First off an announcement. I am the new blog team coordinator for the Laesch for Congress campaign. Or should I say new-ish? That’s right, I have my old job from the ’06 cycle back. So, as my first duty, I am writing to give you all a general update on the Laesch campaign. Included in the update are a great article on John in the Sun-Times, plenty of new endorsements, and our big event for tonight.
These are exciting times for the campaign.
The Campaign was thrilled to see Dick Simpson’s Chicago Sun Times column on Saturday, January 5th as he declared John the “Democrats’ most formidable candidate against… Jim Oberweis.”
For those who don’t know, Dick Simpson is head of the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Political Science Department. He is also a former Chicago alderman, author, progressive leader and columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Simpson won his aldermanic race against a much better financed candidate. His accomplishments as alderman include ending salary discrimination in the city budget for women holding the same jobs as men, budget amendments to provide better funding and speedier opening of day-care centers, and programs to help the homeless and the hungry.
Mr. Simpson highlighted some of our endorsements, John’s great progressive stances on the issues, and his grassroots support as things that make him the front-runner in this race. Mr. Simpson said that John is “headed to victory in the primary…” and in the special election.
Simpson’s list of organizations supporting John didn’t even include them all, I assume he ran short on space. John is also endorsed by many unions, including UAW (region 4); Illinois’ AFL-CIO; the Illinois branch of the International Union of Operating Engineers; and the Western Regional Council of the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America. Other organizations endorsing John’s candidacy include VETPAC, DAPAC, IVI-IPO (Independent Voters of Illinois – Independent Precinct Organization), and PDA (Progressive Democrats of America – 14th district and Chicago chapters).
We have also received personal endorsements from the one and only Studs Terkel, progressive radio host Mike Malloy, Dr. Quentin Young of Physicians for National Health Care, and Barbara Ehrenreich (author of “Nickel and Dimed“).
Campaign endorsements also include numerous personal endorsements from voters throughout the district and over 60 Precinct Committee People within the district. If you would like to view all of our endorsements, please visit http://www.john08.com/we-the-p…
We are also participating in an exciting candidate forum. This one is unique because it includes all candidates running for the seat, both Democrat and Republican. If you are in the area and interested in coming out, it will be tonight (Tuesday, January 8) at 7:00 PM. It is being hosted by the League of Women Voters organizations of Batavia and St. Charles-Geneva at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, in St. Charles, IL. We would love to see you all out there!
Of course, we could always use your support. We have envelopes to stuff, phone calls to make, data to be entered, doors to knock on, events to attend, literature to hand out, and any number of other things for you to help out with. If you can’t make it to the office, you can still help out with phone banking and data entry from the comfort of your own home. Click here to take action and here to contribute.
Thanks,
Kristen Lash
Blog Team Coordinator
John Laesch for US Congress