2008 Progressive Majority Endorsed Candidates

Corey Woods

Corey Woods is running for the non-partisan Tempe City Council. Corey ran unsuccessfully for this position in 2005 and has since become more involved in the community by serving on the City of Tempe's Transportation Commission, the Boards of Directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs, Communities in Schools, Kiwanis Club of Tempe, and Tempe Community Action Agency. This spring's election will include three city council seats and the mayor's seat, with two incumbents on the council running for reelection. Two of Corey's opponents are insurance agents who would represent the insurance lobby on the council. Corey, if elected, will be the first African American to serve on the council of Tempe.

Click here to support and learn more about Corey.

Marty Block

Marty Block is a candidate for the 78th Assembly District. He is currently elected to the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees, and previously served on the San Diego Board of Education. The 78th is currently held by a conservative, but she is term-limited out of office. This district has grown more Democratic over the years and is one of the best opportunities for a progressive victory this year. Marty would provide a strong platform for progressive issues in San Diego.

Click here to support and learn more about Marty.

Greg Pettis

Greg Pettis is a Cathedral City Councilman running for the open 80th Assembly District. Progressive Majority recruited Greg, who is openly gay, to run for this seat. The 80th is one of the two most important legislative targets in California this year, because the conservative incumbent is term-limited out of office. Demographically, the seat has been trending more and more Democratic and is ready for a progressive victory. In addition, all of the openly gay Assembly-members will be termed out in January 2009. If elected, Greg will keep a strong, openly gay voice in the lower chamber.

Click here to support and learn more about Greg.

Angela Cotera

Angela Cotera is an astrophysicist seeking office for the first time. She is running for the Senate in District 12. This district is in the fast-growing far western portion of Maricopa County and is part of our strategic plan. It includes the town of Avondale where last fall we fielded Marie Lopez Rogers in her successful race for mayor. While it is technically an open seat, ultra-conservative John Nelson, who is term-limited out of his Assembly seat, is attempting to trade seats with conservative Robert Blendu, the current Senate incumbent. In 2006, no Democrat ran for the Senate in District 12. Angela, grew up in Flagstaff. She holds a Ph.D. in applied physics from Stanford University and is a research astrophysicist for the Carl Sagan Center, SETI Institute. She has volunteered in schools for years to bring her passion for astronomy to students. She and her husband have lived in Avondale since 1991. During the 2006 elections, her frustration with elected political leaders at the local, state and national levels compelled her to run for office to change the political landscape of Arizona. Angela will provide representation to Arizona's Latino/a community as a Latina State Senator. She is running as a participating candidate under the Arizona Clean Elections law.

Click here to support and learn more about Angela.

Ted Maish

Ted Maish is a first-time candidate running for the State Senate in District 20. He is a precinct committee member and former teachers' union leader. He is challenging incumbent John Huppenthal, who is waging some of the right wing's most destructive battles. Huppenthal is one of the architects of a school voucher policy that was designed to undermine funding for public schools while providing a significant tax loophole to Arizona corporations. Legislative District 20 is one of the Democratic Party's top targets in 2008, as it is the most Democratic district in the state in which Republicans hold all three seats (two House, one Senate). Ted will bring a strong pro-labor voice to the legislature. He will also be a tireless advocate for Arizona's teachers and schoolchildren who suffer in some of the most under-funded classrooms in the country. Ted also advocates for healthcare reform to make Arizona a leader in protecting children, seniors, and working families.

Click here to support and learn more about Ted.

Shawn Hutchinson

Shawn Hutchinson is a first-time candidate and union member running for the Arizona House of Representatives. This district will have one incumbent and one conservative held open seat. For Arizona House races, the top two finishers among the two Democratic and the two Republican candidates are elected. We recruited Shawn in August 2007 when we were working with his brother-in-law, John Williams, who ran successfully for the Surprise City Council. The incumbent in Shawn's race, Rick Murphy, is a right-wing conservative who is unpopular in his own caucus. Shawn is a third generation International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) member and sits on the executive board of IBEW 640. He and his wife, a school teacher, have three daughters. He is running under Arizona's Clean Elections law.

Click here to support and learn more about Shawn.

