Latest Dean Dozen, next to the last group for this election cycle.

[madfloridian]

http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/004932.html
First they list how others have done so far:
SNIP..."The Dean Dozens are off, running... and winning! Since our last announcement several Dean Dozen candidates have crossed major milestones and made major headlines.

Dean Dozen candidates played important roles at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, with United States Senate candidate Barack Obama and Congressional candidate Steve Brozak delivering keynote addresses.

In Georgia, Judge Gail Tusan fought back a conservative onslaught and won re-election on July 20. Following her support of equal rights for gay and lesbian couples, State Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan was challenged in a primary, and won with 87% of the vote.

In North Carolina, Debra Sasser won her place on the Wake County District Court general election ballot and State Senate candidate Julia Boseman won the Democratic primary for the 9th District.

In Missouri, Maria Chappelle-Nadal won her closely fought primary to become the Democratic nominee for the 72nd State House District.

Then they list the new Dean Dozen.
Regis Leiss for Nevada State Assembly. Regis followed Governor Dean's call for progressive candidates to run against ultra conservatives and decided to oppose a third-term right-wing extremist. The district is tough, but Regis is fighting back door-to-door for important causes: keeping nuclear waste off Nevada roads, improving school funding and clean alternative energy sources. This grandmother in tennis shoes is going to fight for a better future for Nevada's children. www.regisleiss4assembly.com

John Lynch for Governor of New Hampshire. As Governor, John Lynch will rid New Hampshire state government of Enron-style ethics; work to make sure every child has health insurance; strengthen New Hampshire's commitment to education; and work to make college more affordable. www.johnlynch04.com

Betty Castor for United States Senate from Florida. In addition to being the best of the Democratic candidates in the primary, Betty is also the target of some horrible "independent expenditure" campaigns (much like Howard Dean was the victim of such low-ball tactics during the Iowa caucuses). Her campaign is bringing the people of Florida together, but she needs national support to keep the seat Democratic. www.bettynet.com

Peter Clavelle for Governor of Vermont. Mayor Clavelle is campaigning hard to fill the office once held by Governor Howard Dean. Focusing on health care and the Republican incumbent's failure to deliver on this issue, Peter has a real chance to return the Vermont governorship to Democratic control. www.clavelleforgovernor.com

Bob Ayala for Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff. It's time to change sheriffs in Maricopa County. And Bob Ayala is the candidate with the experience and the platform to make that change. In a state as important as Arizona in this election, local races like Bob's are what will make the difference in the national drive to get out the vote. www.bobayalaforsheriff.com

Patsy Keever for Congress from North Carolina. Retired public school teacher Patsy Keever needs your help today. The Republican incumbent in the 11th Congressional District is a rubber stamp for George W. Bush... and we can change that. Democracy for America joins the grassroots of Democracy for North Carolina in enthusiastically backing Patsy Keever in her race to take back North Carolina. www.keeverforcongress.com

Lyla Berg, Pono Chong and Josh Green for State Representative in Hawaii. Two years ago, for the first time in half a century, Hawaii elected a Republican Governor. The only thing that stands in the way of the governor's assault on important issues is a thin majority in the Hawaii State Legislature, capable of overriding her vetoes. Three outstanding candidates who are running to unseat ultra-conservative Republican incumbents in the Hawaii State House have the progressive values to protect Hawaii's democratic tradition. Lyla Berg, a school teacher, principal, PhD, and nonprofit coordinator is running to replace a Republican who voted against collective bargaining and the rights of public school teachers. Pono Chong, a young progressive of Native Hawaiian ancestry, with deep roots in the community and a commitment to local public schools is running against a Republican incumbent who defends the policies of George W. Bush. And Josh Green, M.D., a rural doctor and community activist who has worked to stop the spread of AIDS in Africa and now practices medicine in underserved areas of Hawaii is running against a Republican incumbent who is among the most conservative in the state. www.lylaberg.com, www.ponochong.com, www.joshgreen.org

Suzanne Williams for Colorado State Senate. Democracy for Colorado supports socially progressive, fiscally responsible candidates who speak honestly and represent their constituents, not the special interests. State Representative Suzanne Williams is running for the State Senate to bring a moderate, mainstream balance back to the Colorado legislature. A retired special education teacher, Suzanne has spent the last eight years fighting to fully fund public education, aid small and new businesses, and keep our communities safe. A win here and the Democrats take control of the state senate! www.suzannewilliamsforsenate.com

