To date I have raised about $5000 for House and Senate races by nagging you all here at dKos and a few other places. The last time I plugged this particular effort I only got one donation, though it was for $100. Let's push hard on this one and we have a real shot at big wins Nov. 6th.
In some election years I believe a good defense is a strong offense. That is the approach I took in 2006 and 2008. In 2010 I took the opposite approach...I played defense. I believe this year will be more like 2006 and 2008, though I think we have to work harder at it.
Taking the more optimistic view of this year's election I want to highlight some very close, very important races in key states that currently lean Repub but which we have a shot at flipping into the Blue.
Help me fight for a strong Democratic showing this November!
We need people to come together and support the candidates and causes that strengthen our democracy. Your support is vital to our success -- take this opportunity and donate today.
Cut to the chase and donate (be the second!) to an aggressive pro-Democrat, pro-America strategy for November. Or see below for more detail.
I am updating somewhat from my last diary of this effort.
I begin in that key swing state of New Hampshire.
Maggie Hassan
NH-Gov
Maggie Hassan is our candidate for Governor of New Hampshire. This is one of two hotly contested gubernatorial races this year. Right now this race seems static with the Repub slightly ahead. We need a good solid push to slip it into our category and pushing here also helps win two House races and the Presidency because it means more GOTV in New Hampshire.
We can see in the cases of Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, etc. the horrible damage Repub Governors can do to workers' rights, women's rights and gay rights. And Mitt Romney himself shows us that even supposedly "moderate" Repubs are catching the Teabagger Nutcase Bug in their ambition to win. We cannot let the Repubs take the Governorship in New Hampshire.
Maggie Hassan has been endorsed by the Women’s Campaign Fund, Carpenters Local 118, New Hampshire Iron Workers Local 7, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Council #35, Teamsters Local 633, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 131, United Steelworkers District 4 and many others.
Carol Shea-Porter
NH-01
This is one of the most hotly contested races in the country. NH-1 is a swing district in a swing state and weakly held Repub district. This would be a great one to win. It currently leans Repub. it has been lean Repub almost the whole time but we had not too long ago pushed it to lean Dem. I think we can win this one, taking us one step closer to winning the House. But we need to push hard for it.
Bob Lamb
NH-SD-02
A critical seat for retaking a majority in the NH State Senate!
Next I turn to Montana, a state that is way too often written off as "Red" but actually often has many chances for Dems to gain ground.
Jon Tester
MT-Sen
A Blue Dog but a good Blue Dog. He is more conservative than I like but overall he is a damned good Senator! He has been fighting an uphill battle to keep his seat. Recently things have been looking up. As of now it looks like we can keep this seat, which is good news. But let's make sure we keep it. This is a key race this year and deserves our attention. It has swung back and forth between lean Repub and lean Dem, so we can't take for granted it will stay in our corner.
Steve Bullock
MT-Gov
Steve Bullock is our candidate for Governor of Montana. Along with New Hampshire (above) this is one of two hotly contested gubernatorial races this year. This started as lean Repub but we pushed it to lean Dem for awhile. It has now slipped back to lean Repub, but it really is a tossup given how it has swung back and forth. Push hard in Montana for both the Senate and Governorship.
Again, we can see in the cases of Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, etc. the horrible damage Repub Governors can do to workers' rights, women's rights and gay rights. And Mitt Romney himself shows us that even supposedly "moderate" Repubs are catching the Teabagger Nutcase Bug in their ambition to win. We cannot let the Repubs take the Governorship in New Hampshire.
Next is my number one House race that I want to win: IA-4.
Christie Vilsack
IA-04
This is one of the most critical races in 2012. A key swing district in a key swing state, this race also pits the excellent Christie Vilsack against Teabagger extremist Steven King who is so mean spirited he even was one of only eleven Congressmen (all Republicans) who voted AGAINST giving aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. This is a clear cut choice between Vilsack's effective and compassionate leadership and King's disgusting right wing extremism.
Now I turn to another swing state: Nevada. This is a state I think we are doing better than expected in because of the traditional under polling of the Latino vote. But we can't take ANYTHING for granted.
Shelley Berkley
NV-Sen
Something of a longshot but worth fighting for. Plus Nevada is a swing state so pushing it Bluer is a worthy goal. I have been reading some analyses that indicate Latino voters (who break very Dem these days, for obvious reasons) are being under polled and so this could be a surprise win if the Latino vote is strong. Either way, if we want to win this one we have to work extra hard.
John Oceguera
NV-03
NV-3 is another critical swing district this year and this is a very weak Repub seat. Currently this does lean Repub and may be a long shot, but with some real effort, John Oceguera has a shot at winning. He is a firefighter and paramedic, someone we definitely could use in Congress!
Steven Horsford
NV-04
This one has been off my radar, but if anything looks more promising than NV-3 at this moment. We have a better shot of winning this seat than NV-3 I think.
Next comes a hot House race in Massachusetts:
John Tierney
MA-06
This is a close House race in Massachusetts. Holding onto this seat helps us in Congress. It leans Repub right now but we are going to fix that, aren't we? Give a little bit to hold onto this seat!
