Released: Feb 17, 2012 1:31 PM

Largest Grassroots Contest in DFA History; 2nd Round of Voting Expected to be Very Competitive

Burlington, VT – Today, Democracy for America (DFA) announced the top ten winners of the first round of voting in the Grassroots All-Stars Contest. With 70,000 votes, this is the largest endorsement contest DFA has hosted to date. The winners of the first round will compete in a second round for the top prize.

The top ten winners are:

1)Alan Grayson FL - 27
2)Ilya Sheyman IL - 10
3)Norman Solomon CA - 02
4)Jose Hernandez CA - 10
5)Mark Pocan WI - 02
6)Lois Frankel FL - 22
7)Angela Zimmann OH - 05
8)Kelda Roys WI - 02
9)Eric Griego NM - 01
10)Annie Kuster NH - 02

“This is a critical year to win back the House and we are getting started on a great note with some real progressive champions who will be fighters and truth-tellers in Congress,” said Jim Dean, Chair of DFA. “With this Grassroots All Stars competition for House challengers, we will begin the largest campaign season in DFA’s history.”

Grassroots All-Stars (www.grassrootsallstars.com) is an annual competition for House challengers and open seats. Candidates compete for online votes to demonstrate support among DFA members, and the candidate with the most votes wins. The winner of the 2012 Grassroots All-Star Competition will receive:

- The title of "2012 DFA Grassroots All-Star" and DFA's endorsement

- A commitment to raise $20,000 in small donations from our national membership.

- A commitment to tap into our national membership to recruit volunteers over the course of your campaign and other support. (See www.grassrootsallstars.com/faq)

Two runners-up also receive prizes.

Past winners of the whole contest include Jerry McNerney, Charlie Brown, and Beth Krom. The voting for the second round will end at 11:59PM Pacific time, Tuesday, February 28th. The announcement of the winner will be made LIVE on telephone town hall event on Thursday March 1st.

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