2008 POP Primary Results
September 20th Hawaii POP Victories
State Senator Roz Baker has represented the people of Maui County in the Hawaii State Legislature for 16 years serving in a variety of leadership positions. She currently represents the 5th Senate District (South and West Maui) and is Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Baker is a long-time advocate for issues that affect the quality of life for the average person; she also has an abiding concern for the preservation of the health and beauty of Hawaii’s natural resources. Baker faced a Democratic challenger, Bart Mulvihill, in the primary on Saturday and will now face off with Republican challenger Jan Shields in November.
September 9th Rhode Island POP Victories
After a long and heated primary battle, Grace Diaz, the first Dominican to be elected to a state legislature in the United States, defeated her Democratic primary opponent. Diaz will go on to serve her third term representing this solid Democratic district. Diaz represents one of only two majority minority districts in the Rhode Island House. She came to America with just $40 in her pocket and has built a successful child care business employing hundreds of women. Diaz provides outstanding constituent service and is one of the only members in the Rhode Island House with a neighborhood office.
September 9th Wisconsin POP Victories
Trish O'Neil won her primary in the 47th Assembly District on Tuesday with 62% of the vote. She won a hard fought primary against the former mayor of Lodi, WI. She goes on to fight the winner of the Republican primary in the November general election. This seat is a Democratic one in presidential years but it has been held by a Republican since Democrats lost the seat in 1990. O'Neil has worked as a Registered Nurse for 19 years including stints as hospital staff nursing, home health, clinic nursing and management, outpatient settings and diabetic education. She is the co-owner and manager, with her husband, of a private Family Practice Clinic.
Sandy Pasch won her primary in Milwaukee's 22nd Assembly District with 37% of the vote yesterday. In addition to teaching at Columbia College of Nursing for 15 years, Pasch has experience bringing diverse groups together as coordinator of Milwaukee's Crisis Intervention Team and founder of the Crisis Intervention Partner program. She fought off three male opponents in the primary, including Dan Kohl, who is the nephew of U.S. Senator Herb Kohl. She has no serious general election opponent; so she will likely be the Representative from the 22nd Assembly district as of the November 4th election.
Yesterday was a successful one for Judy Reas in the primary for the 87th Assembly District in northern Wisconsin. She won her primary with 79% of the vote. She goes on to face incumbent Republican Mary Williams in the November general election. Reas worked at the local hospital for almost 20 years, as a legal assistant in Phillips for five years, in home care for over six years, and is currently employed as a Member Service Representative at Northwoods Community Credit Union.
On Tuesday, Kelda Helen Roys won her primary in the 81st Assembly District with 31% of the vote. Roys is a life-long resident of the 81st district and a proven progressive leader, working in many areas to advance progressive values and expand access to health care for women. Kelda has spent four years as Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, the state's leading reproductive health political advocacy organization. Kelda faced five male challengers in the primary and she claimed a decisive victory by knocking on doors and raising money to run a professional mail program. She will likely go on to win the general election in this traditionally Democratic district and become the representative from the 81st.
Representative Christine Sinicki won her primary challenge on Tuesday with 61% of the vote. Her involvement with her children's education led her to a life of civil engagement and public service. She is a former PTA member and President. After learning first-hand the issues facing public education, she ran successfully for Milwaukee Public School Board in 1991. Christine served on the school board until 1998, when she was elected to the state assembly. In her Milwaukee district, she will not face a Republican challenger in the general election so she will continue to represent the 20th Assembly district in the state legislature.
August 26th Florida POP Victories
Eleanor Sobel, State Senate, District 31
A proven champion on progressive issues including health care and choice, Eleanor Sobel won a competitive three-way primary in Broward County with 35.4% of the vote. With experience as a state representative, city commissioner, and a member of the school board, Sobel is expected to win the general election in this Democratic seat and will jump right in to efforts in Tallahassee that will reform education, create jobs, and provide improved access to health care.