Now I want to highlight three House races in that supreme swing state of Wisconsin:
Rob Zerban
WI-01
Rob Zerban is running for Paul Ryan's own seat. I say let's fight the right on their own territory. If we can give Ryan a run for his (ample) money right in his own district it will send a clear message how sick America is of his extremist views. This is a long shot but it brings the battle for Wisconsin into their turf and that is a good thing!
Pat Kreitlow
WI-07
This is a key House race. This is a real chance to pick up a House seat from the Republicans. But right now it leans Repub. Again, that has GOT to change and we can do it.
Patrick Kreitlow has been endorsed by the Intl. Association of Firefighters, Steelworkers Union, National Farmers Union, NARAL Pro-Choice America Intl. Brotherhood of Teamsters, AFL-CIO, League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood Action Fund Sierra Club, United Auto Workers, WI Federation of Nurses, and WI Alliance for Retired American, among others.
Jamie Wall
WI-08
This is another pick up opportunity for Democrats in the House. This one is trending away from us but we can still turn it around.
Jamie Wall has been endorsed by Green Bay Firefighters, the Alliance of Retired Americans, the Teamsters, Human Rights Campaign, American Federation of Teachers- Wisconsin, American Nurses Association, United Auto Workers, and many others.
One from Pennsylvania:
Kathryn Boockvar
PA-08
Kathryn Boockvar is running for Congress in the PA-8 district. Currently this races leans Repub but we can change that. Boockvar has been endorsed by Democracy for America, United Steel Workers, United Mine Workers of America, Planned Parenthood, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Clean Water Action, and many more.
One from Illinois:
David Gill
IL-13
This is another very close race and an important pick up opportunity for Democrats. It leans Repub so we need to work for this one.
Dr. David Gill has been endorsed by the United Auto Workers, AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Sierra Club, United Mine Workers of America, Democracy for America, Progressive Democrats of America, National Nurses United, and many others. He is a true progressive and would be VERY valuable to have in Congress.
Two from Ohio:
Charlie Wilson
OH-06
One of the most critical districts in the country...the Presidency and the House could ride on this one district. It is considered a weak Repub hold but we can knock that out.
Charlie Wilson has been endorsed by International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Iron Workers (IPAL), Building and Construction Trades - AFL-CIO, International Association of Machinists, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Steel Workers and many others.
Betty Sue Sutton
OH-16
A critical swing district in Ohio. It is considered a weak Repub hold but we can win if we try. Right now this one is swinging our way and may well be leaning Dem since the last time I wrote about it. Let's push it solidly into the blue!
Betty Sue Sutton has been endorsed by Democarcy for America, Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters, Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council C.O.P.E., Tri-County Regional Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Fraternal Order of Police, Districts 1 & 8, Coalition of Women Voters, North Shore AFL-CIO, and many others.
A handful of California races (including some interesting local races):
Jose Hernandez
CA-10
Jose Hernandez is a former astronaut running for Congress against a right wing extremist. What more could you want?? Weakly held Repub district but it seems to be holding there right now. But a good wave of Latino votes and a stronger than expected showing for Obama could well win this for us. Worth fighting for!
Raul Ruiz
CA-36
This one had been off my radar but is looking promising, though it still leans Repub. It seems to be trending more our way and again may benefit from a stronger thab expected Latino vote. When I see a district shifting like this, I want to keep pushing. Plus Raul Ruiz has been endorsed by Democracy for America. Son of a farmworker who worked his way up to become a doctor. This is a true success story and someone we want in Congress.
Mark A Orozco
CA-HD-42
Orozco is endorsed by Democracy for America. I am not following downticket races so closely, so don't know what the polls show. But worth including such a good candidate on any list.
Shirley Weber
CA-HD-79
Weber is endorsed by Democracy for America. Again, I am not following downticket races so closely, so don't know what the polls show. But again, it is worth including such a good candidate on any list.
And, finally, three New York races:
Mark Murphy
NY-11
I know this district pretty well and have helped candidates there in the past. This has been a traditionally Republican district that has slowly trended Dem...though conservative Dem. It still leans Repub but it is a weak hold for them and the Repub incumbent has run into many scandals. So I think we have a shot at it since Repub scandals are what made this a possible Dem district in the first place. Plus the Democrats in the Brooklyn end of this district have suddenly gotten more unified and eager to prove their worth. So there may be a push for the first time from the Brooklyn end to win this one. I know of several local clubs that are putting some effort into GOTV on this one and that kind of ground game can make a big difference in this district.
Sean Patrick Maloney
NY-18
I have met Sean Patrick Maloney and liked him a few years back when he ran for AG. He is running against right wing nut job Nan Hayworth. It leans Repub but things have been picking up. Maloney is a charismatic, inspiring candidate and has been endorsed by Democracy for America, NYS AFL-CIO, United Auto Workers Region 9A, New York State United Teachers, and many others.
Julian Schreibman
NY-19
This one has been off my radar but we have a shot at it. NY State as a whole has been trending Dem for years (ironically upstate more than Brooklyn, which has trended more Repub!). So this race should be part of that trend.
Please donate to a strong win for Dems in November. All these races are close and worth a big push right about now.