MoveOn Members Endorse: All Candidates

MoveOn Members Endorse raised over $4.6 million in critical donations for outstanding candidates. These gifts were incredibly important for progressive candidates who can't count on big business and special interest groups to fund their campaigns. Below you will find a list of these candidates, and quotes from some of the MoveOn members that endorsed them.

STRONG RURAL VOICE FOR THE WORKING PEOPLE OF ARIZONA
Paul Babbitt is a progressive voice for rural people running in one of the most competitive races in the country. He is campaigning in an enormous district that encompasses Northern and Eastern Arizona and includes the Navajo Nation, one of the largest concentrations of Native Americans in the country. Babbitt, a Democrat and life-long resident of the district, is challenging 1st term incumbent Rick Renzi, a conservative first-term Republican who won in 2002 with just 48% of the vote. Babbitt's priorities include improving access to rural healthcare, strengthening and funding public education, creating good jobs, and ensuring our veterans receive the benefits they deserve.

SHOW BEAN’S CONSERVATIVE OPPONENT THE DOOR
Melissa Bean, a progressive businesswoman, has won nationwide support for her campaign to oust Phil Crane, one of the most entrenched and most conservative members of the House. In Congress since 1969, Crane has played a key part in President Bush's slashing of social programs though giant tax cuts for the very rich. His record includes being one of only four members, along with now-Vice President Cheney, to vote for plastic guns that can pass undetected through airport security, opposing abortion under any circumstances, and advocating drilling for oil in Lake Michigan. The race is neck in neck because Bean is running an aggressive, creative grassroots campaign, and Illinois voters are paying attention. Melissa Bean has a real chance to show Phil Crane the door, with our help.

FORMER CLINTON CHIEF OF STAFF LEADING IN NORTH CAROLINA
Erskine Bowles, former White House Chief of Staff under President Clinton, is running a strong race for U.S Senate in North Carolina, a state that has suffered severe job losses and could become a battleground Presidential state. At the White House, Bowles helped negotiate a balanced federal budget that provided health care to 5 million kids, created 36,000 additional spots for Head Start, and extended the life of Medicare. Bowles’ Republican opponent, Congressman Richard Burr, says he supports the Iraq War because it diverts terrorists’ efforts. In his words: “The president bought us 14 months where every terrorist has been focused on killing Americans in Iraq.” Republicans are trying to compensate for Burr’s lackluster performance on the campaign trail with a multi-million dollar ad campaign.

"It is imperative [Bowles] wins, not just for NC residents but also for anyone who believes in the strong values that MoveOn members represent and who feel that Bush needs no more allies in the Senate." – Michael, Winston-Salem, NC [MORE MOVEON MEMBER COMMENTS]

BRING AN IRAQ WAR VETERAN'S EXPERIENCE TO THE FLOOR OF THE U.S. HOUSE
Lt. Col. Steve Brozak is campaigning to be an independent voice for truth in Washington. A twenty-one year Marine Corps and Marine Reserves veteran who returned from a tour of duty in Iraq in 2003, Steve Brozak has the first hand experience to challenge the Bush Administration on Iraq. Brozak has a great chance of defeating two-term incumbent Mike Ferguson, an extremely conservative Congressman whose voting record is far to the right of New Jersey voters. Together, we can tip this race into Brozak's column.

FIGHTING TO DEFEAT A RIGHT-WING CONGRESSMAN
Democratic Congressman Brad Carson is in a tight race against Representative Republican Tom Coburn for Oklahoma’s open U.S. Senate seat. Carson, a sixth-generation Oklahoman, two-term Congressman, Rhodes scholar, and an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation is popular in his home state. Coburn, if elected, would immediately become the most radically conservative member of the U.S. Senate.  In the House, Coburn criticized Newt Gingrich for being too moderate and also commented, "I favor the death penalty for abortionists and other people who take life."  Coburn has even referred to Schindler's List, the Oscar winning film about the Holocaust, as “pornographic”. Polls indicate that this race is already extremely tight, within the margin of error.

