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2007 Victorious
Racial Justice Campaign Candidates
Melvin Carter III
Elected to St. Paul City Council - Ward 1 (Challenger)
Melvin Carter is a 28 year old, African American, lifetime resident of Saint Paul with a background in community and electoral organizing; most recently, he worked on the Policy Outreach Team in the office of Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Melvin won his 2007 election against a Chamber of Commerce-endorsed one-term incumbent, Debbie Montgomery. Melvin's election has shifted the St. Paul City Council from a moderate Council to a progressive Council. Melvin is a dynamic leader with the potential to make a difference in St. Paul.
Marilyn Strickland
Elected to Tacoma City Council - At Large (Open Seat)
Marilyn Strickland is a member of the Tacoma City Council. Marilyn is the Development Officer for the Tacoma Public Library, focusing on advocacy, fundraising, and community outreach. Born in Seoul, South Korea, her parents moved to Tacoma when her father was stationed at Fort Lewis forty years ago. She believes that education and literacy should be at the top of Tacoma's civic agenda. A graduate of the University of Washington, Marilyn earned an MBA from Clark-Atlanta University. She has worked in both public and private sectors, holding marketing positions with the American Cancer Society and Starbucks Coffee Company. Her community service and volunteer activities include the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees, the Grand Cinema Board of Directors, the Tacoma Pierce-County Black Collective, and the Elizabeth Wesley Youth Scholarship Program. She is currently the only person of color elected to the local school board, city council, or county government.
Marie Lopez Rogers
Elected to Mayor of Avondale (Incumbent)
Marie Lopez Rogers is the Mayor of Avondale. She was appointed Mayor in January 2006, has lived in the district for 50 of her 57 years, and is a former member of CWA. She won reelection in 2007. Marie is a strong progressive, and she is the key to halting or slowing legislation from a city council that is dominated by conservatives.
Avondale was previously an agricultural town that is rapidly growing with scores of subdivisions along Interstate-10 west of Phoenix. It also includes Phoenix International Race Way that attracts tens of thousands of people to NASCAR races. Marie wants to preserve the quality of life in Avondale by working for safer streets and neighborhoods, providing efficient cost-effective city services, and ensuring a vital economy through an appropriate balance of residential, commercial, and recreational development.
Danny Tabor
Elected to Inglewood City Council - District 1 (Open Seat)
Danny Tabor is a Councilman in the Inglewood City Council, First District. Inglewood is a large community in South Bay. He is an organizer with the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, a community organization closely tied to labor that focuses on issues of economic justice.
Ralph Franklin
Elected to Inglewood City Council - District 4 (Incumbent)
Ralph Franklin is in his second term representing the Inglewood City Council, Fourth District. Inglewood is a major city in Los Angeles County. A retired member of UFCW Local 770, Ralph defeated the previous incumbent in a hard fought and expensive battle. Ralph has been a leader in opposing the construction of a Wal-Mart in Inglewood and authored anti-''Big Box'' store legislation.
Pete Aguilar
Elected to Redlands City Council - At Large (Incumbent)
Pete Aguilar is a 28-year old, Latino city councilor in the city of Redlands, located within San Bernardino County. Pete was appointed to an open seat on the city council, and won his first election to the office in 2007. He has been involved for years in Democratic campaigns throughout the county.
Rikke Van Johnson
Elected to San Bernardino City Council - Ward 6 (Incumbent)
Councilman Rikke Van Johnson is a City Councilman representing the 6th Ward in the city of San Bernardino. In 2003, he defeated the Republican incumbent, Betty Dean Anderson, who is attempting to win back her seat. In 2007, Rikke successfully defended his seat in a rematch against Anderson. The 4-3 majority Republicans hold makes Rikke's seat a vital bulwark against conservative attack.
Eric Drummond
Elected to Mayor of Manitou Springs (Challenger)
Eric Drummond was a first time candidate when he was elected Mayor of Manitou Springs in the fall of 2007. Eric is an African American attorney and a former Carpenters Union member. Since moving to Colorado four years ago, Eric has been involved with his community - particularly regarding environmental justice and open space issues. In May of 2007, Eric was appointed to the Manitou Springs City Council to replace outgoing Mark Morland. Our former endorsed candidate Liz Feder, who successfully ran for Manitou Springs city Council in 2005, referred Eric to Progressive Majority
Angelique Espinoza
Elected to Boulder City Council - At Large (Open Seat)
Angelique Espinoza is a Latina member of Boulder City Council. Angelique is a small business owner, a mother, and Chair of the Boulder County Democrats Affirmative Action committee. Boulder City Council is fairly Democratic, but not always a progressive council, especially towards people from communities of color. Angelique is currently the only Latina councilmember.
Paul Lopez
Elected to Denver City Council - District 3 (Open Seat)
Paul Lopez is an SEIU organizer who defines the phrase ''community organizer.'' Paul was born and raised in District 3, where he has worked in the community since he was 13 years old (starting out as a dishwasher). He has spent his entire life improving the lives of people who live in West Denver through his work with multiple organizations and initiatives. Paul adds youth, diversity, and passion to the council and will serve the 3rd District well.
Cindy Baroway
Elected to Lakewood City Council - Ward 2 (Open Seat)
Cindy Baroway is a member of the Lakewood City Council in Ward 2. Cindy has sold insurance for over 20 years and has been active in the community through Junior Achievement. She is Japanese-American, and will bring much-needed diversity to the Lakewood Council. Because of Karen Kellen and Tom Quinn, two other Progressive Majority-endorsed candidates, Lakewood now has a progressive-controlled Council.
