Today, I am proud to announce that I've accepted a position as Campaign Manager for a candidate for the US House.
We will be creating a new Daily Kos UID for Jon Haugen for Congress - and Jon (and on occasion, me) will be posting here, looking for support and seeking volunteers to help us Turn SW WA BLUE in 2012.
Jon is a strong supporter of President Obama and hopes to join him in Washington DC starting on Jan 20, 2013, to advance the causes of increased Employment, putting Social Security and Medicare on sound fiscal footing, and working on issues near and dear to those who live and work in the Evergreen State.
Below the Fleur-de-Kos for more information...
The 3rd CD of Washington State is home to (according to the latest Census data) 672,448.
This is the breakdown of the population of the eight counties which make up the 3rd District:
Hispanic Percentage: 7.78%
Non-Hispanic White Percentage: 83.23%
Hispanic White Percentage: 3.56%
Black Percentage: 1.46%
American Indian Percentage: 1.14%
Asian Percentage: 3.05%
Pacific Islander Percentage: 0.47%
Multi Race Percentage: 3.86%
Total Minority Percentage: 16.77%
Much of the 3rd CD is now in mostly rural counties, with the 2012 US Census-based redistricting which created a new Congressional District in WA State (CD #10), and sent most of the north of Thurston County (and it's seat, the state capital of Olympia) to that new District.
Which leaves the 3rd CD in much more Republican-leaning territory. But I believe that with the right candidate, we can turn SW WA BLUE again in 2012, and I believe that Jon Haugen is that candidate.
Jon believes in service to country - evidenced by his 24 years spent in the US Navy. Jon was accepted into West Point, the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy, but ultimately chose the US Navy and graduated in the top 1/3 of his class at Annapolis, Maryland in May of 1981. He became a Naval Aviator in 1983, and eventually became an Instructor Pilot with VT-3 at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Florida, from 1986 to 1988. He retired with a rank of Commander (O-5) in 2005, and works today as an International Pilot with a major Airline.
The local Clark County WA newspaper, The Columbian, posted this article on Jon's announcement of his candidacy on Veterans Day 2011.
In this article Jon says, “We need more good paying jobs in the Third District. We need a new bridge across the Columbia at I-5 without tolling or Light Rail. The solution is a new six-lane no-lift bridge, keeping the current safe bridges, saving $3 billion and creating thousands of good middle class jobs.”
Jon also says that he is “part of another 1%, those that have raised their hand to volunteer to serve in this nation’s military.”
Why am I supporting Jon Haugen for the US House?
(From Jon's DFA Endorsement application)
I got involved in Washington State politics because of Public Education. When I moved back to Washington State I was disturbed by the fact that Public Schooling Funding required a 60% Super-Majority vote for funding. This had been in the Washington State Constitution since 1932. I was told "forget about it, this will never change".
I was the only private citizen to testify before both the House and Senate in support of 'Simple Majority' or a 50% vote plus one to increase funding to Public Schools. The measure passed in the Senate with one vote, I believe I had an impact on that vote.
The measure then went to the Voters of Washington State to change the constitution. I spent my own money to buy all the lawn signs for the entire state. Working with the PTA and Progressive voters throughout Washington State we changed the Washington State Constitution!
[emphasis added]
Now, that's the sort of person I want representing me in the US Congress. Someone who values public education enough to really fight for it!
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This is quite early in the season for US House races, but I wanted to share this happy news with the Community here - and especially for those from the 3rd CD of Washington State.
Because the current office holder, Jaime Herrera Beutler needs to be a one term Congresswoman. For a quick reason why, see this LTE from Jan 21, 2012:
(It's short, and under Fair Use standards I'm including the entire post):
Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler has informed her constituents that open town hall meetings are no longer being planned. (“Congresswoman talks town halls, confirms re-election bid,” Jan. 17)
Instead she prefers the “by invitation only” coffee meetings presumably so that she doesn’t get overwhelmed by opinions and insights different from her own viewpoints and agenda.
Last time I checked, we have a representative government in this country and our elected congressional politicians are supposed to represent and hear the views from all of their constituents.
Herrera Beutler has decided she only wants to hear from invited voters to drum up support for her re-election bid. As a voting citizen in her district, I am outraged by her actions and can imagine many other voters feel the same way.
Let your voices be heard. Please, no more Herrera Beutler.
(name and town posted at original site)
I believe that Jon Haugen is the candidate who will make Jamie Beutler a one term Congresswoman.
If you are a Voter in the 3rd CD, please bookmark this diary, and look for future opportunities to help Jon Turn SW WA BLUE.
Jon has an Act Blue campaign page, where contributions are always gratefully accepted. Please be sure to add an .03 cents to let us know it's coming from a Daily Kos member!
Short of cash? You can still help!...
Please help us get Jon a Democracy for America endorsement! You can add your support here.
You can view the campaign website here: www.haugenvet.com. Suggestions or comments gladly accepted, and we'll be adding more information and ways to participate in the near future.
You can follow the campaign Twitter feed by following us at: @HaugenVet
Questions for the candidate may sent to the campaign email address: info@haugenvet.com or you can click here and use the campaign website to send a message directly.