For Immediate Release
June 3, 2004
Week of June 3, 2004
Kalyn Free makes the Dean's List
Former federal prosecutor and district attorney Kalyn Free of Oklahoma is running in the open 2nd congressional district. She has been named to the Dean Dozen, former presidential candidate Howard Dean's list of progressive candidates committed to reducing the influence of special interests in government. This will open new avenues of support for Free, who faces the well-connected son of a former senator and governor in the race for this open, safely Democratic seat. The Democratic primary is July 27; if no candidate wins 50 percent, there will be a run-off four weeks later.
The youngest attorney hired by the U.S. Department of Justice, Free would be the first Native American woman ever to serve in the U.S. Congress. She has spent her entire career fighting on behalf of women, children and the environment. Her primary opponent, Dan Boren, boasts a much weaker resume but an impressive list of political and fundrais ing contacts from his father's David's tenure in the U.S. Senate and as governor of Oklahoma.
Free has also secured endorsements from Wilma Mankiller, former chief of the Cherokee Nation; the Native American Times; more than 80 American Indian tribes; and several labor unions, including the Amalgamated Transit Union, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and the American Federation of Teachers.
Bogus GOP complaint against EMILY's List dismissed
Gubernatorial candidate Christine Gregoire playing catch-up in fundraising
Republicans in Washington State launched a power play they hoped would block EMILY's List members from supporting Christine Gregoire's campaign for governor. But they were dealt an embarrassing rebuke two weeks ago when the Public Disclosure Commission threw out their frivolous complaint - clearing the path for EMILY's List members to contribute to Gregoire's campaign.
One of the most powerful and respected attorney generals in the country, Gregoire leads her likely GOP opponent, Dino Rossi, in public polls. But as a state official, Gregoire was required to forgo fundraising for four months to comply with Washington state law. Rossi, until recently a state senator, resigned his seat, allowing him to evade the same law. He managed to surpass Gregoire's fundraising during those months, but she's catching up fast. However, with national Republicans pledging to raise millions for Rossi, Gregoire needs substantial support to overcome his fundraising advantage.
Help EMILY's List deliver victory for pro-choice Democratic women
This past Tuesday, EMILY's List helped mobilize women throughout South Dakota who helped Stephanie Herseth win a critical special election to become the first woman from South Dakota to serve in the U.S. House. Just five weeks earlier, EMILY's List brought thousands of women to th e polls in Pennsylvania's 13th district in the April 27 primary to help Allyson Schwartz win the Democratic nomination for Congress in a tough swing seat.
These victories show us that EMILY's List WOMEN VOTE! can make the decisive difference in hard-fought elections. By taking intensive WOMEN VOTE! campaigns into 12 crucial states, including Washington, South Dakota, and Oklahoma, we can turn out the women voters who'll make the difference for pro-choice Democratic women candidates and every Democrat on the ticket, including the presidential nominee, on November 2.
To execute our full nationwide strategy, EMILY's List needs to invest $10 million in WOMEN VOTE!. You can help fund this critical effort by contributing today with a gift of $100, $250, or even $1,000.
Democrats everywhere are relying on EMILY's List to mobili ze women voters to lift Democrats up and down the ticket. We must build a strong campaign to ensure victories, from the White House all the way down to the state house. Make your contribution today!