HELP BETTY DEFEAT BUSH MACHINE TO WIN KEY FLORIDA US SENATE SEAT
Betty Castor is running a great campaign for U.S. Senate, activating an online and grassroots base in one of the most important battleground states of 2004. Betty has proven she can deliver progressive solutions in education, job creation and expanded health care for our families. As a state senator, as Education Commissioner, and as a university president, Betty founded the nationally recognized Healthy Kids insurance program, created the partnership that helped build the I-4 High-Tech corridor, and led efforts to improve education standards in Florida and the nation. MoveOn rarely endorses in contested primaries but because Betty Castor received such tremendous support from our membership during the nominating process and because we believe Florida is a key place to focus our efforts this election, we have decided to get involved in Castor's competitive Democratic primary. We believe Betty Castor is the candidate best poised to help Democrats win the Florida Senate seat and help take back the U.S. Senate.

CHALLENGING AN OUT-OF-TOUCH MINNESOTA CONGRESSMAN
Teresa Daly, a Burnsville City Council member, was frustrated with the irresponsible voting record of her first-term Republican Congressman, John Kline, and his steadfast support for the Bush Administration’s agenda. When she heard no one was stepping up to challenge Kline, Teresa decided to run. Kline has a long history of gaffes and out-of-touch comments, saying that the Dept. of Homeland Security does "silly things," federal environmental laws "have done nothing to clean up the environment," and America has the right to use nuclear weapons against Saddam Hussein. Kline recently said in a debate that signing the Kyoto Treaty would have devastating effects on the U.S. economy. Teresa Daly can replace John Kline on November 2nd with our support.

HELP WIN AN OPEN SWING SEAT IN PENNSLYVANIA
Joe Driscoll is running an aggressive campaign against Republican Charles Dent, in a battleground congressional district in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. Driscoll, the grandson of Irish immigrants, has been successful in business and has been a long-time community activist. The people of the Lehigh Valley have struggled over the past four years with enormous job losses but have gotten little to no help from Washington. Driscoll’s opponent has said he supports "the Bush-Cheney agenda 100%", including the war in Iraq and making tax cuts for the wealthy permanent, and has said he would support the hateful "Federal Marriage Amendment" if elected to Congress. Driscoll’s opponent also bitterly attacked him for participating in the MoveOn endorsement process. Let's make sure Joe Driscoll has the support he needs to win in November.

SUPPORT A RISING STAR IN MISSOURI AGAINST A LAGGING INCUMBENT
Kit Bond has been a Senator in Washington for nearly 18 years, yet more than half of Missouri voters don't approve of the job he has been doing. That’s because he’s accomplished little, except voting with President Bush 98% of the time. Nancy Farmer, the first woman in Missouri's 180-year history to be elected State Treasurer, has been mounting an impressive campaign, challenging Bond's blind support for President Bush's policies -- from the war to tax cuts for the rich to huge giveaways to the pharmaceutical industry. Bond has been lobbing weak attacks, calling Farmer "too liberal." But her progressive leadership as a state legislator and State Treasurer have made her popular and well known, and have proven to voters that she is willing to fight for the average working people of Missouri and America. The percentage of Missouri voters who say they support Bond remains below the all-important 50% threshold in this Presidential battleground state. Help Nancy Farmer keep Kit Bond below 50% on Election Day.

ELECT A BRAVE COMMUNITY ACTIVIST FROM CONNECTICUT
Diane Farrell is running a strong, well-funded race against entrenched Republican Chris Shays. Prior to the invasion in Iraq, Diane was on record as strongly urging our administration to not take military action without broad multi-lateral support and UN consensus and during her campaign she has been a harsh critic of the President's pre-war and wartime actions. Diane Farrell entered public service on Westport's Board of Finance, where she fought for increased investments in education. She is currently serving her second term as First Selectwoman (Mayor) in Westport, Connecticut. Let's give her a term in Congress.