David Scanlon

For the last 17 years, David Scanlon has served on the Pendergast School Board. He is running for the first time for the State House seat in District 12. This district is in the fast-growing far western portion of Maricopa County. In 2006, no Democrats ran in the district. David will face one of three ultra-conservative Republicans vying for the seat. He is an attorney and his wife is a public school teacher. As a school board member, David brought a stringed instrument program to the school at no taxpayer cost. Under his leadership, all schools in the district will have gymnasiums for use both during the school day and also for after school programs and summer usage. As an attorney, he has represented the elderly and people with disabilities against those who would take financial advantage. As a legislator, he will use his knowledge to tighten the law and fight to protect these very vulnerable members of our society. He is a participating Clean Elections candidate.

Click here to support and learn more about David.

Pat Fleming

Progressive Majority fielded Pat for her in her first bid for the House in District 25 in 2006 against an entrenched incumbent. While unsuccessful, Pat ran a great race and is running again, this time for an open seat. Pat is a retired member of AFGE, the federal government employees union. District 25 is a sprawling rural district that runs along much of the Mexican border where illegal crossing is occurring. Pat is retired from the Department of the Defense, where she oversaw multi-million dollars budgets. She is a Clean Elections candidate.

Click here to support and learn more about Pat.

Don Jorgensen

Don Jorgensen, Ph.D., is running for an open seat in the Arizona House of Representatives Legislative District 26. He is a small business owner who serves on the Board of the Compass Healthcare Foundation and the Tucson/Pima County Commission on Addiction, Prevention, and Treatment. He has also served on the Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, the YMCA of Metropolitan Tucson and is the former President of Great Tucson Leadership. In 2006, farm team member Lena Saradnik picked up this seat for the Democrats when an ultraconservative Republican emerged from the primary. Three Republicans have filed to run at this time; two are far right-wingers and one is positioning himself as a moderate.

Click here to support and learn more about Don.

Andrea Dalessandro

Andrea Dalessandro is a first-time candidate running for the House of Representatives in District 30, which has two open seats currently held by Republicans. Andrea is a graduate of Emerge, our partner organization. She is a certified public accountant and a former high school math teacher. For Arizona House races, the top two finishers among the two democratic and the two republican primary victors are elected. Andrea is the only Democrat running for the House. Four Republicans are running for two slots on the general election ballot. Two are running as participating Clean Elections candidates and two are running traditionally. This race is viable due in large part to Andrea's tireless campaigning in the last year.

Click here to support and learn more about Andrea.

Ed Hermes

Ed Hermes is running for the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, District 1. Ed is a 23-year-old up-and-coming politician with a very bright future. At his young age, he has already served two years on the Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees Arizona's university system, and has been an outspoken and prominent advocate for students facing double-digit percentage tuition increases. Ed also served as political director of Ironworkers 75 and has applied to join SEIU. He currently serves as the Director of External Affairs for the Arizona Department of Agriculture, where he oversees the communication, legislative affairs and community outreach for the department. Ed's opponent is a three-term incumbent with strong ties to anti-environment developers and has never faced a competitive election. Ed's campaign will focus on holding the Board of Supervisors accountable for out-of-control spending, government waste, and failure to exercise oversight over other scandal-ridden Republican officials.

Click here to support and learn more about Ed.

Marquisha Griffin

Marquisha Griffin is a 32-year-old member of the Maricopa City Council. She isthe only female and the only person of color on the city council. Marquisha is also in her third term on the City of Maricopa Planning and Zoning Commission. She volunteers at local charity events and city sponsored activities and is currently employed by the City of Mesa as a City Council Assistant to its council.

Click here to support and learn more about Marquisha.

Rick Heumann

Rick Heumann, who is running for the Chandler City Council, is a long-time resident of Chandler and has been active in the community for more than 20 years. Rick has served eight years on the city planning and zoning commission, has served on several other city commissions, and has been president of a large homeowner's association. Chandler is a conservative community east of Phoenix, but a well-run progressive campaign can succeed there. Progressive Majority candidate Trinity Donovan was the top vote-getter in Chandler's elections two years ago, and as the lone progressive on the council, she now she needs help to move forward a progressive agenda. On the council, Rick will advocate smart and sustainable growth policies, expansion of mass transit, and a greater emphasis on parks and other city services that increase quality of life.

Click here to support and learn more about Rick.

Robin Stamp

Robin Stamp is a first-time candidate for the Madison Elementary School District Governing Board. Robin, 30, was a Fellow at the Center for Progressive Leadership and works for the Arizona Attorney General's office in its consumer outreach division.

