2006
Elected Candidates

Derek Kilmer

Three years ago, the people of the 26th District decided they wanted a change and elected Progressive Majority candidate Derek Kilmer to the Washington House of Representatives. In 2006, the conservative Senator in the 26th decided not to run due to health problems, and Derek won his seat for progressives. Derek was born and raised on the Olympic Peninsula. He received a doctoral degree from the University of Oxford in England where he studied economic development policy, and received his bachelors' degree in public policy from Princeton University.

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Claudia Kauffman Redmorningstar

Claudia Kauffman is a a Nez Perce tribal member and elected State Senator from District 47. She previously worked as the intergovernmental affairs liaison for the Muckleshoot tribe since 2001 the People's Lodge Project and co-founded the grassroots organization Native Action Network. She sits on the board of trustees of The Evergreen State University. A former foster parent, she is married and is raising her two children in Kent.

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John Lehman

John Lehman is a State Senator from District 21. He served as a progressive voice in the State Assembly from 1996 until his 2006 election to the Senate, and before that for 12 years on the Racine City Council.

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Paula Aboud

Paula Aboud, an activist for the Tucson Democratic Party, was appointed to the State Senate by the Pima County Board of Supervisors early this year following a resignation. She has since proven herself to be a champion for progressive issues. Paula has proven to be one of the most progressive voices in a body dominated by ultra-conservative views. She was reelected in 2006.

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Joelle Riddle

Joelle Riddle is a County Commissioner in District 1. Joelle was born and raised in Durango and during the past seven years she has worked as the Education Director of Planned Parenthood. Joelle has also been an active leader in the non-profit community, especially youth opportunity programs. Joelle served as the La Plata County Democratic Party Chair during the 2004 election cycle. Joelle lives in Durango with her husband Matt and her son Mescha. Joelle is a dynamic, hard working candidate who has a promising political career.

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Doug Milliken

Doug Millliken is an Aurora City Councilmember. Doug was the City of Centennial's Treasurer for four terms, where he was responsible for turning a $3 million deficit into a $5 million surplus. Because of Doug's wise investments, the City of Centennial was able to use the unexpected revenue to hire five additional Sheriff Deputies without raising taxes. As a result, the City of Centennial was ranked one of the 25 safest cities in America - a perfect example of how an extremely qualified public leader utilizes limited public resources to positively impact and improve the quality of life for Coloradoans.

Doug is also a third generation Coloradoan and an Arapahoe County native, he is openly gay, a successful small business owner of a financial consulting company, a former Wall Street executive, he has been a Certified Public Accountant for 25 years, and he earned two Master's degrees in financial management. Doug is one of the most qualified candidates Progressive Majority has ever supported.

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Kathy Hartman

Kathy Hartman is a Jefferson County Commissioner. Kathy has worked as the Executive Director of Stride, a nonprofit organization that helps families on welfare get back on their feet and back into the workforce. She also sat on the Jefferson County Workforce Development board and the Mental Health Board. Kathy currently lives in Littleton with her husband Bill.

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Barbara McIlvaine Smith

Barbara Smith ran and won the top targeted race for Democrats in the state house in 2006. Barbara took advantage of Progressive Majority's full training program in 2004 when she first ran for this seat against an incumbent losing in a close race. She was the Vice President of the West Chester City Council and is a lifelong resident of Chester County. Barbara is a strong progressive in her moderate district and has convinced Republicans that she is the most qualified and capable representative of this district. Barbara has made Pennsylvania state history as the first Native American ever elected to the legislature.

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Eric Oemig

Eric Oemig spent his high-tech career solving problems - a skill that he now brings to the State Senate. Like many in the 45th District, Oemig moved to the area 15 years ago when he joined Microsoft. Eric has also been active on the Eastside - as a member of the Kirkland Library Board, Hopelink Executive Leadership Council, and Toastmasters International.

Now Eric is a State Senator from District 45. He won election in 2006.

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Jim Sullivan

Jim Sullivan, an attorney, local Alderman, and Naval reservist, carried his message of strong schools, quality healthcare, and fiscal responsibility in the State Capitol in 2006, winning his Senate race against an extremely conservative incumbent.

