Ledger endorses our Dean-inspired congressional candidate.

[madfloridian]

This is just great. We are so proud of Jeff. He is a novice at running for office, and he has no paid staff at all. We all stumped for petition signatures, and got more than we needed here. His primary opponent is basically a Republican.
There is a forum tonight sponsored by I-4 Corridor Democrats, Kerry/Edwards group, and Democracy for America members here. I just posted it separately. Here is Jeff's website:
www.jeffsiemerforcongress.com

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040819/NEWS/408190358/1036/EDIT

SNIP..."The two candidates in the Democratic primary have just as divergent views as the Republican contenders. Bob Hagenmaier, 65, retired from his job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture research station in Winter Haven this year. He says he is a social conservative who opposes abortion and same-sex marriage. He favors allowing the importation of prescription medicines from Canada and says the Republican-passed tax cuts should be reversed for all but the poorest of Americans.

Jeff Siemer, 35, is a financial-software consultant with a background in banking and finance. He is pro-choice on abortion rights; he says he has been in a monogamous gay relationship for six years.

The same-sex-marriage question should be a nonfactor instead of a presidential-campaign issue, he argues....."

[WI_DEM]

1. Excellent

Good job down there in Florida.

[madfloridian]

2. Thanks. We are so proud of Jeff.

This is a huge step here in the conservative area in which we live. To have a pro-choice, gay candidate endorsed above one who is anti-everything is quite a step.

[madfloridian]

3. Jeff will be speaking and having a Q&A at this event tonight.

SNIP..."7:30 p.m. •
The I-4 Corridor Association • meets the 3rd Thursday of the month. The I-4 Corridor Association and the Democracy for America of Polk County have planned their forum for U.S. Congressional candidates from districts along the I 4 Corridor. The forum will include questions from the audience so please come, share in this forum, and meet your candidates. Bring your family, neighbors, coworkers, and friends to make this the informative success it promises to be. Venue: The First Baptist Institutional Church, 932 Dr. Martin Luther King Avenue, Lakeland. It is at the S.W. corner of M. L. K. Avenue and US 92 (Memorial Blvd), the first light west of South Florida Avenue. To find out more about the organization, contact Fred Williams in Tampa, toll free at [phone], or James Neal in Lakeland at [phone]." END SNIP

The local Kerry/Edwards group has combined with the I-4 Corridor and Democracy for America to sponsor this event.

Much of the attendance here will be curtailed because of storm damage, lack of power which will keep many away. Hoping for a good group though.