As a State Senator seeking to be elected to the U.S. House of Representative in Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District, I am writing to ask the Dailykos community for help and assistance. Yes, I am a Democrat and my credentials are deeply blue.
Why should you support me, let alone give me money?
Because I care about the same issues you care about. Because I wear my values on my sleeve and advocate openly about the issues most important to all of us: Peace, Social Justice and Sustainability. Because I not only care, and am willing to talk about issues and values, but I walk the talk and have a public track record of strong and effective support for these same issues. And, yes because I am electable.
The immediate help I am seeking today is of course, money. The FEC filing deadline upon which all Hawaii candidates will be judged is June 30 and it is critically important that my "numbers" look good on that date.
It is a most unfortunate reality that (to paraphrase a hero of mine) candidates are judged not on the content of their character but upon the color (and quantity) of their money - by the media and by organizations considering whom they should endorse.
"Electability" too often translates to mean, "Can he raise the money"? To date, our campaign has raised approximately $150,000 and we are projected to spend $350,000 to $500,000 in order to win the primary on September 23. And in Hawaii, especially in the 2nd CD, if a candidate can get through the primary, that person will be the next member of Congress from Hawaii.
While information pertaining to my values and track record is available on my website, http://www.garyhooser.com below are a few highlights that I hope will give you a flavor for "who I am".
I co-sponsored a resolution in the Hawaii State Senate opposing the war before the war even started and helped pass a Senate resolution this year to "bring our Hawaii National Guard Troops home".
During this past legislative session, I was one of only two Hawaii legislators (out of 76) to vote in opposition to a Bill that made electronic surveillance for local law enforcement easier to implement and also was a minority No vote on a recently passed 3 strikes law.
In the area of labor my record is clear and consistent. I recently joined Senator John Edwards in offering my public support for local hotel workers and was walking the picket lines in support of striking nurses just a few days ago. I support living wage legislation and a single payer health care system
Protecting the environment and supporting agriculture have been areas in which I have consistently introduced and passed meaningful legislation.
I support "clean elections" and have been a local advocate of campaign finance reform. Unfortunately, I still have to ask you for money today if I am going to win this race.
The Hawaii 2ndCD race will be very close. This race is all about the primary and 8 credible Democrats are competing for the open seat. Several "good democrats" are running as well as several "DINO's". If your values are liberal, progressive and green, and if you would like to help elect someone willing to fight for those values, then I ask again for your help and support today. Online donations from private individuals, subject to federal rules and guidelines may be made online at http://www.garyhooser.com
Thank you in advance to the Dailykos community for any help you are able to offer. gh