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Pat Kreitlow

In 2006, Pat Kreitlow challenged 17-year conservative Republican incumbent Dave Zien, and won. Pat is best known as a longtime journalist in the area. He anchored the 6 pm and 10 pm newscasts at WEAU-TV 13 from 1998 to 2005, and worked in several other broadcast positions following his 1986 graduation from UW-Eau Claire. He's received several broadcasting awards and has also served for six years on the board of directors of Literacy Volunteers. His wife is a well-respected OB-GYN at the local health clinic. Pat is an extremely well spoken candidate with great political instincts and he is raising the money needed to get his message out to voters. Pat Kreitlow is committed to addressing the real issues facing Wisconsin families.

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Meg Burton-Cahill

Meg Burton-Cahill won her 2006 State Senate race representing Tempe and South Scottsdale. Before her Senate victory, Meg represented the 17th Legislative District in the State House for six years. She has been a great advocate for children and families, workers' rights and civil rights.

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Rebecca Rios

Rebecca Rios is in her second term as the senator in the 23rd Legislative District. She has a very long history in her district and has been a champion for progressive issues.

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Amanda Aguirre

State Representative Amanda Aguirre became the first Hispanic and female representative for Legislative District 24 in 2003, when she was appointed to the to fill a vacated seat. She has since been reelected to the House of Representatives, and is taking the next step by running for the Senate. Amanda has been involved for more than 20 years in public health education and administration with a strong emphasis on U.S.-Mexico border health issues. Her opponent is the other sitting member, conservative Russ Jones.

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Jackie Thrasher

Jackie Thrasher brings 25 years of public education experience to her state represesentative seat from the 10th Legislative District. She is well known, well liked in her district, and has been a long time advocate for children and education. She has strong ideas on education and is working hard for the people of Arizona.

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Edward Ableser

Edward Ableser is a state representative in District 17 who has dedicated his life to community service as a member of the Kiwanis Club, board member of Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley, a mental health counselor for families and children and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in counseling.

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Lynne Pancrazi

Lynne Pancrazi is a third generation Yuman, a teacher and a realtor. She won election to the State Assembly from District 24 in 2006.

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Lena Saradnik

Lena Saradnik is a state representative from District 26. Before her 2006 election, she worked as the special programs director at the University of Arizona and a long-time activist for progressive issues as a member of the local Democratic Party, union member, and vocal advocate for higher education. She is well organized and has tremendous support from the progressive base in this district.

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Tiffany Troidl

Tiffany Troidl is a product of the Emerge Arizona program and came to Progressive Majority incredibly prepared to run for office. Tiffany has future ambitions to run for Arizona State Legislature and will likely be in the new 15th legislative district when the lines for re-districting are drawn for the 2012 Election Cycle. She is a seasoned campaign professional with experience in field organizing and public relations.

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John Gomez

In 2006, John Gomez ran for a term in the Murphy School Governing Board District No. 21, a district has a wide variety of programs to meet its large minority student population. Before his election, John served on the City of Phoenix Hispanic Advisory Board and GLBT Advisory Board. With his strong background on progressive issues, we are hopeful that the sky is the limit for John.

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Doug Allsworth

Doug Allsworth is a member of the Phoenix Elementary School Governing Board, and a longtime progressive activist in the community. He is a former Marine Corps officer and has served on the board of Planned Parenthood as well as Teach for America. He is an attorney, a phoenix native and was born in this school district. He ran under a progressive platform of educational excellence through retaining quality teachers and community partnership.

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Amy Kobeta

Amy Kobeta is a lifetime progressive advocate and member of the Phoenix Elementary School Governing Board. She began her career in the office of U.S. Senator John Kerry in 1995 and has since been involved professionally with the Democratic Party, Planned Parenthood and several human rights organizations.

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Cristy Lopez

In 2006, Cristy Lopez ran for the Phoenix Union High School Governing Board to replace Harry Garewal who was seeking his 5th two-year term. Garewal's nominating petitions were challenged after the filing deadline, and he was ultimately removed from the ballot after petition signature discrepancies. Cristy is now helping move progressive issues, such as forward safety in the schools, student achievement, and cooperation between the schools and parents. Cristy's win flipped the board to a progressive majority.

