Good news from Democracy for America:
Dean founded org adds Harder, Mason to top program; Quarni to Next Wave
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Today, Democracy for America (DFA) is elevating James Harder (VA-12) and Monty Mason (VA- 93) to fill the final two positions in its 2013 slate of five Purple to Blue Premier candidates in Virginia.
In addition to Harder and Mason, DFA’s other Purple to Blue Premier candidates are Kathleen Murphy (VA-34), Jennifer Boysko (VA-86) and John Bell (VA-87).
“After beating back Richmond’s far right on transvaginal ultrasounds and recent battles in the state houses of Texas and North Carolina over even more stridently anti-women legislation, Virginians know what’s at stake in this year’s election and they’re ready to fight back,” said Gov. Howard Dean, founder of Democracy for America and former chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Previously, Harder and Mason had been endorsed by DFA as Purple to Blue Next Wave candidates, but the strong voter outreach and fundraising programs each campaign has run over the early summer months coupled with the growing weakness of their opponents has warranted their moving up to the top tier of DFA’s Purple to Blue races in the Old Dominion.
“With James Harder and Monty Mason on board we now have a slate of Purple to Blue Premier candidates who Democracy for America’s 21,000 members in Virginia are already taking action, making calls and knocking on doors to ensure they beat their right-wing enabling opponents in November,” said Kyran McCann, DFA’s Purple to Blue Project State Director in Virginia.
Launched in March, DFA’s Purple to Blue Project is a national, multi-year effort to win state House and Senate chambers across the country by making so-called “purple” state legislative seats decisively Democratic. In 2013, DFA is committed to spending well over $750,000 to elect its five Purple to Blue Premier candidates in Virginia.
DFA is also announcing the addition of Atif Quarni (VA-13) to its Purple to Blue Next Wave program.
Candidates endorsed through the Next Wave program are fighting on turf that’s historically been more difficult for Democrats, but simply can’t be ignored because we know that smart, people-powered progressive campaigns those districts can win.
Other Purple to Blue Next Wave races include Jeremy McPike (VA-31) and Jasper Hendricks (VA-60)
Key Facts about the Purple to Blue Project & Democracy for America:
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In 2013, DFA will spend well over $750,000 on its five Purple to Blue Premier delegate races alone
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In addition to firing up volunteer boots on the ground for all of its endorsed races in Virginia, the project will run a tightly targeted paid field, mail and media program in its five Premier races.
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DFA’s complete slate of Purple to Blue Premier are:
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James Harder (VA-12)
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Kathleen Murphy (VA-34)
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Monty Mason (VA- 93)
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Jennifer Boysko (VA-86)
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John Bell (VA-87)
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DFA’s Purple to Blue Next Wave endorsed candidates are:
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Atif Quarni (VA-13)
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Jeremy McPike (VA-31)
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Jasper Hendricks (VA-60)
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In its Purple to Blue Next Wave endorsed races DFA will make both short and long-term investments in the grassroots infrastructure of the district that, over time, will turn them from red to purple to blue.
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DFA has over 21,000 members in Virginia and nearly 1 million members nationwide.
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