Hey old friends, been a member here for over 10 years now...pre-Scoop! Though it has been awhile since I've written a diary, I've been lurking and marveling at what this community has become. I'm writing now because I need a favor. I need you to help spread the word and GOTV to nominate my friend and neighbor Tom Michalow in the 20th PA House primary race here in Pittsburgh on May 20th.
I want to tell you why I and many others believe he's the best candidate for the job, and for color I'm including some photos of the city that I've taken while canvassing for him these last few months. If there's a more beautiful American city, I have yet to visit it.
You may actually be in Pittsburgh, in which case there's really no excuse. Come aht and help!
I first met Tom while volunteering with him on the OFA '08 effort here in Pittsburgh. My wife and I had just moved out from the intersection of Friendship/East Liberty/Shadyside to the inner (older) ring of suburbs known here as the "North Boros." We kicked some butt together in '08, and he was the OFA neighborhood team lead in '12 when we put up these numbers.
See the little stars in 2012 next to Avalon? Those are the voting districts where we outperformed '08. Show me where else that happened in Pittsburgh in '12 and I'll show you where the progressive spirit was alive and kicking it.
Tom's great grassroots campaign is keeping up that momentum, reaching and energizing voters in the newly reformed 20th PA House District whom we'll need for the fall Governor's race.
Tom Michalow is from Avalon. He's a teacher at Northgate High School. He's a regular guy with a wonderful wife and two cute young kids for whom he is the most dedicated father and husband. The fact that's willing to run for office and commit to the sacrifice of life on the road, back and forth to Harrisburg (a 3.5 hour one-way drive over the Allegheny Mountains) makes him my hero right out of the box.
Tom is a fighter, a passionate and articulate champion for the progressive purpose. He did not grow up thinking that he would someday be a politician, but he sees that he can serve our region now and he's stepping up to the plate in a big way.
Did I mention he's running a GREAT grassroots campaign, one that you and/or your friends in Pittsburgh need to plug into? Tom's volunteers are canvassing the newly formed 20th and just flat out getting it done, once again demonstrating the People Power that we've all been making happen these last 10 years together.
Please, any of you who have been involved in campaigns know the power of one additional canvassing shift to hit 60 doors and talk with 25-30 voters. In a close race, that one shift (and a few more like it) can make all the difference.
Please consider sharing this diary with everyone you know who lives in Pittsburgh or who is originally from Pittsburgh, and ask them too to spread the word.
Pittsburgh Diaspora powers activate: In the form...of grassroots groundswell! If this site really is about electing more and better Democrats, here's our chance to help out a good guy.
Volunteer for Tom!
Like Tom's campaign on Facebook
One last one, from the President's visit to Pittsburgh on one hell of sweltering day in July 2012, when Tom got to meet the President inside while I made sure all the older folks had plenty of water outside!
Tom's opponent is incumbent Adam Ravenstahl.