We also hosted a blogging teach in for elected officials and I was able to teach a highly respected state house rep the art of the blog. All of this led to me being able to network with politicians directly, both in my state house and with my Congressmen. Congressman Brad Miller had a scary battle with Vernon Robinson in 2006 and I certainly put my two cents in. The results being a friendship with Congressman Miller and the end of Vernon's ability to run. I filed complaints with the FEC and blogged about it, following Vernon's money and Vernon's lies. The FEC has made Vernon sign away his rights and if he chooses to run again, he will be under a microscope. Congressman Miller has said, in a speech at the Young Democrats of NC Convention in '07, "Jay is a good friend, who put the final nail in Vernon Robinson's coffin. I will keep him as a friend because I have seen what he does to his enemies."
What I am getting at is that through blogging at my personal blog, I managed to network with the right folks to become party active. I soon became the President for the Young Democrats in my County as well as the 3rd Vice Chair of my County Party. Through these experiences I quickly learned that I wanted to run for office. My dad once told me that "if I wanted to create change, I could stand outside someones window screaming and yelling but all they had to do is close the blinds. If I wanted to create change, I had to do it from the inside." He was right and now is the time.
I looked at local and state level offices. Anything I was able to run for already had a good Democrat in them. The only office I saw that I could go for was US Congress, District 6 seat, held by Howard Coble for now 24 years. So I'm going for it. I believe I can win this seat as Coble is at risk. His increase in missing votes and his voting record in general are all things in my favor.
The media here seems to love me and the story of an ordinary guy who turns politician. I am getting a lot of coverage. My netroots friends are jumping on board one by one. I am not sure that my opponent knows what a blog is. The climate for change is in the air.
My opponent has not had a real opponent since 1988 when he faced Tom Gilmore, former Agriculture head here in NC, with Gov. Jim Hunt as his campaign manager. He raised about $800,000 and lost 52-48 in a bad year for Democrats. No one has come close since, with 70-30 blowouts every election since. I have secured Gilmore's endorsement which will go a long way here in District. Gilmore believes I will win.
I would like the rest of the Netroots Community and the community here to give me a look and offer your support. My campaign website is here. My campaign blog is there too. While your there please ActBlue. Any size donation helps as I am trying to catch a huge war coffer that my opponent hasn't had to touch in a while. I have also been very active on BlueNC. Please look at my issues. Let me know what you would like to know about my views. I am glad to share.
I look forward to continued posting here. I welcome the dialog and the conversations.
I am a blogger and I am running for Congress.
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