Betty Reed, State Representative Florida House 59
Freshman House member Betty Reed soundly defeated her primary opponent and will serve a second term in the Florida House representing District 59 in Tampa Bay. In her first term, Reed fought hard to obtain money for projects in the district, bringing home over three million dollars for projects including research on infant mortality, monies to assist in suicide prevention, and a water project.
August 19th Washington POP Victories
Dr. Terry Bergeson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Incumbent (6-way primary)
In 1993, Dr. Bergeson was appointed executive director of the Washington State Commission on Student Learning. As executive director, Dr. Bergeson was charged with developing statewide standards for students, as well as a series of tests students must pass prior to graduation. She served as executive director until 1996, when she ran for and was elected as state superintendent of public instruction. She continues her pledge to transform the teaching profession in Washington State, and to ensure all students achieve a diploma that prepares them for success in the 21st century.
Margaret Haugen, Senate District 10, Incumbent
Mary Margaret Haugen was elected to the state house in 1982. She established herself as a tough, honest, hardworking legislator who always puts her district first. She has served in the state senate since 1993, where she is Chair of the Senate Transportation and Co-Chair of the Joint Transportation committees and serves on the Rules and the Consumer Protection and Housing committees.
Judi Owens, Senate District 4, Challenger
Judi Owens has spent over 18 years working for the Central Valley School District. She has served on the Liberty Lake City Council since 2001 and was instrumental in establishing the city's first library. As a councilmember she served on the Finance Committee when city taxes were lowered three times in five years. She also served on the Public Safety Committee and oversaw the creation of the Police Department, helping to improve public safety in the community.
Debbi Srail, Senate District 28, Challenger Debi Srail has lived most of the past 53 years within the 28th District, where she and her husband, John, have raised their three children. Debi currently teaches in the University Place School District at both Curtis Junior High and High School. She holds a Master's in Public Administration and Teaching, as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. In addition to working in the school district, Debi served as her union President for four and a half years.
Kim Abel, House District 26, Open Seat
Prior to serving as Mayor of Port Orchard, Kim Abel earned her law degree and served as the Air Quality Chair for the Sierra Club in Los Angeles. She was also appointed as the Chair of the South Coast Air Quality Management Hearings Board where she fought for cleaner air standards in her local community.
Carol Gregory, House District 30, Challenger Carol Gregory, a former schoolteacher and current director of the South King County non-profit, Burst for Prosperity, is a born-and-raised Washingtonian and has lived in Federal Way for 25 years and King County for 45 years. She has extensive experience in education, government and community leadership.
Liz Loomis, House District 44, Incumbent by Appointment
Liz Loomis was appointed to the House of Representatives on January 7, 2008, and elected by fellow lawmakers to the post of Assistant Whip. Her committee assignments include Transportation, Agriculture & Natural Resources and Insurance, Financial Institutions & Consumer Protection Committee. Prior to her appointment, Loomis served as Mayor of Snohomish.
Marcie Maxwell, House District 41, Open Seat
Marcie Maxwell is a successful business woman -- a real estate agent since 1989 and has achieved the recognition as top 1% in sales nationwide. Her prior experience includes more than a dozen years as an Assistant Vice President as a branch manager for a savings bank. She was elected for two terms on the Renton School Board and served on the Kennydale Neighborhood Association and the Highland Task Force.
Vicki Ybarra, House District 14, Open Seat (7-way primary)
Vicky Ybarra is a registered nurse and has worked in health care in the district for the past 19 years. She started her work in the community as a public health nurse and got to know the community through home visits and setting up programs to serve young families. Ybarra is an elected member of the Yakima School Board for the past six years, and board president for the past three.
August 12th Colorado POP Victories
In House District 22, Camille Ryckman, a native to the Jefferson County district, won easily with 83% of the vote. Camille believes in lifelong learning and educational opportunity. She will take that belief and her experience as a life-long teacher into a tough race against incumbent Ken Summers this November.