Robin is dedicated to safer schools for our children. In his position as an Outreach Coordinator for the Attorney General, Robin has extensive experience working with students, teachers, administrators, and parents on school safety.

Robin understands the importance of a supportive work environment for Arizona's educators. One of Robin's primary goals is to attract and retain top teachers in Madison School District. Robin's vision is for the district to be the leader in 21st century education, and he believes we must educate our children to be leaders and innovators in the new global economy.

Click here to support and learn more about Robin.

Bob Blumenfield

Bob is running for the California Assembly, 40th District. For the past seven years Bob has been the District Director to Congressman Howard Berman. Bob is Chair of the Valley Anti-Defamation League, Vice Chair of the California Trust for Public Schools and a former board member of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters. Bob is a strong proponent of progressive issues in such key areas as education, healthcare, the environment and economic justice. Bob has two formidable primary opponents who are conservative Democrats: Stuart Waldman is the former Chief of Staff to the current Assembly member, and Laurette Healey is a former Deputy State Controller. Bob has received the endorsement of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressmembers Howard Berman and Henry Waxman, California State Speaker Fabian Nunez, County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Click here to support and learn more about Bob.

Mark Ridley-Thomas

California Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas is running for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, 2nd District, in the highest priority race for progressives in Los Angeles County. Mark is running against a formidable candidate, former chief of police and current Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks. Although elected by a majority African American district, Parks has a conservative voting record when it comes to investing in communities. If Parks wins, Los Angeles County will be controlled by a conservative majority at a time when county hospitals and emergency services in communities of color are facing closure. Mark has been a staunch supporter of progressive issues such as the establishment of school health centers, consumer protection, community reinvestment, jobs and workforce development.

Click here to support and learn more about Mark.

Sherri Lightner

Sherri Lightner is running for the 1st City Council District in San Diego. A community volunteer and leader, Sherri has served as president of both the La Jolla Town Council and the La Jolla Shores Association. An engineer by training, she is a recognized expert on land development law. Because of term limits, the 1st will be an open seat. Sherri represents an opportunity to elect a progressive woman to a historically moderate to conservative seat, allowing for a potential progressive majority.

Click here to support and learn more about Sherri.

Stephen Whitburn

Stephen Whitburn is an openly gay candidate running for the open 3rd City Council District in San Diego. This seat is safely Democratic, but Stephen's election could mean the difference between a Democratic majority and a true progressive majority. In particular, he will fight for progressive values on housing issues, especially for renter's rights and against development that is forcing longtime residents (many elderly and people of color) out of what had been affordable housing. As a community activist, he has worked very closely with labor, walking picket lines and working to pass a living wage ordinance. Stephen is also a former union member with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Click here to support and learn more about Stephen.

Tim Goodrich

Tim is a candidate for the Torrance City Council, and a rising star in the California farm team. Tim is a veteran who returned to actively protest the United States involvement in Iraq. He co-founded a national, non-profit veteran's advocacy organization and founded and is the Director of Iraq Veterans for Progress, an organization that empowers veterans by giving them job training and experience. Tim is passionate about environmental and transportation issues that impact Torrance. Tim has been endorsed by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor as well as Lt. Governor John Garamendi.

Click here to support and learn more about Tim.

John Lee Evans

John Lee Evans is a clinical psychologist and long-time progressive activist on education and social justice issues. He is running against an incumbent Republican, Mitz Lee. If elected, John will provide a strong progressive voice on the school board for local control and improved opportunity for children in low-income and immigrant communities. A win would create a progressive majority and a Democratic super majority.

Click here to support and learn more about John.

Richard Barrera

Richard Barrera is a candidate for the San Diego School District in Nominating Subdistrict D. Richard is Latino and a union organizer with SEIU Local 399. Richard faces a difficult race in the general election against conservative incumbent Luis Acle, a former Reagan administration official who has openly expressed interest in higher office. A Barrera victory would create both a working progressive majority and a Democratic supermajority.

Click here to support and learn more about Richard.

Danna Elling-Schultz

Danna Elling-Schultz is a DFL researcher in the Minnesota Senate and a candidate for re-election to the City Council of Hastings. Danna has been a long-standing champion for public education funding and smart investment in suburban communities. If re-elected, she will continue to work against unfettered development and ensure fair and equal treatment of families in Hastings.