Deborah Heinrich for State Representative in Connecticut. Deborah Heinrich is running in the 101st district, representing Madison and parts of North Guilford. She is running on a strong platform of fully funding the education system and addressing the environmental concerns of her community. Let's help get the 101st back on track, by sending Deb to Hartford! www.deborahheinrich.com

Mary Jo Kilroy for Franklin County, Ohio Commissioner. After surprising the pundits four years ago, Mary Jo is running for re-election. It will be close. But this is an important race nationally because Mary Jo can turn out the Democratic vote in this swing county of this swing state in this critical election. www.maryjokilroy.com

Let's get to work for these great candidates!

A final important note: The last edition of the Dean Dozen for 2004 will be announced the week of August 23. If your favorite candidate hasn't been endorsed yet, be certain he or she completes the Democracy for America candidate questionnaire. The nomination period closes August 14.

Posted by Tom McMahon at 05:25 PM

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. I'm off and running....!

Thanks for posting! :hi:

[Cha]

2. This is really thrilling news...Dean has certainly taken

the page on grassroots and put it to the test.

[Kanary]

3. Question of information about how these candidates are chosen,

since I'm not familiar with any of this. This is NOT flame material..... simply request for info.

"In addition to being the best of the Democratic
candidates in the primary, Betty is also the target of some horrible "independent expenditure"
campaigns "

I guess I had the assumption that only those candidates who were running against a repunk would get this assistance. This quote from the letter makes it sound like Dems who are running against other Dems can also qualify. Is this accurate?

Kanary

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. Yes, primary elections were included. The candidates fill out a

questionaire provided by Democracy for America and the Dean Dozen are chosen from that. :hi:

[Kanary]

6. When were those questionaires due?

It's all too late now, but I'm curious.

Thanks for the info.

Kanary, just sad at what could have been.

[madfloridian]

9. Here is the questionnaire, there is one more dozen coming out.

On August 23. Still time to apply.

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/candidates/form.php

[Kanary]

10. Oh, it's too late, but I was curious.

Just grieving one more great lost opportunity.

:cry:

Thanks for the info.....

Kanary

[madfloridian]

7. Usually they do not step in during primaries. This case is different.

At least it is in my mind. Castor is being accused of very unjust things about Sami Al Arian's professorship at USF when she was president there. It is totally untrue, she did the best she could as she could not get info from the FBI.

In addition the same candidate is filing a suit because she is being supported by Emily's List. Which is a ridiculous thing.

There is a group with an anti-Castor theme which appears to be accusing her of anti-semitism. It is an ugly thing to see.

Also she was Commissioner of Education during the days of enlightened learning in Florida. She did a good job.

The others did themselves in on these issues.

[madfloridian]

8. Even Graham and Nelson have asked the other candidates to keep it clean.

It could get very ugly.
Here is an article from the Bradenton Herald about their request.

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/local/9375155.htm

SNIP..."The Deutsch campaign has launched repeated attacks at Castor's campaign because of its support by Emily's List, a fund-raising network which works to elect Democratic, pro-abortion rights women to public office. He has said Emily's List is trying to buy the election.

Deutsch made his accusations months after a friend of his set up an independent group solely to criticize Castor for failing to rid the University of South Florida of suspected terrorist fund-raisers. Castor was president of the university when it became publicly known in the mid-1990s the FBI was investigating ties between Sami Al-Arian and others to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

SNIP...."In other campaign news, Castor was endorsed Wednesday by former presidential candidate Howard Dean, who said Castor's health care agenda would help expand coverage for families.

Dean, the former Vermont governor who was once the Democratic front-runner, touted Castor's work as state education commissioner to develop Florida's Healthy Kids initiative, which helped provide health insurance for thousands of children. "Betty Castor's vision brought health care to 300,000 Florida children through her Healthy Kids initiative. Her plan to transform Healthy Kids into Healthy Families will offer quality, affordable health care to more Americans," Dean said in a statement....."

[freetobegay]

4. Betty Castor has done nothing but...

...good for the State of Florida! I will cast my vote for her with glee!