Sue Schafer, running in House District 24, won a nail biter primary yesterday by 17 votes out of almost 5,000 cast. Schafer, a teacher, school administrator, mother, politically active citizen, Colorado resident and church member for over thirty years, currently works as an educational consultant to improve low-performing schools. She'll face a Republican woman in November to fill this open seat.
August 5th Michigan POP Victories
Progressive organizations throughout Michigan rallied around Lisa Brown this past week to push Lisa over the edge in her competitive Tuesday primary against John Kuriakuz. With the help of multiple Independent Expenditures and an aggressive voter contact strategy, the Brown campaign was able to garner 46.3% of the vote to defeat Kuriakuz in state house district 39. As a top target in 2006 Lisa lost by approximately 700 votes against then incumbent David Law. With an open seat and a race under her belt, Lisa will face Amy Peterman in the November election.
Handpicked by outgoing state representative Kathleen Law, Deb Kennedy won her 5-way primary with 32% of the vote yesterday. Deb faced a competitive primary against a well-known lobbyist and a self-funding Republican turned Democrat. State House District 23 is considered a safe Democratic seat; Deb does not face a competitive race this November.
Garnet Lewis has a rich background in community involvement and social service. Her volunteer activities include participation in "Meals on Wheels” through involvement on the Saginaw County Commission on Aging, the Saginaw Area Fireworks Committee, and the Dow Event Center Board. Additionally, Lewis has been a member of "Sports Affects Girls' Excellence" (SAGE) Board and "Erath County Against Drug Abuse" (Stephenville, Texas). Her strong background in community involvement led her to be the ideal candidate for Michigan’s 98th State House District and inevitable victor. Lewis faces a competitive race in November.
With 74% of the vote, Ellen Cogen Lipton defeated four opponents in the Michigan primary on Tuesday. State House District 27 is considered a Democratic stronghold based in the suburbs of Detroit; Ellen does not face a competitive election this November. As a patent attorney, mother, community activist and skilled fundraiser Ellen is a rising star with aspirations for higher office in the near future.
Sarah Roberts currently serves as County Commissioner for northern St. Clair Shores. Her commission district comprises one-third of the State House district and she won this seat with 59% of the vote, and a majority in every precinct, in 2006. As a County Commissioner she has fought to protect the living wage ordinance, started a Macomb County Commission on Women and voted against an anti-choice action. Roberts ran a very competitive primary race against six other candidates, but it was experience and knowledge to represent the people of Michigan’s 24th State House District that led to her victory. She will have an equally competitive race in November.
Yesterday, Kate Segal a veteran to Michigan politics won her primary with 68% of the vote against Tim Nendorf, a 24 year old Law Student in State House District 62. Yesterday’s win is just one of many stepping stones to Kate’s anticipated success November 4th. In this tough district based in Calhoun County, Kate faces Gregory Moore in the general election. This district is not only targeted by the Democratic and Republican House Caucuses but because of overlap with the hotly contested Congressional race (State Senator Mark Schauer is challenging Congressman Tim Walberg) it is expected that national organizations will be pouring resources into voter turnout efforts through November.
Other POP candidates in Michigan, State Representative Barbara Byrum in District 67, Julie Rogers in open District 61, Dian Slavens in open District 21, Judy Truesdell in open District 78, and State Representative Mary Valentine in District 91 won easily in their primary elections and will go on to the general in November.
August 5th Missouri POP Victories
Robin Wright Jones is a progressive Democrat who has been representing the 63rd Legislative District of the Missouri House of Representatives since 2002. She is the former chairperson of the House Democratic Caucus for four years and the interim chairperson of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus. Wright-Jones is a proven leader with the skills to build consensus and move an agenda forward, skills she will use when she represents Missouri’s 5th District in the State Senate as this is a Democratic seat and she will not be facing a general election.
In St. Louis, Rochelle Walton Gray won her primary election to represent Missouri’s House District 81. She garnered 65.3% of the vote in Tuesday’s election. Walton Gray is the step-daughter of current Rep. Juanita Walton Gray and daughter of Elbert Walton who served as City Prosecutor. Rochelle has been active in the local schools and the PTA. Her primary occupation for the past few years has been raising her children. With no Republican filed in this race, Walton Gray’s victory in the primary makes her the new State Representative in the 81st district.
