Democracy for America Endorses Chellie Pingree for United States House of Representatives

Released: Jul 1, 2008 10:47 AM

Released: July 1, 2008

BURLINGTON, VT – DemocracyForAmerica.com, our nation’s largest progressive political action community, has endorsed Chellie Pingree’s campaign to represent Maine’s 1st Congressional District.
 
“Chellie Pingree, as a business owner and elected representative, has shown she has what it takes to lead and Democracy for America is proud to endorse her campaign,” said Jim Dean, Chair of DFA.  “Chellie Pingree is a tested leader who has the skills and experience that her constituents deserve.”
 
Chellie has been actively engaged in three decades of work for change.  This has ranged from serving the residents of  North Haven on the school board to leading more than 300,000 members and supporters across the nation as the president and CEO of Common Cause to serving eight years in the Maine State Senate.
 
In the legislature, Chellie stood firm for social and economic justice, and never backed down from taking on powerful adversaries--most notably the pharmaceutical lobby.  In the Legislature, Chellie took on the pharmaceutical companies to pass a first-in-the-nation program to lower the price of prescription drugs in Maine.  Always mindful of Maine's need for economic development, Chellie was chair of the Economic Growth Council.
 
Chellie is a small business owner and farmer who understands the economic policies of George Bush, John McCain, and the Republican Party are not in the best interests of Mainers.  She created jobs for community as owner and manager of North Island Yarns and North Island Designs.  Chellie’s current business is Nebo Lodge, an inn and restaurant on North Haven.
 
"The most important part of my campaign has been one on one interaction with the voters at the grassroots level--which is why I'm thrilled to be endorsed by Democracy for America, an organization committed to grassroots organizing," said Chellie Pingree.
 
Democracy for America is the key endorsement in this race, bringing donations from progressives and providing volunteers to participate in door-to-door, grassroots outreach.  DFA has helped elect over 550 progressives to office from Governor Deval Patrick in Massachusetts to Rep. Jerry McNerney in California’s 11th Congressional District.
 
“Chellie Pingree knows we have to break our dependence on foreign oil, support development of alternative sources of energy, and fix our broken health care system to guarantee we leave our children and grandchildren a better world,” said Arshad Hasan, Executive Director of Democracy for America.  “Chellie Pingree’s commitment to progressive values shows she is ready to go to Washington and tackle and solve the tough problems.”
 
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