BOLD CONGRESSIONAL LEADER TAKES ON GREAT BATTLE FOR PA SENATE SEAT
Representative Joe Hoeffel is a proudly progressive Congressman from southeastern Pennsylvania who has fought the Bush administration’s tax cuts for millionaires, roll-backs of environmental protections, and "go-it-alone, cowboy diplomacy." Hoeffel is running a competitive race for the U.S. Senate against four-term Republican incumbent Arlen Specter, a reliable vote for the Bush agenda, who is still recovering from a tough spring primary battle that he narrowly won by moving far to the right of the average Pennsylvania voter.

HELP JENNINGS TAKE OUT AN INDIANA RIGHT-WING CONSERVATIVE
Jon Jennings is campaigning to return responsive and progressive representation to the Hoosiers in Indiana's 8th District. He has focused his campaign on creating good jobs, ensuring every American has affordable access to health care, and making certain that every child receives the best possible education. Jennings was born and raised in Richmond, Indiana and worked in professional basketball before becoming a White House Fellow in the Clinton Administration and then working in the Justice Department for Janet Reno. Jennings is challenging John Hostettler, one of the most conservative and ideological members of the House. Hostettler actually said he would vote against the Federal Marriage Amendment in favor of the even more radical Marriage Protection Act (HR 3313) which removes the power of courts to determine the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act.

HELP NORTH CAROLINA CANDIDATE “CLEAN HOUSE”
Patsy Keever is an outstanding candidate from North Carolina who has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of children and working class people her entire life as a public school teacher and popular County Commissioner. Her Republican opponent, Charles Taylor, has voted with his party's right-wing leadership 96% of the time. Many view him as out of touch, and numerous public scandals have raised serious questions about his credibility in recent years. Taylor has been implicated in a bank loan scandal, and has had his Congressional wages garnished because he failed to pay taxes. All this from one of the wealthiest members of Congress. Let's help Patsy Keever "clean House."

FORMER GOVERNOR TAKING ON GOP NEPOTISM
Former Alaska Governor Tony Knowles is the only challenger in the country leading an incumbent Senator. Tony Knowles was a popular two-term Governor who spearheaded one of the most successful children's health care programs in the nation and helped create thousands of new jobs in Alaska.  Knowles, a Democrat, is running against Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, who was appointed to the U.S. Senate by her father, a retiring Senator, despite scant experience.  Alaska's voters resent this nepotism, and polls show that Alaska, normally a Republican stronghold, presents one of the Democrats' best chances to pick up a Senate seat this fall.

REPLACE ZELL MILLER WITH A PROGRESSIVE CHAMPION
Democratic Congresswoman Denise Majette has already made history by becoming the first African-American woman in Georgia to capture her party's nomination for U.S. Senate, a feat accomplished with the help of one of Georgia's most powerful grassroots networks and without a single TV ad. Majette is a tenacious campaigner who has always beaten the odds and won elections. Throughout her 25-year public service career as a Legal Aid attorney, State Court Judge and Congresswoman, Majette has been a leader in fighting for American values: the best public schools, strong and secure jobs, affordable healthcare, and the opportunity for each and every person to achieve the American dream. Although she was not in Congress at the time of the original Iraq war resolution, Majette courageously opposed a second resolution on the Iraq war, voting against it and declaring, "I cannot in good conscience support such a deceptive resolution." We need more leaders in Washington like Denise Majette -- send her to the U.S. Senate today.