Click here to support and learn more about Danna.

Jennifer Brady

Jennifer Brady is the Representative from the 16th Ohio House District. Progressive Majority endorsed Jennifer in 2006 because of her commitment to progressive values, activism in the community, strategic mindset and strong work ethic. In 2006, Progressive Majority was one of very few organizations to support Jennifer after the House Democratic Caucus wrote off her race. Since then, we have been working closely with her on strategy, field organization and fundraising. According to Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett, ''The 16th District is the number-one Republican target for 2008.'' It is a must-keep if Democrats are to take over the House. Traditionally, the 16th has been known as the most Republican district in Cuyahoga County, which made Jennifer's 2006 victory the pleasant surprise of the cycle for Progressives. The Republicans have recruited Nan Baker, a conservative member of the Westlake city council colloquially known as the ''Republican Jennifer Brady.'' Jennifer has been a progressive champion in the Assembly who refuses to vote against her values, thus displaying the courage and conviction that helped her win in 2006.

Click here to support and learn more about Jennifer.

Matt Patten

Matt Patten is the Democratic candidate for the 18th Ohio State House District. Matt has a long history of activism and labor organizing and is currently a Regional Labor-Management Field Coordinator. The performance of the district is expected to improve even further as the popular Republican incumbent is jumping to the state Senate and his successor, Robert Spada, is considered far too conservative for this Democratic-trending district. As a professional community organizer, Matt is a fearless champion for improving economic opportunity, education, and universal access to healthcare. He has the endorsements of local and statewide labor. This seat is a top-tier pickup in the quest for the four seats we need for a Democratic majority in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Click here to support and learn more about Matt.

Tom Houghton

Tom Houghton is an attorney running for the 13th Legislative District, representing Chester County. Tom was elected to serve on the London Grove Board of Supervisors in 2001 and became chair in 2004. As chair, Tom has lowered property taxes by nearly 9%, preserved farmland, and passed an ordinance to obtain impact fees from developers to fund parkland. He also allowed for the expansion of Yeatman's Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms and Gourmet's Delight, a group that instituted industry best practices and eliminated harmful air byproducts. In 2006, Tom ran against the incumbent, now retiring, and received 47% of the vote. That year, Tom raised $200,000 for the race, which was more than any Democrat had ever raised in the district.

Click here to support and learn more about Tom.

Barbara McIlvaine Smith

Barbara McIlvaine Smith is seeking re-election to the 156th Legislative District, Chester County. Barbara is a lifelong resident of Chester County whose family roots date back to 1683. Barbara is an enrolled member of the federally recognized Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma. In 2001, she was elected to the West Chester Borough Council and served as the vice president from 2004-2006. Barbara is a member of American Association of University Women; Sierra Club; League of Women Voters; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; National Organization for Women; and The National Women's Political Caucus. Barbara is the first Democrat in 30 years to hold the 156th legislative seat, and we know she can build on her historic 2006 win.

Click here to support and learn more about Barbara.

Kevin Lee

Kevin Lee is running for the State House District 163 seat to represent Delaware County. Kevin has been a member of the Lansdowne Borough Council since 2004. In 2005, he authored and spearheaded passage of a resolution to include employees' domestic partners and domestic partners' children in the borough employee insurance plan (a first in Delaware County). Kevin has worked on environmental issues for the borough including leading a movement to reduce the borough's waste disposal amounts by revamping the town's recycling program (recycling has increased by 50% since introduction of single stream recycling). Kevin is a registered nurse and would bring a much needed healthcare perspective to the General Assembly. If elected, according to the Victory Fund, he will be the first openly-gay legislator to serve in the Pennsylvania State Assembly. Kevin is hard working, has an excellent campaign plan and is a formidable challenger.

Click here to support and learn more about Kevin.

Tom Quinn

Tom Quinn is running for the 165th Legislative District, Delaware County. The 165th Legislative District in Delaware County includes the municipalities of Springfield, Morton, and parts of Maple and Radnor. Tom was the Pennsylvania State Education Association Representative for Central Bucks East High School from 1998-2002 and currently teaches at Philadelphia University. Tom currently holds a Democratic Committee seat to which he was elected in 2005, and has been extremely active in the party. A playwright, Tom was commissioned by the Walnut Street Theater to research and write three civil rights-themed plays. Tom is determined to beat a conservative incumbent and help change the General Assembly to a more progressive body.