In Columbia, Mary Wayne Still won her primary election with 55% of the vote. She served as director of communications for Attorney General Jay Nixon for 10 years and policy adviser for the past three years, and from 2002 to 2004 she served as director of communications for Missouri Governor Bob Holden. She is a champion of the University of Missouri, where she graduated from the School of Journalism and served as director of the MU News Bureau for eight years, promoting the land-grant mission of teaching, research and service. Mary goes on to face Iraq War Veteran Ryan Asbridge in the general election.
Robin Carnahan was sworn in as Missouri’s 38th Secretary of State in January 2005. She won her first elective office 51% to 45% over the well-known, better-funded Republican Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives. Since taking office, Carnahan has focused on improving customer service, cutting red-tape for Missouri businesses, protecting consumers and ensuring that elections are accessible, fair and free of fraud. She was unopposed in her primary and will go on to compete in the general election.
August 5th Georgia POP Victory
In her 4th election this year, District 93 State Representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler again emerged from a tough run-off victorious, with 60.8% of the vote. Dee was first elected in a special election with a corresponding runoff this past May. Dee has dedicated her life to public service through her roles as a minister, college educator, community activist, and political strategist and organizer.
July 15th Georgia POP Victory
Freshman state Rep. Margaret Kaiser defeated her primary opponent and, given the high Democratic performance in the district, she is expected to serve her second term in the Georgia legislature representing District 59. Kaiser was trained by POP last cycle and worked aggressively in the 2007 and 2008 sessions to serve her constituents. Her district includes much of the Atlanta metro area and is struggling with high mortgage fraud and default rates. In addition to housing issues, Kaiser focused on progressive income and social justice issues helping working families.
June 3rd California POP Victories
Lois Wolk, Senate District Five - Wolk is currently the Assembly member for District Eight representing four counties in the Sacramento area. She previously served on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors (1998-2002) and on the Davis City Council (1990-1998). Wolk faces termed out Republican Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian in the general election.
Hannah Beth Jackson, Senate District 19 - Prior to serving in the Assembly, Jackson practiced family law where she advocated for justice for women and children and victims of crime for over twenty years. She helped establish the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center and is a founder of Santa Barbara Women's Political Committee. While in the Assembly she was the chair of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and vice-chair of the Women's Caucus. Jackson will continue to fight for this seat in the general election in November hoping to flip this seat to a Democratic one when she faces Republican and former Assemblyman Tony Strickland.
Carol Liu, Senate District 21 - Liu is recognized as a key community leader in issues affecting children and education; she served as president of the Pasadena City College Foundation Board. She also served on the La Canada/Flintridge City Council and as a two-term Mayor. After being elected to the Assembly she was recognized for her leadership abilities and was appointed as chair of Higher Education Committee. Liu will continue to serve in the Senate in this strong Democratic seat.
Fran Pavley, Senate District 23 - Pavley served three terms in the CA State Assembly. She became known as one of the most effective legislators in Sacramento. Serving with integrity and vision, the former Mayor of Agoura Hills and long time public school teacher, had over 70 bills and resolutions become law. During her tenure in the Assembly, Pavley focused on education, the environment, consumer protection and her landmark legislation on global warming became a model for other states and countries. This is also a Democratic seat which Pavley won against another former Assemblyman.
Joan Buchanan won in District 15 (open seat). Buchanan has been a member of the San Ramon Valley School Board for 20+ years including four years as president. This will be a competitive race in November and the best opportunity for CA Democrats to flip an Assembly seat.
Fran Florez won in District 30 (open seat). Florez is the vice chair of the California High Speed Rail Authority, the state agency responsible for planning, building and operating a high-speed train system for the State of California.
Nancy Skinner won in District 14 (open seat). Skinner is currently on the Board of Directors for the East Bay Regional Parks. She oversees 65 regional parks and 96,000 acres in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. She got 46.8% of the vote running against four men.