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Chris Maza

The Washington Elementary School District Governing Board is fortunate to have Chris Maza. Before his election, Chris was a teacher for 15 years, the last 9 years in Arizona, and he has seen the needs of the education system in his work limited English proficient students.

Chris is also the President of the Paradise Valley School District Education Association, the local American Education Association affiliate. He has lived in the Washington Elementary District for the past 10 years. Chris rounds out the Progressive Majority team running in the Washington Elementary District and is an integral part of our plans to keep a progressive majority on this board.

Click here to support and learn more about Chris.

John Chiang

John Chiang is a California State Controller, elected in 2006. He served as a member of the California State Board of Equalization since 1997, representing the 4th Equalization District. His district is comprised of 8.5 million residents in Los Angeles County. As chairman of the State Board of Equalization and a member of the Franchise Tax board, he is the highest ranking Asian Pacific American elected state official in California.

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Debra Bowen

Debra Bowen is the current California Secretary of State. In 2006, Debra was the only woman running for statewide office in California. She was endorsed by EMILY's List, Sierra Club, California National Organization for Women PAC, and the Association for L.A. Deputy Sheriffs. As chair of the legislature's election committee in the State Senate, Debra supported election reform and she is now pushing an election reform agenda further as Secretary of State.

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Wilmer Amina Carter

Wilmer Carter is a State Representative from District 62. Wilmer's experience in government includes 16 years as a board member for the Rialto Unified School District, and work as a staff member for the late Rep. George Brown. She ran to ensure that schools receive the full amount of money guaranteed by Proposition 98's budget formulas. She also supports school districts having more independence from Sacramento.

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José Solorio

The son of migrant farm workers, José Solorio has gone from laboring in the fields as a teenager alongside his parents to earning a master's degree in public policy from Harvard and was a city councilman in the City of Santa Ana before his election. José is backed by Strengthening Our Lives (SOL), an electoral effort driven by the local SEIU chapter.

In the Assembly, José Solorio is continuing his fight for parks and athletic programs to keep young people out of gangs, maintaining the zoning restrictions at John Wayne Airport, and will demand more money for our public schools. He's also supporting the continuation of part-time positions in public agencies. Part-time positions allow young adults to receive valuable work experience, college students a way to pay for their fees and books, but most importantly, they allow hundreds of working women to also spend more time raising their children. Additionally, he's advocated that some health, sick pay and other benefits be provided for long-time city workers that are employed part-time. "We; need to reward work and help families afford the high cost of living in Orange County", José said.

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Joanne Gilbert

Joanne has been on the Rialto School Board some six years. Prior to that, she was a teacher and educator in public education for 35 years from middle school to adult education. Under Joanne T. Gilbert's tenure, the Rialto School Board has returned to a strong emphasis on visual and performing arts being part of the classroom curriculum, and rebuilding music programs. Additionally, several schools have made great strides in improving their AYP test scores, some as much as 59 points, including one of the schools being named a 2006 California Distinguished School. Joann has a powerful interest in helping Rialto school district students excel academically. Her first term was a time to get to know and understand what are the needs of her district. In her second term, she wants to continue the rise of test scores and add more enrichment programs.

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Abel Guillen

Abel Guillen ran in 2006 because he felt the incumbent, Alona Clifton, was too beholden to interests that are not compatible with the interests of the community college district. As he is young (31), he looks to motivate other young people to get into public service.

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Gail Schwartz

Gail Schwartz has lived in the Western Slope for 32 years and she is the mother of three grown daughters. During the past 30 years, she has devoted most of her public and private life to serving the unique needs of the Western Slope in over a dozen nonprofit, government, and business organizations that focus on helping students graduate, provide rural health care services, and construct affordable housing for working families. She also has tremendous political '' juice.'' Look for big things from Gail.

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John Morse

In 2006, John Morse ran and won in one of the most competitive State Senate districts. John is an impressive candidate with a diverse resume. He has served as a police officer and as a Police Chief for nearly 20 years, worked four years as a CPA, worked as a paramedic in Denver, and ran a $3.3 million nonprofit organization that helps seniors age with dignity and remain independent.