Click here to support and learn more about Tom.

Tony Payton Jr.

Tony Payton Jr. is running for reelection in the 179th Legislative District, representing Philadelphia County. The 179th District is one of the poorest in the state, and African Americans and Latinos make up a majority population. Since his election to the General Assembly in 2006, Tony has been at the forefront of education reform in Pennsylvania. He introduced legislation to create the Pennsylvania Youth Commission and authored the REACH scholarship initiative. The REACH Scholarship would provide free tuition and fees to students in the State University System who maintain a 3.0 grade point average and a 90 percent attendance record. In 2007, Tony received the Philadelphia Tribune Leadership Award as one of the city's most influential African-Americans.

Click here to support and learn more about Tony.

Babette Josephs

Babette Josephs is seeking re-election to the 182nd Legislative District, Philadelphia County. She is a senior Democratic legislator and serves as the Chair of the House State Government Committee, which will oversee re-districting in 2010. Babette is dedicated to civil liberties and is responsible for a number of laws and pieces of legislation, including hate crimes protection for against crimes based on sexual orientation. Babette authored the law that guarantees confidentiality of HIV records. She also helped pass a law providing for automatic recounts in close state election races, and has been at the forefront fighting against those who seek to limit first amendment rights. Her current efforts are aimed at increasing state funding for public libraries and the arts. Babette is working to secure adequate and permanent funding for public transit, improved access to health care for low income working adults, increase the minimum wage and to end discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgendered individuals in health care, housing, and employment.

Click here to support and learn more about Babette.

Peter Goldmark

Peter Goldmark has owned and operated his family's Okanogan ranch for more than 30 years. In 2006, Peter ran for Congress. It was a surprisingly competitive race against an entrenched incumbent in WA-5, a very conservative congressional district. Progressive Majority, along with members of our Washington Advisory Council, helped recruit Peter into the race for Commissioner of Public Lands. The Lands Commissioner is Washington state's highest environmental office; the position oversees the state's Department of Natural Resources. The conservative incumbent commissioner, Doug Sutherland, continues to publicly express skepticism regarding the causes and potential impacts of global warming.

Click here to support and learn more about Peter.

Pam Brokaw

A former newspaper reporter and congressional staffer, Pam Brokaw is the executive director of a non-profit organization that builds sustainable, affordable housing. She is also the former chair of the Clark County Democratic Party. With the help of Progressive Majority, Pam sought office for the first time in 2004, running for the legislature in the conservative 18th district. Although she did not win the seat, Pam ran a strong race and won endorsements from three major area newspapers during the hard-fought campaign. After being recruited by Progressive Majority in early 2007, Pam announced in December her bid for the open commission seat. She has strong support from elected Democratic representatives at the local and state level as well as Progressive Majority 2005 and 2006 candidate Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart. The commission is currently made up of one progressive, one moderate Democrat and one conservative. The moderate Democrat is retiring, so Pam's election would mean the body will swing to a progressive majority. Clark County is the fastest-growing county in the state, so control of the commission means that critical land-use decisions will be made in favor of the environment instead of big developers. Pam is the sole Democrat in the race and there are currently three conservatives running.

Click here to support and learn more about Pam.

Helen Price Johnson

Helen Price Johnson, along with her husband, owns and manages a successful small business on Whidbey Island. She was elected to the South Whidbey School Board in 2001, and currently she represents the board on legislative issues at the state and federal level. In 2006 we helped elect Progressive Majority candidate John Dean to the Island County Commission. He is the sole progressive on the three-member commission. John introduced us to Helen in early 2007 as a possible candidate for a future campaign. After meeting with Helen, we knew she would be a great candidate for the Island County Commission. If she wins we will have a progressive majority on the Island County Commission. In the summer of 2007, the four-term conservative District 1 incumbent stepped down from his seat. Subsequently, the Island County Planning Director, Phil Bakke, was appointed to fulfill the last year of his term, and is now seeking election. Bakke has proven to be closely aligned with the conservative Republican majority on the board. We need Helen on the Commission to stop Bakke from getting a solid conservative hold on this seat.

Click here to support and learn more about Helen.