DR. MONGIARDO TURNS AROUND UPHILL BATTLE, NOW POISED FOR UPSET WIN
Dr. Daniel Mongiardo faces Jim Bunning, a first-term Senator and arch-conservative who, according to the latest polling, is incredibly vulnerable. Dr. Mongiardo moved home to his Appalachian hometown after medical school to open a free health clinic for those who could not otherwise afford care. As a state senator, Mongiardo worked to improve the access to healthcare for his district. Now he faces Senator Bunning, an increasingly out of touch and loose-lipped politician and campaigner. Senator Bunning commented early in the campaign that he thought Mongiardo looked like "Saddam Hussein's brother." He apologized for the comment in a recent debate where he read most of his comments from his off-site location on a teleprompter, stirring up questions about his mental capacity to serve. Bunning's offensive comments and inept handling of crucial issues have led Kentucky voters to seriously reconsider sending Bunning back to Washington. Mongiardo's late surge has this race at a dead-heat and with our help, Kentucky could be the surprise Democratic Senate pick-up of 2004.

LONG TIME CHOICE LEADER RUNNING COMPETITIVE RACE FOR THE HOUSE
Lois Murphy's campaign for the U.S. House is one of our best opportunities to win back a Republican House seat this election cycle. Murphy has spent her career fighting for women and families as the past president of NARAL-Pennsylvania, a member of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women, a trustee of the Women's Law Project, and through her legal work for both NARAL and the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Division. Murphy's campaign is focusing on job creation, the economy, health care, and the reckless fiscal policies of George W. Bush. She is a dynamic candidate who stands a strong chance of ousting her opponent, a first-term Republican who won in 2002 with only 51% of the vote.

REWARD A COURAGEOUS U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON STATE
In 1992, Patty Murray won one of the most hotly contested U.S. Senate races in the country. As a former teacher, Murray was once called just "a mom in tennis shoes" by a local state legislator when she went to her capital to protest education funding cuts. Instead of getting mad, Patty got herself elected to office and hasn't looked back since. In her two terms in Washington, Senator Patty Murray has proved to be a bold and courageous leader. She stood up against the war in Iraq; she has fought for a woman's right to choose; and she has proposed innovative solutions in education and health care. Now she's facing a race against White House favorite George Nethercutt, a right-wing Congressman. President Bush, Vice-President Cheney, Senator Elizabeth Dole and a host of others have traveled to Washington to support Nethercutt. The Republicans have targeted Murray for defeat because she has been willing to take on the White House and, often, has won. Patty Murray needs and deserves our support.

SUPPORT A LONGTIME PROGRESSIVE LEADER TAKING ON A BUSH ADMIN FRIEND
Richard Romero is a progressive candidate running in New Mexico's first Congressional district against incumbent Heather Wilson. A veteran, state senator, and teacher and principal for 27 years, Richard Romero is focusing on education, universal healthcare, and veterans' issues. Romero is pro-choice and opposed to the constitutional ban on gay marriage. His opponent, Heather Wilson, is a right-wing conservative who rubber-stamps Bush Administration policies and Tom Delay's tactics. Romero is running a strong race in the swing state of New Mexico, where voters are responding to his positive message. The race is already neck and neck, and we can put it over the top.

HELP FORMER RADIO TALK SHOW HOST OVERCOME SHAMELESS REPUBLICAN ATTACKS
Dave Ross has been a popular Seattle reporter and radio talk show host for 26 years, regularly beating Rush Limbaugh in his time slot. Now Ross is running for Congress on a platform of expanding health care coverage, creating jobs, and focusing on al Qaeda, not Iraq. After winning an intense three-way primary in a landslide, he’s now poised to defeat his Republican opponent in this open House seat. But he will only win if he can overcome a barrage of misleading and fear-mongering ads that outrageously allege that he "empowers terrorists." Help Dave Ross fight back, and show the Republicans that when they make these vicious attacks, they lose.

HELP A COLORADO VETERAN AND FARMER BRING NEW LEADERSHIP TO WASHINGTON
John Salazar is a potato farmer, veteran, legislator, and the brother of Ken Salazar, the Attorney General and U.S. Senate candidate who has also been endorsed by MoveOn. If elected, Salazar will be the first Hispanic person to be elected to Congress from Colorado. Salazar is currently leading in the polls but a barrage of negative attacks are expected from his well-funded Republican opponent. Let's help elect two progressive members of the Salazar family from Colorado in November.