John Lovick
Elected to Snohomish County Sheriff (Open Seat)
John Lovick is the Snohomish County Sheriff. Recently retired after 31-years with the Washington State Patrol, Sgt. Lovick was named the ''Trooper of the Year'' and holds many awards for his service. John is a union member with the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association. From 1999 until his election to Sheriff, John served in the Washington State House of Representatives, rising to the position of Speaker Pro Tempore. From 1994-1999, he served on the Mill Creek City Council, two of those years as Mayor. John is one of only three people of color currently elected at the county level in Washington state and the only one outside of King County. In addition, he is first person of color in Washington state to serve as an elected sheriff.
Steve Oliver
Elected to Whatcom County Treasurer (Open Seat)
Steve Oliver is the Whatcom County Treasurer. Steve has served two terms on Ferndale's City Council including his current position as Mayor Pro Tem. He is a former member of Teamsters Local 231, previously served on the Ferndale Planning Commission and Board of Adjustments serves as Board President of the Ferndale Boys and Girls Club, and represents small cities on the Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence. Steve has worked in the Treasurer's office since 1998 and was appointed Chief Deputy Treasurer in 1999. He won election to County Treasurer in 2007.
Bob Kelly
Elected to Whatcom County Council - District 1 - Position B (Open Seat)
Bob Kelly is a Whatcom County Councilman. He is a member of the Nooksack Tribe in Northern Western Washington. Bob first became interested in politics with his work on salmon recovery issues as Natural Resources Director with the Nooksack. He is also heavily involved in his community, serving as treasurer with the NW Indian Fish Commission, which is comprised of 20 tribes. He is not only the first Native American to serve on the Whatcom County Council, but also the first Native American to hold County office in Washington State.
Ramona Fonseca
Elected to Mayor of Granger (Challenger)
Ramona Fonseca is the Mayor of Granger, a small town in the Yakima Valley. A retired state employee and activist, Ramona ran for office for several reasons. Granger has a heavy Latino/a population (86%), yet before her election, this overwhelming majority was not reflected in city government. After years of pressuring the city council and mayor to respond to citizen's request for information, Ramona decided a change was needed; she won her election to Mayor in 2007.
Mia Gregerson
Elected to SeaTac City Council - Position 7 (Open Seat)
Mia Gregerson is a member of the SeaTac City Council. Mia is a third generation resident of the SeaTac community. She lives with her husband, Scott, and their daughter. She is very involved in the community by working with and coaching young athletes through Special Olympics and volunteers for the SmileMobile, which provides dental services for the poor. Professionally, she works as a surgical assistant. While the community is highly minority (40% people of color, heavy concentrations of Asians, Hispanics and African-Americans), she is the only person of color on the seven-member city council. She will also bring a fresh perspective as a young person to the council.
Terry Scott
Elected to Shoreline City Council - Position 6 (Challenger)
Terry Scott is a member of the non-partisan Shoreline City Council. He currently serves as a University of Washington faculty member in the School of Medicine. In 2006, he was chosen to be a member, and then was elected Vice-chair of the City of Shoreline's Citizen's Housing Committee, which is currently making suggestions to the City Council on issues such as housing affordability and housing choices for area residents. Terry has lived in Shoreline with his wife Lyanne and their four children for almost a decade. He is a former president of the Washington State Academy of Physician Assistants, and has served on various committees at the local and national level, such as the UW Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine Curriculum Committee, and the Washington Academy of Physician Assistants Health Policy Council. As a Physician Assistant in family practice, Terry has been active in advocating for patient access to care, and health care issues and concerns.
Ed Pacheco
Elected to Toppenish City Council - Position 7 (Challenger)
Ed Pacheco is a member of the non-partisan City Council of Toppenish, a small town located in the Yakima Valley. A social worker whose family has lived in the city for over 30 years, Ed has seen the city in harsh conditions with a plummeting economy. Spurred to action by dedication to his hometown, Ed pushed the city council to hire a Spanish language interpreter for the residents of the over 75% Latino/a city. Despite this high Latino/a population, before Ed's election only two city council members out of seven represented this majority. Ed brings further representation to the Latino/a residents of Toppenish.
Sili Savusa
Elected to Highline School Board - District 1 (Open Seat)
Sili Savusa is a member of the Highline School Board. She currently is the Family Center Coordinator for South West Youth and Family Services, a non-profit that provides free services to at-risk youth and families. At the age of 25, she became a Samoan chief. She also serves her community by being a Trusted Advocate, a group of people representing the various ethnic communities in North Highline. In response to the dropout rate, poor performance, and neglect Samoan children receive in the school system, Sili organized the first Samoan Parent Teacher organization in the country. Sili is the only person of color on the Board, although it represents one of the most diverse areas of Washington State.
Michael Shields
Elected to Racine City Council (Challenger)
Michael Shields lost his Racine City Council seat in 2005, but ran an impressive successful campaign to reclaim the seat for progressives in 2007. Michael now again represents one of the most diverse districts in Racine.
Johnnie Winston, Jr.
Elected to Madison School Board (Incumbent)
Johnnie Winston, Jr. is currently serving his second term as President of the Madison School. Johnnie is a Madison firefighter and his background includes years of volunteering with teen centers, community service groups, and within the school district to help at-risk children. He is a member of the Firefighters Local 311, a father of three, and a progressive voice on the school board. Johnnie is the only African American serving on the school board in a district where 22% of all students are African American.