ultimate swing state.
The Republicans currently enjoy a 29-21 majority in the State Senate (a 4-seat advantage, as our Lieutenant Governor is a Democrat). The odd-numbered districts are up this year, so half of the seats are in play. So now you're wondering, that's all well and good, but why do I care? I don't live in Pennsylvania.
Well, if you don't think that State Senate races matter beyond a local level, look at what Senate Republicans orchestrated in Pennsylvania after the last redistricting in 2000.
A snippet:
Because of population shifts identified in the 2000 census, Pennsylvania was slated to lose two of its 21 congressional seats in the state's redistricting effort. In 2001, the state was represented in Congress by 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats.
But the 19 new districts were drawn in such a way as to give Republicans at least a 12-to-7 advantage over Democrats, even though there were more registered Democrats in Pennsylvania than Republicans (and our voter registration edge has only continued to grow).
Ultimately the courts upheld the redistricting plan, ruling that while the partisan gerrymandering used to redraw the district lines offered an advantage to Republicans, it did not "shut out" Democrats from the political process and thus could not be held a violation of constitutional principles.
We cannot afford for our Congressional districts to be gerrymandered again in 2010. In that vein, here's how you can help in 2008-- and you guys owe me a hand :) --
- Get your friends in Pennsylvania involved in their local State Senate race. Half of the legislators involved in redistricting will be elected in 2008. Visit our website for more information.
- Help us out with a contribution via ActBlue. As all of you know, every little bit helps us knock on a few more doors or run another ad on TV. Thank you in advance.
- Spread the word online about our organization. This is the first time that Pennsylvania Democrats have developed a full-fledged campaign apparatus for State Senate races, and we want it to last beyond this cycle.
We are only 7 weeks away from witnessing a Democratic tidal wave sweep across the United States! Help us be a part of that. Thank you.