The big news from this week is that the 1st CD is on the list! The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Red to Blue list that is. The announcement included 18 specific candidates and 18 districts throughout the country (without naming a specific candidate). The 1st is likely to be the only competitive congressional race in our state this year and this is great recognition that a win here is critical to Democrats regaining control of the House.
Like many of you, I had big plans this week that were thwarted by the snow. But I did get up to Whatcom County on Monday to attend their Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. What a wonderful event! The colorful Kulshan Choir sang throughout the program and speakers from government, labor, and human services spoke to Dr. King’s dream.
What most sticks with me is the question posed by one speaker: how can we truly have life without access to health care? Driving home, I took this further. How can we truly have liberty without access to a high quality public education? And we currently deny the pursuit of happiness to those who are not allowed to marry the person they love.
Those issues are at the core of my campaign for Congress.
I was heartened this week to see so many celebrations of Dr. King’s life remind us all of his focus not just on civil rights, but on economic justice. The Poor People’s Campaign was not something separate, but Phase 2. We owe it to those who came before, those who struggle today, and to our children to breathe new life into the fight for economic justice and to bring the American Dream within reach once again.
I’m going to Congress to fight to preserve Medicare and Social Security, protect the environment, champion a woman’s right to choose and everyone’s right to marry the person they love, and create jobs that support middle class families.
Endorsements - thank you to the local leaders who have endorsed our campaign: Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick, Kirkland City Councilwomen Amy Walen & Penny Sweet, Mill Creek City Councilman Bart Masterson, Pat Vache & Kim Allen from the Redmond City Council, Scott Hageman from Woodinville, and hundreds of other individuals. Add your name to the list.
This campaign is about people. It’s about reconnecting people and their elected officials so that we can get our government working again. It’s about making sure that people on every rung of the financial ladder can look up and know that they have a shot of getting to the next rung. It’s about people knowing that they can marry the person they love. And it’s about people trusting that their kids can get the best education possible at the local public school.
Call to action - If you live in the current boundaries of either the 39th legislative district or the 10th legislative district, please try to attend their meetings this Saturday. They will be doing endorsements and I would appreciate your vote. Email me for details.
Now that the field is set, that opportunity is upon us. I am running in what’s being called the most competitive swing seat for Congress in 2012. A seat that is crucial to the Democrats’ hope of retaking the House of Representatives.
I’ve done this before. In 1998, I won a legislative seat in a Republican district. I championed laws to protect your privacy, to protect seniors and children from abuse, and to improve health care for women and families. Now I am a working mom who understands the struggles of everyday life.
Your decision to get involved either by contributing or signing up to volunteer (or both!) is the most important factor in who will be our next congressional representative.
As always, please feel free to reply (the messages come straight to me) or call my cell phone at 425-445-0970.