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Gwyn Green

Representative Gwyn Green was the first elected in 2004, is a retired social worker, and lives with her husband Dan in Golden. Prior to being elected to the State House, Gwyn served on the Golden City Council for four years and has been an alternate member of the Denver Regional Council of Governments. At the State House, Gwyn has been an advocate for the environment, education, and health care.

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Andy Kerr

Andy Kerr was appointed to the State House during the 2006 session to fill a vacancy, and won election in the same year. Andy is a teacher in the Jefferson County School system (the largest district in the state) as well as a graduate of Jefferson County Schools. Andy is serving in the State House of Representatives because he deeply believes that most societal issues can be addressed at their early states with a well-rounded and rigorous education. He passionately believes that every child deserves an opportunity to develop their potential, which begins with a quality classroom experience.

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Sara Gagliardi

Sara Gagliardi and her husband Jack have been Arvada residents for 18 years and she has been a registered nurse for over 24 years. Sara has served on the executive board of SEIU Local 105, serving on their executive board, and as a steward for the local chapter. Sara has also been an active member of her community, serving as president of the Arvada Business Women's Association and with the local PTA.

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Debbie Benefield

In 2006, Debbie Benefield was one of the top targets of the Republican education fund, The Trailhead Group, but she came out victorious. In 2002, Debbie lost by approximately 400 votes in an open race for this seat to Bob Briggs. She then defeated Bob Briggs by approximately 400 votes in 2004. Debbie won her election because of her 30-year PTA career where she organized hundreds of parents and served as the Colorado PTA Vice-President.

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Judy Solano

Representative Judy Solano was first elected to the Colorado Legislature in 2004 and was reelected in 2006 in a race against Republican Rex Pierce. Solano taught in the public schools for 29 years and has been a member of the Colorado Education Association, in addition to being a mother and grandmother. She has lived in the 31st District for over 38 years and has been active in the community with groups such as the Colorado Environmental Coalition, the Sierra Club, and a volunteer for the local Meals on Wheels Program and a Americorps VISTA volunteer.

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Ed Casso

Ed Casso was born and raised in Westminster and has a long family history in Adams County. Before his 2006 election, Ed worked in the corporate sector for five years as a customer service manager for Nextel. Ed will apply his customer service skills to make government more streamlined, effective, and make it work for Coloradans. Ed is also a youth counselor at Excelsior Youth Center, where he teaches life skills to at-risk teenage women he works as a substitute elementary teacher. House District 32 consists of Thornton and Commerce City.

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Dianne Primavera

Dianne Primavera is a Colorado native, breast cancer survivor, single mother, and a celebrated leader at the Colorado Health Department. Dianne is a resident and leader in Broomfield where she has raised her two daughters. She has served on the Community Health Advisory Board and on the Victims Compensation Board for Broomfield.

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Cherylin Peniston

Before her 2006 election to the State Assembly, Cherylin Peniston was a retired school teacher from Westminster, Colorado. She is a Colorado native who spent 35 years teaching in the Adams 12 School District, where she also served as president of the local teachers association (the Westminster Education Association). Cherylin ran for the State House of Representatives because she wants to apply her 35 years of teaching experience to improve parental involvement in schools, reduce class sizes to children do not slip through the cracks, and ensure that schools hire qualified, experienced, accountable school teachers.

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Morgan Carroll

State Representative Morgan Carroll was first elected in 2004. As a consumer attorney, Representative Carroll is particularly concerned with protecting Coloradans' financial security, especially health care, and to protecting the rights of military families in her district. She is also dedicated to clean campaigns and lobbying reform.

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Jim Riesberg

Representative Jim Riesberg was first elected in 2004 and quickly became one of the most successful state legislators in recent memory. Jim has lived in the district for the past 26 years with his wife of 40 years, Sharron. He has been involved with multiple community boards and councils such as the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the University of Northern Colorado Libraries Development Advisory Board, and past president of the local AARP chapter.

