Released: Oct 10, 2012 1:20 PM

Burlington, VT – Today, Democracy for America (DFA) endorsed local candidates who are seeking office throughout the country. DFA invests in local candidates to strengthen the Democratic Party. By electing stronger progressives at every level of government, real valued change can happen. Earning an endorsement from DFA can greatly enhance a candidate’s campaign.

"These candidates exemplify what we value at DFA,” said Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America. “The belief that grassroots activism and organizing can still elect the strong, courageous, and progressive Democrats who are willing to move the party and their communities forward.”

The California slate of endorsed candidates include:

Assembly:

Tom Ammiano for California Assembly District 13,
Abel Guillen for California Assembly District 18,
Shirley Weber for California Assembly District 79, and
Mark Orozco for California Assembly District 42.

Senate:

Sally Lieber for California State Senate District 13.

Local:

Michael Tubbs for Stockton City Council District 6,
Rebecca Saltzman for Bay Area Rapid Transit Board District 3,
Igor Tregub for Berkley Rent Stabilization Board,
Asa Dodsworth for Berkley Rent Stabilization Board,
Alejandra Soto-Vigil for Berkley Rent Stabilization Board, and
Karen Bernal for Natomas School District.

Previously endorsed federal candidates from California include Jose Hernandez and Raul Ruiz, both of which earned the distinguished title of Dean Dozen candidate. The Dean Dozen is DFA's highest tier of federal endorsement. It is limited to 12 total candidates running for either US House or US Senate and represents the races that DFA will expend the greatest amount of resources on during the 2012 cycle.

"Gary Brown, Rich Hancock, and Rebecca Bell-Metereau are strong Democrats and have the support of our DFA members in Texas," said Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America.

The Texas slate of endorsed candidates include:

Gary Brown for Texas State House,
Rich Hancock for Texas State House, and
Rebecca Bell-Metereau for Texas State Board of Education.

The Pennsylvania slate of endorsed candidates include:

Rob Broderick running for Pennsylvania State House District 167,
Joe Frederick running for Pennsylvania State House District 143,
Rob Teplitz running for Pennsylvania State Senate District 15,
Tom O’Brien running for Pennsylvania State Senate District 13, and
Luana Cleveland running for Pennsylvania State Senate District 23.

Previously endorsed federal candidates from Pennsylvania include Kathy Boockvar and Manan Trivedi both of which earned the distinguished title of Dean Dozen candidate. The Dean Dozen is DFA's highest tier of federal endorsement. It is limited to 12 total candidates running for either US House or US Senate and represents the races that DFA will expend the greatest amount of resources on during the 2012 cycle.

The Washington slate of endorsed candidates include:

Maureen Judge running for Washington State Senate District 41,
Sherry Appleton Running for Washington State House District 23 Position 1, and
Hans Dunshee running for Washington State House District 44.

These three candidates join endorsees Amy Biviano, who is running for State House District 4, and Jay Clough, who is running for State House District 8. Also, earlier this week Democracy for America endorsed a ‘no’ vote on Referendum 74, the statewide referendum that, if passed, would ban marriage equality in the state.

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/press/2990-local-candidates-receive-valued-progressive-endorsement