Norma Torres won in District 61 (open seat) with 46.9% of the vote. Torres is the current mayor of Pomona and also works as a bilingual 9-1-1 dispatcher and instructor for the Los Angeles Police Department. She previously served as a member of Pomona’s city council.
Mariko Yamada won in District 8 with 51.6% of the vote. Yamada currently serves on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, representing a portion of the City of Davis and surrounding unincorporated county lands.
June 3rd Iowa POP Victories
State Representative Deborah Berry won her primary election today with 71% of the vote. Berry has represented the Waterloo, IA community for the past six years and since she was elected she has stood up for the working families of Black Hawk County and the issues important to them. Representative Berry is one of two African American females in the Iowa State House. Deb is does not have a general election opponent so this victory ensures that she will continue to represent the people of Iowa House District 22 for another term.
In Mason City, former educator Sharon Steckman won her primary election as well. She goes on to face former City Council member Scott Tornquist in the general election for the chance to represent Iowa's House District 13. This traditionally Democratic district has been held by Republican Rep. Bill Schickel since 2002 - and Steckman has a great chance to win it back in 2008. Sharon is a former member of Mason City Education Association. She served as President and later served six years as Chief Negotiator.
June 3rd Montana POP Victories
Throughout Monica Lindeen’s tenure in the legislature, she developed a reputation as a common sense-moderate getting things done for Montana; she served in various leadership roles and became a leading expert on the state budget. Lindeen is respected for her bipartisan efforts on economic development, successfully carrying legislation to create a workforce training program, an economic development trust fund and other policies that will assist working families. Lindeen will face Duane Grimes, a former Republican State Senator from Clancy in November for the seat of State Auditor.
Before serving as the current Superintendent of Schools, Linda McCulloch served three terms in the Montana House of Representatives. As a legislator, she served on the Judiciary, Highways & Transportation, Local Government, Education and House Rules Committees and interim Committee assignments including Juvenile Justice & Mental Health, Indian Affairs, and Education & Local Government. In 1999, she served as the Minority Caucus Leader and went on to be elected in her current statewide position in 2000. McCulloch plans on unseating Republican Brad Johnson, the current Secretary of State.
Christine Kaufmann won a competitive race to retain her State Senate seat representing Montana’s District 41. Kaufmann is one of three openly gay elected officials in Montana. Kaufmann served four terms in the Montana House of Representatives before being appointed to the Senate to fill a vacancy. In addition to her work as a Senator, she also has served as the director of Montana Human Rights Network since 1992.
June 3rd New Mexico POP Victories
Senator Linda Lopez held off a tough primary challenge in Albuquerque's South Valley on Tuesday. Lopez was the first woman elected in Senate District 11 in 1996. She Chairs the Senate Rules Committee and the Welfare Reform Oversight Committee. In addition to her legislative duties, she is a Mid Region Council of Governments program coordinator. Previously she operated her own organizational development consulting company, was the Chair of the Bernalillo County Democratic Party, and was a Pipeline Program Coordinator for Presbyterian Healthcare Services.
Senator Dede Feldman handily defeated her primary opponent in Senate District 13. A State Senator since 1997, she currently serves as the Chair of the Senate Public Affairs Committee and the Co-Chair of the Interim Health and Human Services Committee where she is focusing on improving access to quality health care for New Mexicans and reducing the high cost of prescription drugs. She is also the sponsor of several successful initiatives including a mastectomy bill that mandates insurance companies cover a minimum 48 hr. hospital stay. She lives in a solar home in the North Valley with her daughter and husband of 35 years.
Rep. Joni Gutierrez held off a primary challenge in House District 33, which stretches from Las Cruces south through Mesilla to Tortugas and San Miguel, New Mexico. Gutierrez was elected to the NM House in 2004 and sits on the powerful House Appropriations & Finance Committee and the Energy and Resources Committee. She is a landscape architect and has her Bachelor's of Science in horticulture from New Mexico State University as well as her Master's in landscape architecture from the University of Arizona. She was New Mexico State Democratic Party Chair previous to being elected.
Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver defeated her opponent in yesterday's primary. This was Oliver's first election since she was appointed by the County Commission in 2007 to fill the unexpired term of now Secretary of State, Mary Herrera. Prior to her appointment, she was New Mexico State Director and then Southwest Region Campaign Manager for the League of Conservation Voters (LCV). She also worked for over a decade as a campaign consultant.
May 20th Oregon POP Victories
Kate Brown, a Portland state senator who has been in the Legislature since 1991 and the Senate majority leader since 2004, brings a resume packed with experience and a reputation for dealing fairly and with integrity which is why Democratic voters made her their choice for Secretary of State. Brown faced two candidates both state senators with strong experience: Rick Metsger and Vicki Walker; however, it’s Brown’s proven record that put her ahead. As Secretary of State, Brown plans to be an advocate for the people—decreasing initiative fraud and creating more opportunities for people to register to vote and sign petitions by utilizing modern technology.
Jackie Dingfelder, who served four terms in the Oregon House, distinguishes herself as one of the more energetic and productive members of the House. In the Senate, Dingfelder hopes to continue to advance legislation addressing climate change, education and health care funding, transportation infrastructure and tax reform.
Replacing former Senate Majority leader, Kate Brown, Speaker Diane Rosenbaum served five terms as the State Representative for House District 42, fighting for civil rights for gays and lesbians, defending Oregon’s land-use laws and increasing funding to Oregon schools. We look forward to her continued progressive leadership in the state senate.
May 20th Arizona POP Victories
Newcomer Sara Presler-Hoefle won her general election for Mayor of Flagstaff, Arizona with 63.7% of the vote with all precincts reporting. Presler-Hoefle is a former public defense attorney who currently teaches at Northern Arizona University and serves as Legal Aid Counsel for students. In this, her first race for public office, Presler-Hoefle beat incumbent Joe Donaldson to become Flagstaff’s first female mayor. As Mayor, Presler-Hoefle’s main goals will be to promote innovative economic development and preserve the Flagstaff the citizens there love.
May 14th West Virginia POP Victories
Natalie Tennant won her three-way primary for Secretary of State with 51% of the vote with all counties reporting. Tennant, a former television anchor and reporter in the Charleston and Clarksburg media markets, beat House Majority Leader Joe DeLong and Senate Majority Whip Billy Wayne Bailey to win the nomination. If elected in November, she will be the only statewide woman officeholder in West Virginia and will work to restore West Virginians’ confidence in the election process, increase voter participation and create a more diverse selection of poll workers.
In their 17-way primary for State House District 30, Delegates Bobbie Hatfield & Bonnie Brown were the second and third top vote-getters, respectively, in their seven seat district. Brown and Hatfield benefited from receiving EMILY’s List technical assistance and financial support in this historic presidential primary which opened the Democratic primary to independent voters for the first time. Both Delegates have been outspoken advocates for Choice in the Legislature and have been instrumental in blocking numerous attempts by their Republican and Democratic colleagues to pass anti-choice legislation.
May 7th North Carolina POP Victories
Janet Cowell, a two term state senator defeated her two male opponents in yesterday’s primary for state treasurer. Cowell is a Wharton Business School graduate with experience and expertise in banking, investment, and financial management. While serving in the Senate, Cowell worked to create jobs and improve education. She is widely-recognized as a hard working and thoughtful legislator who fights hard for her constituents. Cowell was outspent by both opponents but ran a tight campaign that included a coalition of labor, business, environmental and women’s organizations. Cowell will face Bill Daughtridge in the fall in a race expected to cost $2 million.
Angela Bryant defeated her primary opponent in NC House District 7 and is expected to serve her first full term representing this solidly Democratic district in Rocky Mount. Bryant was appointed to the vacant House seat in 2007. Bryant's campaign benefited from training, technical assistance and financial support from POP. A long-time community activist, Bryant is a strong progressive with a lengthy political future ahead.
