Peace Action West played a critical role in the 2008 election, putting our resources and grassroots power behind eight pro-peace congressional candidates. To ensure maximum impact, we worked in close races where we could have the most influence. Our staff and volunteers worked diligently to educate and turn out voters, and our supporters generously donated nearly $30,000 to help progressive, pro-peace candidates
win their elections. We are pleased that 5 out of the
8 candidates we assisted won their races and will
now be able to help move U.S. foreign policy in the
right direction.
California
PROGRESS!
Bill Durston (CA-3)
Peace Action West supporters made thousands of phone calls in support of Bill Durston. In addition, we deployed 23 staff members to his campaign for door-to-door contact on Election Day. Although Durston lost to incumbent Dan Lungren 49% to 44%, the result was a significant improvement from his 22-point loss in 2006. This campaign helped show that grassroots candidates, fueled more by people than by money, can be competitive.
VICTORY!
Jerry McNerney (CA-11)
Congressman Jerry McNerney won re-election thanks to the help of Peace Action West in spite of the fact that his seat was one of the GOP’s most coveted
in the nation. Rep. McNerney held his seat in a competitive race, defeating
Dean Andal 56% to 45%.
Colorado
VICTORY!
Jared Polis (CO-2)
With the help of Peace Action West, Congressman Jared Polis of Boulder was elected to Congress to represent the 2nd Congressional District of Colorado. We chose to support Polis for his strong stance against the war in Iraq. Polis defeated Republican Scott Starin 62%
to 34%.
VICTORY!
Betsy Markey (CO-4)
Organizer David Anderson from Peace Action West spent 4 weeks working full-time in candidate Markey’s main campaign office in Fort Collins. Markey defeated one of the most conservative members of the House of Representatives, incumbent Marilyn Musgrave, by a margin of 56% to 44%.
Minnesota
VICTORY!
Al Franken (MN-Senate)
The world will be safer – and the Senate will be a bit more lighthearted – thanks to the election of former Saturday Night Live comedian Al Franken to the Senate. In addition to raising money for the campaign, Peace Action West sent one of its most talented organizers, Dashielle Vawter, to the Franken campaign for three weeks. With nearly 2.9 million votes cast, Al Franken defeated incumbent Norm Coleman by just 312 votes. One of the most conservative members of the Senate, Coleman scored ZERO on Peace Action West’s scorecard.
Oregon
VICTORY!
Jeff Merkley (OR-Senate)
Peace Acton West sent organizer Lindsay Caldwell to the Merkley campaign for 3 weeks. Lindsay served as a field organizer in the Salem, OR office and helped recruit and train volunteers. Merkley defeated incumbent Sen. Gordon Smith, 49% to 46%. Smith received a low 36% score on Peace Action West’s 2007 congressional scorecard.
Close Defeats
Despite strong support from Peace Action West, the following candidates were unsuccessful in their Congressional bids:
We supported Iraq veteran Ashwin Madia in his bid to claim an open seat and represent Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional district. Madia lost to Republican Erik Paulsen 41% to 49%.
Peace Action West put our efforts behind Darcy Burner to defeat Congressman Dave Reichert in Washington’s 8th Congressional District. Reichert scored a meager 9% on Peace Action West’s congressional scorecard in 2007. We sent organizer J Iness to the campaign, but in one of the closest races of the year, Burner lost to Reichert 47.8% to 52.2%. |