Dear Kossacks,
The night of the 2016 elections, sad and shaken, I was surfing the web and accidentally landed on DailyKos. Ever since, I have been lurking in your shadows checking for news and perspectives not found in other outlets. I religiously check posts by annieli, often agree with Egberto Willies, appreciate Mark Sumner’s dedication, laugh out-loud reading ShowerCap, and on depressing news days take solace from the GoodNewsRoundup. Although I have not signed up formally until now and refrained from commenting, I have been a hidden but active part this community by donating to the site and to various causes promoted here.
I am breaking my silence today to solicit your support. I am running as a democrat to represent the state of Wyoming in the United States Senate.
Allow me to briefly introduce myself. I moved to Wyoming from Alaska 20 years ago. I grew up on a farm, served in the Israeli Defense Forces, worked as a safari tour guide, and have been a scientist, a conservationist, and educator for nearly 35 years. I am a wildlife ecologist studying the effects of global change on carnivores and their ecosystems. I spent nearly 30 years investigating the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on river otters in coastal Alaska. Documented the effects of fracking on river otters in Wyoming. And for the past 15 years have been part of the team investigating the effects of climate change on polar bears. I drink my morning coffee reading NOAA reports on sea ice decline in the Arctic and glacial melt in Antarctica and Greenland and ….. often read the diaries by Pakalolo and FishOutofWater on DKos.
Why am I reaching out to you? You, who are bombarded by requests for donations from all progressive candidates? I need your help to bring the Wyoming senate race to the national attention. I know that from the outside Wyoming looks RED. But living here and training thousands of young Wyominigites, I can tell you that WyoFolk care most about the environment. Surveys show that people here value public lands in public hands, clean air and water, sustainable fish and wildlife populations, wide-open spaces. People are also starting to realize that reliance on coal, oil, and gas is unsustainable. The young people are especially motivated to change. They need a leader to rally with; I am ready to assume that role.
So, how can you help? Spread the word! Use your connections to draw attention to my campaign. And (if you can) please donate. For specifics on my platform and bio visit my website: www.BenDavid2020.com, Facebook: Ben-David U. S. Senate 2020, and Twitter: MBENDAVID2020.
Thank you for your time and in case you are wondering: my favorite presidential candidate is Elizabeth Warren, but as I did in 2016, I will “vote blue no matter who”
Humbly yours
Merav Ben-David
Laramie, Wyoming