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John Kefalas

In 2006, John Kefalas challenged incumbent State Representative Bob McCluskey for a second time, and won. In his 30 years in Fort Collins, Kefalas has graduated from Colorado State University, raised his family and worked as a teacher, social worker, employment counselor, public policy advocate for Catholic Charities and the Colorado Progressive Coalition and served as a community organizer. John also served two years in Latin America as a Peace Corps volunteer.

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Randy Fischer

Randy Fischer is a Fort Collins native, the owner and former owner of two small businesses (an engineering firm and a bee hive producer) and a community volunteer. His community involvement includes serving on half a dozen community and citizen boards that have institued a city-wide recycling program, preserved and created additional open space and worked to conserve water in area homes. Randy has been politically active for the past 20 yeas in Fort Collins.

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Dan Gibbs

Dan Gibbs is a State Representative from District 56. Before his 2006 election, Dan worked for Congressman Mark Udall for six years, including serving most recently as District Director, which afforded him unique opportunities to visit with community, political, nonprofit, business, and education leaders in District 56.

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Karen Middleton

Karen Middleton defines what it means to be an active community leader. Over the past 15 years, she has devoted her professional life to improving the quality of children's education by working with nearly half a dozen education organizations or colleges. Before her 2006 election to the board, Karen was the Arapahoe County Democratic Chair and a small business owner. Karen is also married to Aurora City Councilman Larry Beer.

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Steve Ludwig

Steve Ludwig is a proud graduate of the University of Colorado School system and a business and communications consultant. Steve has a long-standing career in media as well. He is a former reporter and volunteer media advisor for the Colorado Springs Professional Fire Fighters Association. In 2006, Steve won his statewide race for CU Regent At-Large. He developed an aptitude for higher education policy when he served as a tri-president of the University of Colorado system, helping to manage a multi-million dollar budget (the largest of any university system in the country). Currently, the CU Regent Board is made up of six Republicans and three Democrats. Steve is a strong progressive voice on the board of regents, standing against conservative attempts to mandate the teaching of intelligent design in Colorodo schools.

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Jean Alberico

Jean Alberico is currently the Garfield Count Clerk and Recorder. Jean is a second generation resident of Garfield County and before her 2006 election, she served as the Deputy Chief Assistant to the Garfield County Clerk and Recorder for 20 years. Jean is a single mother and active member in her church.

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Tresi Houpt

During the past 20 years, Tresi has worked as the Executive Director or served on the Board of Directors for over a dozen nonprofit and community organizations such as Youth Center, which provides after-school activities to at-risk and low-income youth, and a Cuban refugee relocation center.

Prior to being elected Commissioner, Tresi served two terms on the local school board where she helped turn a budget deficit into a surplus, created a long-term strategic plan and helped pass a mill levy that reduced class sizes.

Tresi is a quietly strong incumbent who is extremely knowledgeable about oil, gas, and personal property issues and a champion for open spaces.

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Diane Mitsch Bush

Diane Mitsch Bush is the current Routt County Commissioner. Diane has served as an appointed county official for 11 years on various county citizen committees, such as the Routt County Planning Commission. She has a reputation for being fair, thorough and knowledgeable.

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Jennifer Brunner

Jennifer is one of the most qualified Secretaries of State in Ohio's history. In fact, she is Ohio's first member of a local board of elections to move up to the state's top elections official. She served as the Deputy Director and Legislative Counsel in the Ohio Secretary of State. She then formed a private election law practice with her husband Rick for 13 years. In that practice Jennifer served as special prosecutor for election fraud and the election lawyer to Democratic local, state, and federal candidates. Jennifer was then elected to serve as a Franklin County Judge where she developed and implemented a drug court program that gives non-violent offenders a chance to rehabilitate and turn their lives around.

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Jennifer Brady

Jennifer Brady has lived in the 16th district for past 26 years with her husband and three sons. Before staying home to raise a family, Jennifer worked for the Social Security Administration. Jennifer also enjoys volunteering in her at her children's school and a local hunger center in her spare time. Through her own experiences coming from a long line of union members she has learned how good government affects peoples' lives for the better. Jennifer will fight hard for what is truly important to Ohio's families: well-paying jobs, proper support for schools (pre-K thru 12), access to college for more of our children, and addressing health care costs.