The youngest member of the NC General Assembly, Tricia Cotham in District 100 defeated a three-term county commissioner with 79 percent of the vote in yesterday’s primary. Cotham is a school principal who knocked on hundreds of doors in this race. In the legislature, Cotham has focused her efforts on progressive issues including education, health care and jobs. POP provided training, technical assistance and a financial contribution to Cotham who expects to serve in the U.S. Senate someday.
Having solidly defeated a tough Primary opponent, Katie Dorsett secured her fourth term as a state senator representing District 28. Dorsett is a retired educator who focuses on improving education, creating jobs and protecting the environment. Dorsett has benefited from POP services receiving technical assistance, training and financial help as well as GOTV efforts from POP staff.
Ellie Kinnaird defeated a well-funded opponent yesterday in the Primary election for the 23rd District, securing her seventh term in the North Carolina Senate. Kinnaird has been involved in civic and community life in Orange County for decades. She is a champion for the arts, environment and neighborhood restoration. Known for her outstanding constituent service, Kinnaird instituted a massive house party effort in addition to traditional methods of voter communication in this campaign.
Annie Mobley, in House District 5, defeated her primary opponent yesterday with 58% of the vote and is expected to sail to victory in this solidly Democratic district in the general election. Mobley, a long-time public servant in the Administrative Court in North Carolina was first appointed to the legislature in January 2007. Mobley served as Chair of the Juvenile Justice Committee and focused much of her early legislative work on the agriculture and economy - two areas critical to the citizens in her district.
Having served six years on the Pitt County Board of Education, Kathy Taft is headed to a run-off election after Tuesday’s six-way primary in Senate District 5 did not allow for any candidate to receive the necessary 40% of the vote. This is Taft’s first bid for a state senate seat. Taft ran a well-organized and aggressive campaign, knocking on doors and building a grassroots effort in the rural district. She ran second yesterday with 24% of the vote.
April 22, 2008, Pennsylvania POP Victories
With 64% of the vote POP-supported candidate Judy Hirsh won the opportunity to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Jeff Piccola in November's general election. The Political Opportunity Program worked closely with Hirsh and her campaign staff giving them the tools to win, including EMILY's List staff that traveled to Harrisburg to help the campaign execute their GOTV plan.
After earning a master's degree in public administration from Penn State, Hirsh came to Harrisburg to work for the House Appropriations Committee. As the Board President of Londonderry School, a community-based school here in central PA, she was instrumental in helping them to build their own "green" school building. She runs a small business with her husband and keeps the finances. She is also very active in the Harrisburg Jewish community.
Hirsh is running for the State Senate because she is a leader who will work toward changing the legislature into a more efficient and effective body that can represent the interests of all Pennsylvanians. She wants to work with people from across the state to ensure a steady stream of funding to Pennsylvania's schools, to make sure that all Pennsylvanians have health care coverage and to find the answer to rising property taxes and find a solution that will be fair to all.
March 4, 2006, Texas POP Victories
Rep. Jessica Farrar handily held off her primary opponent in HD 148. Farrar was first elected in 1994 at the age of 27 and is the longest serving Hispanic female from Houston in the House. She currently serves on the powerful Committee on State Affairs and the Committee on Juvenile Justice and Family Issues. She is the Vice-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, the founder of the Women's Health Caucus, and the founder of the House Environmental Caucus. Rep. Farrar also started a non-profit mentorship program for Latina college students known as Latinas on the Rise, and co-founded the Texas Women's Health Foundation, a non-profit aimed at de-politicizing women's health issues. Farrar has a degree in architecture and is a partner at Farrar Architects. She is married to Major Marco Sanchez, they live in Lindale.