Kim Thorburn

Dr. Kim Thorburn is currently the Medical Director of Planned Parenthood of the Inland Northwest and is a current or former board member for a number of organizations, including the Washington State Health Board, Spokane Audubon Society, Spokane AIDS Network, the Washington State Medical Association and many others. Before her current job, Kim was the Spokane County health officer, and is well known as a progressive advocate for healthcare in Spokane County. She is running against incumbent Todd Mielke, a very conservative Republican with deep ties to the development community.

Click here to support and learn more about Kim.

Bruce Lachney

Bruce Lachney is a regular renaissance man; an airline captain with Delta Airlines, union-member (Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l.), and cranberry farmer. He owns Rainier Mountain Cranberries LLC, which produces cranberries for Ocean Spray and local markets. Rainier Mountain Cranberries is also a member of the American Tree Farm System, and is a family tree farm that produces sustainable wood products. Currently, Bruce is an elected director of the Eatonville School District and, in the past, he was a member of the Pierce County Planning Commission. He is running against an incumbent, Roger Bush, who is a very conservative Republican. Most recently, Bush voted against extending health benefits to domestic partners of county employees.

Click here to support and learn more about Bruce.

Jessica King

Jessica King is just the kind of pipeline candidate we love to see emerge from our training and campaign assistance. Jessica has been a farm team member since 2005. She knew she wanted to run for office some day, and Progressive Majority helped guide her along the way, developing her campaign skills and defining her platform. When the time was right, she ran for Oshkosh City Council, and her 2007 victory helped flip the council to a progressive majority!

Jessica is now running for state Senate in an open seat being vacated by a conservative incumbent. This district is key to expanding the one-seat majority currently held in the Senate. Having grown up in Fond du Lac County, the rural, more conservative part of the Senate district, Jessica has a natural base in an area where progressives usually struggle. Her long history in the community - she went to grade school through college and now practices law in the district - will enable her to cross party and ideological lines, build consensus and work for real change.

Young, talented, and committed to her community, Jessica King is a real example of the progressive political pipeline we're working to create.

Click here to support and learn more about Jessica.

Sandy Pasch

Sandy Pasch is running in an open seat vacated by Democrat Sheldon Wasserman, who is running for the State Senate to challenge conservative Alberta Darling. The 22nd is a seat that Democrats must protect. Sandy Pasch entered the race early and has been campaigning aggressively. Sandy has attended Camp Wellstone and secured the endorsement of the Inspector of the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department, the Milwaukee District Attorney, and many prominent progressive activists. Sandy is a registered nurse and 21-year resident of the 22nd district. She is married and has rasied three grown children. As a second job, Sandy teaches ethics, mental health, and community nursing at Columbia School of Nursing. She also serves on numerous community boards and works with the Milwaukee Police Department conducting training on how to effectively deal with people living with mental illness.

Click here to support and learn more about Sandy.

Paul Tubbs

As a school guidance counselor and Rhinelander School Board Member, Paul Tubbs has committed his life to the children and families in his district.. He is now ready to take his experience and skills to the state level, representing the 34th District in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Paul understands that the key to economic prosperity is excellent schools and healthy children and families. He will work to bring good-paying, family-supporting jobs to his community, make sure Wisconsin's education system remains top-notch, and fight for affordable health care.

Paul is challenging an incumbent whose votes have consistently lined up with the conservative leadership in Madison instead of with the best interests of his district. Paul has knocked on thousands of doors in his community and has heard loud and clear that the people of the 34th Assembly District are ready for new leadership.

Click here to support and learn more about Paul.

Kristen Dexter

Kristen Dexter is running an aggressive, smart campaign for the 68th Assembly seat. Kristen was a star campaign volunteer for Pat Kreitlow, a Progressive Majority candidate elected to the state Senate in 2006. Kristen is running because she wants to bring needed change to Madison, holding state representatives accountable to the people rather than big business or special interests.

Kristen's commitment to children and families in the Chippewa Valley is evident. She was elected to the Altoona School Board in 2001 and has served as Clerk of the Board since 2004. She also serves on the Regional Steering Committee for Health Literacy Wisconsin. Kristen learned the value of hard work growing up on her family's farm. She thinks it is time to put an end to the petty bickering in Madison and to get to work solving the problems that we face as a state. As state representative, she will continue to work for health care reform, to improve the economy, and to keep our education system strong in order to prepare our kids for the future.