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Frank Dermody

Frank Dermody is the incumbent Representative for the 33rd District, where he has been a strong progressive advocate within the State Legislature. Frank has worked hard on women's' health issues, job creation, and new business development.

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Mike O'Brien

Before his 2006 election to the State Assembly, Mike O'Brien served as Chief of Staff for State Representative Marie Lederer from 1994 to 2004. Mike was a founding member of the Fishtown Neighbors Association and served as its first Zoning Committee chairperson. Mike has served as a Board Member for numerous non-profit organizations, including NCC Neumann, which has created 67 units of affordable senior housing in a historically and architecturally significant former hospital. Mike is a strong progressive and an active member of IBEW Local 98, one of the most powerful unions in the state of Pennsylvania.

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Tony Payton

In 2006, Tony Payton survived a challenge of his nominating petitions and managed to knock all competitors off the ballot in the 179th Legislative District. Tony was running as the underdog in this race against Emilio Vasquez, who had been pre-selected by the district's ward leaders to run. Unbeknownst to them, Tony built a quick base of support, got triple the amount of signatures needed for his petitions. He was asked by the city's Democratic leadership to get out of the race, but he resisted and proved that sitting and waiting for your turn is not the only way to make change. Since they couldn't get him out of the race by asking, the party took its sizeable resources and tried to challenge Tony's petition signatures. Tony responded in-kind and Vasquez got disqualified for failing to report income.

Before his election, Tony was a housing counselor at United Communities in South Philadelphia, the treasurer for the Philadelphians against Santorum campaign, a fellow with the Center for Progressive Leaders, he ran the field campaign for Bryan Lentz's 7th Congressional district race and he was deputy campaign manager in the Seth Williams for DA race. Tony Payton is young and not scared to stand up to machine politics.

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Thomas Blackwell

Rep. Thomas Blackwell is the son of the late community leader and U.S. Rep. Lucien Blackwell and stepson of Philadelphia City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. He began working with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) Local 1332 after graduating from high school and soon rose through the ranks to hold the offices of vice-president and president. After serving a stint as a business agent, he ascended to the office of president in 1992. He has been eyed as rising star and he has a strong desire to continue to develop a progressive political agenda. Thomas Blackwell is a grassroots public servant who continues to develop legislation that speaks to a thorough urban agenda.

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Chris Marr

In 2006, Chris Marr stepped down as President and COO of the Foothills Auto Group, which operates a host of dealerships in the Spokane Area that generate $80 million a year in sales and employs 160 people. Until launching his campaign, he served on the Board of Regents of Washington State University, on the Board of Governors of the Washington State University Foundation, and as Chairman of the Board of Empire Health Services and Inland Northwest Health Services. He has served as Chairman of the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as Chair of the Washington State Transportation Commission (the governing board of the Washington State Dept. of Transportation), and chaired the Transition Committee for Governor-Elect Christine Gregoire in 2004. He was honored with the Washington Environmental Council's 2005 Backyard Hero Award for his leadership efforts in passing state Clean Car legislation. This Senate seat provides a unique opportunity to make Democratic in-roads in Eastern Washington.

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Deb Wallace

Deb and her husband of 26 years, a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, live in Vancouver and have two children who recently graduated from Evergreen High School. Deb has served four years as a Board Member to the Downtown Vancouver Association, including a term as President. Deb currently works for the Columbia River Economic Development Council. Previously, Deb served as a manager at the Washington State Department of Transportation and as Director of Planning & Development for C-Tran. The district is the most conservative one in the state that has a progressive representative elected to it.

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Christine Rolfes

Christine Rolfes served six years on the Bainbridge Island City Council and in 2006 decided to run against conservative Beverly Woods for a 23rd District seat in the state House of Representatives. Christine grew up in New Jersey, holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Virginia and a master's in public administration from the University of Washington. She is married, with two young daughters.