Carol Alvarado won her primary for HD 145, an open seat currently held by Rep. Rick Noriega, who is running against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Carol served on the Houston City Council from 2002 - 2007. Her involvement in local politics began as a child. Prior to her election to the city council, Carol worked in City Hall as Senior Executive Assistant to Houston Mayor Lee P. Brown. Her past work experience includes serving as legislative assistant to Congressman Gene Green in Washington D.C. and as a consultant in economic and community development in the neighborhoods of the East End. Carol is a graduate of the University of Houston, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. She is currently enrolled in the University of Houston's MBA program. Carol is actively involved in several charitable endeavors including serving as a mentor for Latinas on the Rise, collecting clothing for Dress for Success and serving on the Board of Planned Parenthood.
February 5, 2008, Illinois POP Victories
Sen. Iris Martinez won her hotly contested primary yesterday against two opponents to retain her seat in the Illinois State Senate. Senator Martinez made history on the day she was sworn in by becoming the first Hispanic woman in Illinois to be elected to the State Sentate. She again made history in January 2007 when Senate President Emil Jones, Jr. named her Assistant Majority Leader, a position never before held by a Latina. Martinez will work to keep Chicago's neighborhoods safer, make transportation more available to Illinois residents, and make health care more affordable for the people of her state.
Deb Mell won a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives yesterday, making her the first open gay woman elected to the Illinois general assembly. She currently serves on Mayor Richard M. Daley's advisory council for Human Relations and has served as a chair of the Equality Illinois Justice For All Gala. Deb works for Christy Webber Landscape, Chicago's largest landscaping company, as a project manager and supervisor in the commercial division.
In Illinois, Anita Alvarez defeated five male opponents in a primary to become the first woman and first Latina candidate for Cook County State's Attorney. In her previous role as Chief Deputy in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Anita Alvarez oversaw the day-to-day operations of more than 900 assistant state's attorneys in eight different divisions handling felony prosecutions and civil actions. She and her staff deal with the major issues confronting the community, from child abuse to consumer scams to criminal gangs to environmental protection. She now faces Tony Peraica, a Cook County commissioner from Riverside, in the general election. Cook County is heavily Democratic but has elected Republican State's Attorneys in recent years, so Alvarez will have to put together a strong organization to win in November.
In a Chicago State Senate seat vacated by Sen. Carol Ronen's retirement, Heather Steans won the Democratic primary yesterday with 63 percent of the vote. An advocate for good public policy, Heather's professional career has focused on government finance, economic development and education reform efforts. In addition, Heather promotes strong community forums and child development initiatives as a member of the Boards of WBEZ Public Radio and the Erickson Institute. She also is a past chair of the Donor's Forum. Heather has received support from Senator Ronen and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.
Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie has been the Democratic Majority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 25th District, which includes the communities of Woodlawn, South Shore, Hyde Park, and Kenwood, since 1979. Yesterday, she won her primary election. Currie remains the top expert on revenue issues and has been a strong champion of civil rights.
Jehan Gordon defeated her opponent in the primary for the 92nd House District in Peoria, Ill., on Tuesday with 52 percent of the vote. Gordon graduated from Limestone High School in Bartonville, Illinois, and attended Parkland Community College and the University of Illinois - Champaign/Urbana. After college, Jehan worked at the Small Business Development Center at Bradley University before deciding to enter public service by becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) worker at Illinois Central College. Jehan goes on to face Republican Joan Krupa, former CEO of the Heartland Clinic, in the November general election.
In the west suburbs of Chicago, Rep. Deborah Graham won her primary election yesterday. Deborah L. Graham, State Representative of Illinois's 78th District, was born and raised on the west side of Chicago and has devoted most of her life to community service. Since 1995, she has been a leader in the Austin neighborhood, earning the respect of her peers as well as local and state politicians. She defeated a hand-picked challenger who was recruited to defeat her because of her work on anti-crime legislation.
In Chicago, AmySue Mertens was defeated by incumbent State Senator Ricky Hendon in the February 5 Democratic Primary, coming in second in a three way race. AmySue Mertens brings rich, varied careet experience to the table, including work with Literacy Chicago, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC), Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW), and University of Illinois Extension. She also has work experience in health care, the environment, and the arts. She sees the role of public servant as a broad one. AmySue will be a leader for the whole community, not just a selected few.