Click here to support and learn more about Kristen.

Dale Klemme

Dale Klemme is running for the 96th Assembly District seat - a top target for us in 2008. We identified and recruited Dale to run in the Spring of 2007. Dale is working to unseat Lee Nerison, a conservative Assembly member who has consistently voted along party lines. Dale is a community development planner who has lived in the district for 30 years, and his wife is the Mayor of Prarie du Chien. He is an active member of the Praire du Chien community, participating in the Praire du Chien Chamber and School Board. He is also a Vietnam veteran.

Click here to support and learn more about Dale.

Adam Warpinksi

Adam has been a member of our farm team since late 2005, and was first successfully fielded by Progressive Majority to the Brown County Board in 2006. At 25 years old, Adam is currently the youngest member of the board. He is an organizer for the League of Conservation Voters, a partner organization and member of our Advisory Council. Adam is a great champion for progressive values.

Click here to support and learn more about Adam.

Jack Krueger

Jack is a retired AFSCME member who has been a leader on the Brown County Board, especially in the area of protecting workers and fair labor practices. After the 2006 election, Jack was one vote shy of becoming the Brown County Board Chairman, and has since worked tirelessly to recruit and help elect progressive candidates. Our work in 2008 has been tied closely to working with Jack and other progressive partners in Brown County. Four years ago, there was much doubt that progressives could make inroads into this historically conservative part of the state. Jack has been instrumental in helping shift that perception.

Click here to support and learn more about Jack.

Carole Andrews

Carole Andrews has an extensive policy background and has worked on Democratic campaigns in Green Bay and Brown County for several election cycles. We know she will make a great addition to the Board.

Click here to support and learn more about Carole.

Rob Zerban

Rob Zerban was elected a Kenosha County Supervisor in April of 2008. Rob is an enterpreneur who has started several food service companies in Illinois. He was recruited by our Kenosha County Task Force in July 2007 to run for this seat.

Click here to support and learn more about Rob.

Jennifer Jackson

When Jennifer Jackson was elected to the Kenosha County Board, she was the most outspoken progressive, and the lone progressive woman. In 2008, she led our recruitment task force and worked with us to recruit new candidates to Kenosha local elected positions. Jenn is a stay-at-home mom and a leader in the environmental community.

Click here to support and learn more about Jennifer.

Bill Brockmiller

Bill Brockmiller was a first-time candidate when he won his seat on the La Crosse County Board in 2008. Bill is active in his union as a Labor Market Analyst for AFSCME and a member of the bargaining unit.

Click here to support and learn more about Bill.

Beverly Mach

Beverly Mach was recruited to run for the La Crosse County Board by our regional task force in Spring of 2008, and she emerged victorious. Beverly has lived in her district for more than 39 years and has strong ties to the community. Prior to her retirement, Beverly was a career advisor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Click here to support and learn more about Beverly.

Tara Johnson

Tara Johnson was recruited to the Progressive Majority Farm Team in the fall of 2007. She is currently serving her fifth term on the La Crosse County Board. Tara is the former executive director of United Way and currently a stay-at-home mom. On the La Crosse County Board, she is the chair of Health and Human Services Committee and Second Vice-Chair of the board. Tara is well respected and admired for her ability to fight for progressive values while building consensus among her peers.

Click here to support and learn more about Tara.

Marina Dimitrijevic

Marina was first elected in 2004 as the youngest-ever person (then 22) elected to the Milwaukee County Board. In her first two terms as Supervisor, she held over 50 town hall meetings, served on more than 30 community organizations and worked to promote progressive legislation including a GreenPrint Plan that she authored and passed in 2007. Marina is a rising star in Milwaukee politics and is committed to building a movement of young progressives.

Click here to support and learn more about Marina.

Chris Larson

Chris Larson was recruited by Progressive Majority to run for a then-open seat on the Milwaukee County Board in 2008. He is committed to protecting the county parks and fixing the public transit system and will be an important voice on the Milwaukee County Board.

Click here to support and learn more about Chris.

Diane Lange

Diane Lange is active in the Racine women's progressive moovement, is an SEIU member working as a public nurse and a vocal challenger to conservative mismanagement in her county govnerment. Diane is an active community member, serving on the Board of Directors for Youth Connections, a member of the Hispanic Roundtable, and State Board Member for her SEIU Local.