LEADING THE RACE AGAINST RIGHT-WING FUNDER PETE COORS
Democrat Ken Salazar is a popular Colorado Attorney General running against long-time right-wing activist and beer magnate Pete Coors for this open U.S. Senate seat.  The day after winning the Republican primary, Coors said that instead of being at an event with Colorado voters, he "would rather be soaking in a bathtub smoking a cigar." Salazar has been elected twice statewide and he has a proven record of leadership, successfully defeating a Republican redistricting effort and arguing for countless progressive causes in the courts. If elected, Ken will be the first Latino in 30 years to be elected to the Senate and the only Latino ever elected outside of New Mexico. Salazar is leading in all recent polls, but already beginning to face an onslaught of nasty attacks. Help give Salazar the funds needed to fight back.

TAKE BACK A KEY REPUBLICAN SEAT IN SWING STATE PENNSYLVANIA
The surprise retirement of Republican Congressman Jim Greenwood has given Ginny Schrader a great chance of taking back a key Pennsylvania House seat. Schrader's story is a wonderful one: she worked her way through school while raising her children as a single mother, went back to law school at the age of 39, and became the first female Vice President and Counsel for a successful business. On the war she commented, "I believe we were misled into a war we should not have been in. This has cost us dearly in lives, resources and our standing in the world." We need people like Ginny in Washington.

PROGRESSIVE STATE SENATOR POISED TO WIN KEY BATTLEGROUND SEAT
State Senator Allyson Schwartz is battling to win a key open U.S. House seat in a campaign against Melissa Brown, a conservative Republican who apparently will use any smear tactic to win this race. Allyson has served for fourteen years as one of the most effective and innovative State Senators in the country, helping to create a children’s health care program covering 150,000 kids, expanding the state’s prescription drug program, and working on education issues. Melissa Brown has won two “Sleazy Awards” from the Philadelphia Inquirer for her 2002 and 2004 campaigns of "gross distortions and outright lies." In this campaign, Brown said that "airport screeners should be paying more attention to young, male Arab-American passengers." It is essential that we help Allyson win this important race.

THROW A STAUNCH BUSH ALLY OUT AND PUT A PROGRESSIVE LEADER IN
Jim Sullivan's campaign in Eastern Connecticut's 2nd district provides an excellent opportunity to knock off one of President Bush's staunchest allies in Congress, Rob Simmons. Recent polling data in this race shows a statistical dead heat, giving Jim a great chance to pick up a seat for Democrats. A progressive leader, Jim has opposed the misguided war in Iraq from the start and believes we need a plan to win the peace and bring our soldiers home. We need Jim Sullivan in Congress.

DEFEAT GOP-ER WHO SAYS: “STOP WHINING ABOUT JOB LOSSES”
South Carolina Education Commissioner Inez Tenenbaum has a strong chance of winning an open U.S. Senate seat in this Republican-leaning state. She is tough, independent, and well liked by voters after her 5-year term as State Education Commissioner. In 2002 Inez got more votes than anyone on the South Carolina ballot and polls show she can win again in 2004. Inez's opponent, Republican Rep. Jim DeMint, said we should "stop whining about job losses" when confronted about the issue of jobs at a South Carolina campaign forum.  DeMint has also proposed replacing corporate taxes with a federal sales tax that would shift the tax burden to poor people while further choking our economy. Inez needs our support in her quest to defeat DeMint and his regressive policies.

WELL-KNOWN MN SAFETY ADVOCATE RUNNING TO DEFEAT HOUSE CONSERVATIVE
Patty Wetterling has emerged as one of the most thoughtful and courageous Congressional candidates of 2004. Since the 1989 abduction of her son Jacob, Patty has been a tireless advocate for missing and exploited children. Her powerful campaign message -- that Congress must consider the effects its decisions will have on our children – is already resonating with Minnesota voters. Her positive message and progressive agenda give her a great chance of picking up a Republican-held U.S. House seat in November.