Our Hearts Go Out to Jim and his Family

by: philgoblue

Sun Oct 12, 2008 at 15:39:27 PM EDT

Jim Hahn decides to stay in the race for 79th District

Candidate for State Representative, Jim Hahn, has made the decision to stay in the race for the 79th District. After suffering the untimely loss of his wife Bev last week, Hahn says that she would want him to see it through.

"Bev was so energized by this campaign, and the important issues at stake. We need to stop the destruction of our manufacturing base through unfair tax laws. We need to reassess our underfunded public educational system. We have an energy policy that essentially lines the pockets of big oil companies and a health care system that leaves almost 50 million people uninsured. She knew how important this district is to me and if you knew Bev, she most definitely would want me to continue, and I will continue this race in her honor," says Hahn.

Help Out Judy

by: philgoblue

Wed Oct 01, 2008 at 20:18:23 PM EDT

A Note From Judy

Hi Everyone,

On this first day of October, we are on our way to the final countdown to Election Day 2008 and I need your help.  Seriously, while we are well organized and have great volunteers, we need every single supporter to work extra hard until November 4th.

Please consider the following suggestions:
* Begin wearing your Judy buttons (available in Union Pier, Buchanan, Cassopolis, and  Niles offices.)  Wear your T-shirts if you have them.
* Put out your yard signs.  Encourage your family and friends to put out signs.  Call the office (269-683-8500) and we will deliver to addresses you give us.
* Begin talking about 'Judy' to everyone you know.  Tell them it is time for the PEOPLE of the 78th to be represented by someone who truly understands their concerns and the needs of our district.
* Suggest that they vote a straight Democratic ticket this year.
* Here is a HUGE one . . . could you give us a couple of hours a week to come into the office to phone bank with other volunteers?  If making calls from home is more convenient, you can pick up phone banking lists to take home and then bring back after you make calls.  THIS IS A CRITICAL NEED.  WE HAVE MANY VOTERS TO CALL.
* Mention to your children and grandchildren that you are voting for me.  Kids like to know that you are involved in this important election.  

Meet Jim Hahn (SH-079)

by: philgoblue

Thu Jul 31, 2008 at 14:00:00 PM EDT

Dear Fellow Berrien County Democrats,

My name is Jim Hahn and I am running for State representative from the 79th District. I'd like to share with you my positions on a few issues that are important to you and the future of Michigan.

Background

I'm 52 years old and a lifelong resident of Berrien County being born and raised in Benton Harbor. My talented wife Bev and I have been married for 27 wonderful years. Our lovely daughter, Kelsey, attends Kalamazoo College. We have lived in Stevensville for the past 25 years.

I'm a skilled tradesman, careers educator, and proud member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters for 34 years. After working over 20 years as a carpenter in commercial construction, I moved into the world of career education, and over the past 13 years I have helped to turn the Michigan Carpenters Apprenticeship Program into one of the best in the nation. We operate five training centers throughout Michigan, covering 78 counties, including Berrien.

Throughout the state, I've worked with contractors, government agencies, community colleges, community groups, business owners and unions to create a training program that is second to none. I have managed multi-million dollar budgets and labor/management issues in a large and competitive industry. I have a reputation throughout Michigan's construction industry as an innovator and problem solver.

I'm running for State Representative because it's time we sent a representative to Lansing who understands the concerns of middle class working families: declining wages, unaffordable health care, and out of reach college expenses.

Granholm Tours Benton Harbor

by: philgoblue

Wed Jul 30, 2008 at 16:43:58 PM EDT

I Love A Parade!

by: philgoblue

Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 09:54:48 AM EDT

The Democratic Party float -- the Cooney campaign gave out white, campaign balloons -- a fantastic idea that gets kids to want you to come over to them and allows you to hand lit to the parents and make the kids happy which makes the parents happy and everyone leaves with good feelings.  Candy works as well, but make sure you use union-made candy -- Jolly Ranchers hold up well in the sun and are union candy -- Meijer usually stocks big bags.

You can see that Judy Truesdell marched as did the Obama folks, the South Berrien County Democrats were on hand as well.

There are more photos from the Flag Day parade at Cooney's flickr site.

The day before, Cooney and Carol Higgins (candidate for State House District 59: Cass and St. Joseph counties) were at a Peace March in Cassopolis. Cooney spoke on the individual toll the war is taking on our soldiers while Higgins discussed the need to invest in alternative energy as a way to solve many of Michigan's and America's problems.  The Niles Daily Star has an article with long quotations from their speeches.

Volunteer for July 4th Parades!
Do those photos look like fun?  Well, the big parades of the campaign season is the upcoming July 4th (as I like to call it -- Revolution Day) parades.  Campaigns are gearing up and always want a big contingent of marchers to show off to the public.   So, you should be a part of their efforts.  I'll try to keep a list and I do have info below for Muskegon, Grand Rapids/Kentwood, and Fife Lake, but the best thing to do is contact a local candidate through their website.  Parades are an easy way to get involved in a campaign.  You really just have to old a sign, smile and maybe toss candy, and for this you get a big thank you and, usually, a free t-shirt.  It's an easy way to help and get to know the candidate and their staff and then think about getting more involved later.  Plus, it's just a fun high to be in a parade.

Judy Truesdell (SH-78) Outlines Economic Plan and Receives Key Endorsements

by: philgoblue

Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:55:45 AM EDT

Judy Truesdell, Democratic state representative candidate for the 78th District, has received early key endorsements from the Electrical Workers Local 153, the United Steelworkers (District 2, AFL-CIO), the Construction Laborer's Local Union 355, and MI List, a statewide organization dedicated to electing Democratic women to key state and local offices.

Why? Because Judy understands what's at stake in 2008:

"Michigan is at a crossroads.  It is time to we work together to build an economy that brings back our disappearing middle class and a secure future for everyone."

IBEW 153 wrote this in their endorsement letter:

"The time for change in Michigan is now.  Judy Truesdell is the kind of representative that will tear down the wall of partisanship and get the job done, not for self-promotion, not for party line, but for the citizens of Southwestern Michigan."

MI List director, Barb Ryan Fuller Truesdell wrote that her organization was supporting Truesdell because:

"Healthy families make for a motivated and resilient workforce essential to Michigan's economic rebound."

"I am honored to be endorsed by these organizations.  For decades, the men and women in our unions have worked hard to set working standards for ALL of us.  After all, this led to the creation of our once great middle class.  That is why I stand with them."

On the heels of these endorsements, Truesdell unveiled her economic plan which clearly calls for the return of the once thriving middle class -- "the backbone of our country," says Truesdell:

"Urgent action is needed to improve the economy.  Our middle class and working poor must no longer be squeezed by the essentials including gas, health care, college costs and now even food. Someplace between budget breaking entitlements and total self-reliance of individuals and working families, there are steps to bridge the gap so that we can focus our attention of attracting new companies and the jobs they can bring.  But it is going to take a commitment of both sides to work together on finding solutions."