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Kevin VanDeWege

Kevin VanDeWege, a former firefighter/paramedic with Clallam County Fire District 3, won a State Assemby seat in 2006. Kevin will focus on creating family wage jobs on the Olympic Peninsula and making health care affordable and accessible for all. Other campaign issues for Kevin include improving peninsula area highway safety and ensuring quality public schools. Kevin lives in Sequim with his wife Jennifer and their two children. He is the head of his local firefighters union.

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Larry Seaquist

Few state legislators anywhere have as distinguished of a background as Larry Seaquist. Larry, a former US Naval Captain, commanded a number of warships including the battleship USS IOWA during his 32-year career. His ships operated around the world in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea theaters. His also worked as a senior security strategist in the Pentagon.

Larry now lives in Gig Harbor with his wife Carla, and writes and consults about the changing nature of war and peace in a disorderly world. He has appeared as a guest expert in several TV documentaries, on Fox News, Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, and on various national and regional radio talk shows.

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Tami Green

Tami Green, a Registered Nurse of 25 years, is a Representative in the state house representing the 28th District. Tami brings her experience as a nurse, grandmother and community activist to the State Legislature. Tami was endorsed by Progressive Majority in 2004, and narrowly won the election by 235 votes - the closest winning progressive legislative race in the state. She was reelected in 2006.

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Troy Kelley

Troy Kelley is a State Representative, a small business owner (dealing with real estate titles) and teacher who is also an Army Reservist. He lives in Lakewood with his wife and two young children who will attend the public schools.

The 28th is a swing district that we have challenged many times in the past decade but didn't actually win a race until 2004 when Progressive Majority-endorsed Tami Green became the first Democrat to win here since 1992.

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Chris Hurst

After retiring from the Washington State Legislature in 2002 to spend more time with his family, Chris Hurst (a Black Diamond Police officer) is ready to once again represent the citizens of the 31st District. This 25-year police officer and detective is a proud father of an Iraq War veteran, and his wife is a small business owner. During his tenure in the state house, Chris was considered a rising star. At the time he left, he was the only Democrat elected in the district. Now he is back in office and working to enact a progressive agenda.

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John McCoy

John McCoy, who won re-election in the 38th for State Representative, is a Tulalip tribesmember and has been representing the district for two terms. He is the fourth Native American to be elected into the Washington State Legislature since statehood and is currently the only one serving. Over the past two terms, John has made important investments in higher education and health care, helped develop a compromise between business and labor on unemployment insurance, and strengthened Labor & Industries' wage payment regulations.

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Larry Springer

After working as a public school teacher and administrator with the King County Youth Services Department, Larry Springer opened a small business in Kirkland. He was elected to the Kirkland City Council in 1993 and spent 4 years as Mayor. The district's make-up is that of a changing district that has swung from lean-Republican to lean-Democratic. In 2004, Larry received an endorsement from Progressive Majority and was elected to the State House of Representatives. He is currently serving in his second term.

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Geoff Simpson

Geoff Simpson is a Representative for the 47th who has served as a leader on progressive issues despite his conservative-leaning district. His accomplishments as an elected official include creating local family wage jobs, increasing funding for local parks and community colleges and co-sponsoring a bill to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

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Deb Eddy

Deb Eddy moved to the 48th District in 1980 and was a founding board member and early volunteer for the Eastside Domestic Violence Program. In the late 1980s, Deb helped establish the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods, shortly after her neighborhood was annexed into the city. In 1993, she decided to run for Kirkland city council. Deb served six years as a councilmember, two as mayor. In 1999, she retired from the Kirkland council to take on the directorship of Suburban Cities Association, representing 37 King County cities with a population of almost 800,000. She has served on a variety of nonprofit boards, including the Eastside Domestic Violence Program, Suburban Cities Association and the Municipal League of Seattle-King County. Most recently, she helped found Washington Appleseed, a nonprofit devoted to providing new opportunities for attorneys to work on social justice issues. She works as a policy and public involvement consultant. Deb holds degrees from West Virginia University and the University of North Carolina. She has been married for 27 years to her husband Jon and has three grown children and two grandchildren.