Click here to support and learn more about Diane.

Ken Hall

Ken Hall has been a member of our farm team since 2005 and was first elected to the Racine County Board in 2006. Since then, he has been working to recruit and train other progressive candidates for various local offices in his community. Ken and his wife, Debra, are building a progressive movement in Racine; Debra chairs the newly formed Racine Progressive Women's Network, a group of 200 women working for political accountability and positive change in southeastern Wisconsin. Ken has a history of community service and activism and has been strongly supported by labor.

Click here to support and learn more about Ken.

Katie Kuznacic

Katie Kuznacic is an elected member of the Rock County Board. She works as a legislative assistant to progressive Assembly Representative Michael Sheridan and specializes in constituent relationships. Katie is supported by United Auto Workers and the local Labor Council.

Click here to support and learn more about Katie.

Mike Giese

Mike Giese served on the Onalaska City Council for six years before running for mayor unsuccessfully against a long-time incumbent. In his second attempt running for mayor in 2008, he was victorious by nine votes. Mike is a former owner of the Onalaska Community Life Newspaper, which he sold when he decided to seek public office. Mike made progressive issues, such as health care and the environment, the centerpiece of his campaign. With his election, now he can put those values into action.

Click here to support and learn more about Mike.

Celestine Jeffreys

Celestine is currently one of Wisconsin's rising political stars. She was elected to the Green Bay City Council and is currently the only woman and only person of color on the council. Progressive Majority recruited her in 2006, when she successfully won her first election. In her first term as Councilwoman, Celestine stood for the separation of church and state against a controversial ordinance that allowed a nativity scene to be placed a top City Hall. We need more progressive champions like Celestine in Green Bay and all across Wisconsin.

Click here to support and learn more about Celestine.

Michael Orth

Michael is a lifelong Kenosha resident whose election to the Kenosha City Council was his first race. Michael and his wife have two small children and are active members of the community. Both he and his wife are teachers in the Kenosha public schools - Michael teaches history and is very active in the local teachers' union, as well as Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), the Wisconsin chapter of the NEA. Michael is a great elected official and we see him as a rising star in the progressive movement.

Click here to support and learn more about Michael.

Anthony Kennedy

We first met Anthony Kennedy in January 2007, and convinced him to run for local office. As a community member, Anthony has been involved with the NAACP, the local Democratic Party, and is a former AFSCME member and campaign manager for other local candidates. In 2008, Anthony successfully won a seat on the Kenosha City Council.

Click here to support and learn more about Anthony.

Gilbert Ostman

Gilbert Ostman is a member of the Kenosha School Board. He has been a leader and teacher in the Kenosha School District for more than 30 years. He retired from teaching social studies and driver's education in 1999. In addition to his many hours in the classroom, Gilbert has worked in the community. He has coached soccer, served on the Mayor's Youth Commission, helped found the Youth Memorial in one of Kenosha's parks, and is a lifetime member of the NEA and KEA (Kenosha Education Association). His knowledge and experience with issues important to both educators and students makes him a critical member of the school board.

Click here to support and learn more about Gilbert.

Pamala Handrow

Pam Handrow was a founding member of the Racine Women's Progressive Network and has been an agent of change in Racine County for years. Currently Pam teaches adult education and labor law. Pam started her professional career as a social worker, which later prompted her to attend law school. She also has a master's degree in library science. Pam has assisted countless children and families in attaining important social services and has worked as a mediator. Her education and her life experience instilled in her a deep dedication to improving the lives of children.

Click here to support and learn more about Pamala.

Melvin Hargrove

Melvin Hargrove was first appointed to serve on the Racine School Board in December 2007, and won his first election to the post in 2008. A lifelong resident of Racine and founding pastor of Zoe Outreach Ministries, Melvin sees first-hand how education is critical to the Racine community. Melvin plans to improve area schools by working with state legislators to address Wisconsin's school funding crisis. Melvin is the only African American serving on the Racine School Board.

Click here to support and learn more about Melvin.

Dennis Wiser

Dennis Wiser is a retired math teacher from Case High School, where he spent over 30 years in the classroom and working for the teachers' union. We recruited Dennis to run through our network of women in the Racine Women's Progressive Network, and he won election to the School Board in April, 2008.

Click here to support and learn more about Dennis.