Before Meteor Blades left on a well deserved vacation he asked us to write about what we are doing this summer to help elect democrats. Well I hope I'm on the right site to do this (not so sure anymore... cough! META! cough!)
I'm working this summer to elect a Democrat. Specifically Democratic candidate, Dr. Richard Pan, who is running for California State Assembly district 05 (my district.) For me this race is personal... Dr. Pan's opponent is Republican Andrew Pugno. A bit about him (from the Stonewall Democrats for Sacramento) website...
Andrew Pugno was the principal drafter, spokesperson, and instigator in the drive to strip equal marriage rights from gay and lesbian Californians. His success came when his long-time efforts concluded in the passage of Proposition 8.
Why is this personal? For those who may not know me here, I am a gay man who was able to marry my partner of 12+ years in August 2008 while marriage equality was allowed in California. In November 2008, Proposition 8 (PropH8) passed, immediately putting a stop to marriage equality. The proposition was challenged but in May 2009 the CA Supreme Court ruled the proposition could stand, yet allowing the 18k marriages that took place to stand. I will not sit idly by and allow the architect of PropH8 to become my state assembly representitive.
Pugno has spent his entire career since college working to deny my equality. More from Stonewall Democrats of Sacramento:
Since graduating from college, Pugno's career has exclusively focused on the effort to deny gay and lesbian couples the right to marry," said Sacramento Stonewall President Christopher Moore. "Now, StopAndrewPugno.com is exclusively focused on the effort to deny Pugno a seat in the California State Legislature.
As to being an activist its always been my stance that I'm better at getting out the checkbook than walking precincts, helping phone bank, etc.. Not this time.
I'm not much for goals but I plan to raise $1000 for Pan through my ActBlue Page Pan = NoH8.
I hope you will join me in reaching my goal. I know its early in the campaign but Dr. Pan will need the money sooner not later. Reading this from the California Progress Report gave me a real sense of urgency:
Pugno won the (primary) race after raising more than $350,000 dollars using the Protectmarriage.com's Yes on Prop 8 contributors list shortly after the anti-marriage equality initiative passed.
(bold in parens my notation)
Pugno, who already has tapped into the Proposition 8 supporter base to finance his run, has a large campaign war chest, including a $100,000 loan he gave the campaign
Won't you help me just say PugNO?
Contribute Now on ActBlue: Pan = NoH8
Thank you for reading... NOW GO Act! ActBlue! (smile)