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Steve Stuart

Steve Stuart, a former environmental lobbyist and Executive Director for a Smart Growth Environmental group in Washington, was appointed to his seat on the Clark County Commission in 2005. With the help of Progressive Majority in 2005, Steve won the right to finish the term - maintaining a Democratic Majority on the Commission. In 2006, Steve won reelection. He is the most progressive of the three commissioners, with a conservative Democrat and a conservative Republican also serving. Steve has a proven track record as a hard campaigner and an excellent fundraiser.

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John Dean

John Dean won his 2006 race for Island County Commissioner. Before his election, he was editor and associate publisher of the Stanwood/Camano NEWS after a 25-year career in journalism. He has two step-children, one adorable grandchild and his wife Julie is a nurse at Skagit Valley Hospital. John has lived on Camano Island for over 30 years; he helped raise children here and actively volunteered for many community organizations.

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Tom Nelson

Returning Progressive Majority farm team member and State Representative Tom Nelson was the only Democratic challenger to defeat a Republican incumbent in 2004 and he won again in 2006. Tom has never stopped knocking on doors since his first election and is primed to keep this seat in Wisconsin's Fox Valley for yet another term.

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Ann Hraychuck

Ann Hraychuck won her 2006 race against conservative Republican incumbent Mark Pettis. Hraychuck has 32 years of public service with the Polk County Sheriff's Department, the last five years as Sheriff. She is the recipient of a multitude of commendations from local, state, and national law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and child advocacy organizations for her work in the sensitive crimes arena and has been a leader in fighting methamphetamine. She has also served on numerous county, state, and national committees. Ann lives with her 17 year old stepson, Davey, and her husband, retired Frederic Chief of Police David Hraychuck. Ann, David, and Davey are all avid sportspeople and love to hunt and fish. In fact, Ann was the first female President of the Polk County Sportsmen's Club and chairs the annual Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities with her family.

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Andy Jorgensen

Andy Jorgensen won his 2006 election to the State Assembly from District 37. Andy is a well known former radio personality at WFAW's morning show ''Andy Arbuckle'' and is a UAW member working at the local GM plant. Andy has been active in his children's school, Luther Elementary and his family's congregation, Trinity Lutheran. He and his wife Toni and their three children live in Fort Atkinson.

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Kim Hixson

Before he won election to the State Assembly in 2006, Kim was a City Council member, an associate professor at UW-Whitewater and has served on a number of community boards including the Planning Commission, Community Development Authority, Downtown Revitalization Group, and Main Street Safety Task Force.

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Phil Garthwaite

Phil Garthwaite won his 2006 race against conservative Republican incumbent Gabe Loeffelholz. Phil was raised on a fifth-generation family farm in the district and was the Farm Director for a local radio station. Phil's grandfather was a respected author on the subject of farm life and the family name is well known.

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Steve Hilgenberg

Steve Hilgenberg won his 2006 challenge of conservative Republican incumbent Steve Freese. Steve is an Army veteran and a retired small business owner. He is a former Dodgeville School Board Member and a former softball coach and basketball referee. He and his wife Mary are very active in the community and live in Dodgeville.

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Gordon Hintz

In 2006, Gordon Hintz won a rematch contest against conservative Gregg Underheim for the State Assembly seat in the 54th district. Gordon has worked in congressional politics and holds a Master's Degree from the Lafollette School of Public Affairs and has worked for a number of years on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of local government. He is an instructor at UW-Oshkosh and the son of a former Oshkosh Mayor.

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Cory Mason

Cory Mason has worked for years as an advocate on legal, environmental, education, and labor issues, most recently for the American Federation of Teachers (AFT-Wisconsin). Before his 2006 election, Cory sat on the board of the River Alliance of Wisconsin and the advisory board for Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention.

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Jim Soletski

Jim Soletski of Green Bay worked in the utilities industry for 33 years before winning his race for State Assembly in 2006. He and his family have been very involved in their church and school activities.

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Jeff Smith

In 2004, then-Town of Brunswick Chair Jeff Smith garnered almost 48% of the vote against a conservative incumbent, Rob Kreibich, in his bid for the State Assembly. In a 2006 rematch, Jeff defeated the incumbent and is now in his first term in the State Assembly. Jeff runs a small business and founded the Eau Claire Schools Parent Advisory Council.

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