I had the pleasure of meeting
Linda Stender this weekend; she's running against Bush toadie Mike Ferguson in the 7th.
After talking with her and a group of supporters for over an hour, I'm absolutely convinced that Linda can win this thing - but only if we in the Democratic community raise awareness of the race.
Taking this seat would be a huge blow to the Republican machine. This is an outstanding opportunity for a pickup; best of all, it's winnable. That's why Linda Stender is an ActBlue Netroots candidate:
actblue.com/page/netrootscandidates
Linda, for those who haven't met her, is a smart, personable, engaging candidate who has a positive message that she delivers while clearly contrasting herself to Ferguson.
- She is for stem-cell research; Ferguson is not (the stories about Ferguson's cold-hearted dismissals of advocates of stem-cell research - people who have children who suffer from terrible diseases - are absolutely true).
- She is for a woman's right to choose - he is not (and that matters now more than ever).
- She is for putting together a plan with our military to get our brave men and women out of Iraq, and finish the job in Afghanistan - he is not (unlike Mike, Linda has been a true voice for those of us in the 7th who have family and friends in the military serving overseas).
- Linda has a PROVEN track record of fiscal sanity, keep spending and taxes low while Mayor of Fanwood; Ferguson has signed off on the largest growth in deficits in our country's history.
In short, Linda Stender is a progressive centrist - someone who lives New Jersey's values, and someone who will stand up to this incompetent administration and hold them accountable.
Linda's in a tough fight, but she is an incredibly hard worker, and a very inspiring leader. I watched her energize a room of moderates after a full day of campaigning with her positive, progressive message.
We Democrats have a real chance to take this one. We need to:
- Raise her name recognition, through personal contacts and other campaign tactics.
- Raise the profile of this race, through letters to the editor, campaign events, canvassing, etc.
- Raise money. Sorry, this is an expensive media market, and the money matters. It helps that Linda has an effective message and good ads (check out www.lindastenderforcongress.com and see for yourself).
- Get Out the Vote. About 38% of the voters in the 7th are in Union County, Linda's base; less than 20% are in Hunterdon and Somerset, Ferguson's base (if someone has more exact numbers, please post in the comments, and I'll correct the post). This district is OVERWHELMINGLY independent. If she can get out the vote, we win - especially if Mike's voters, sick of Bush, sit this one out.
I know the Senate race is important, but so is taking back the House. If we win this seat, we can begin to undo the damage of the past five years.
This is not a safe seat for Ferguson - let's take it back for the people of NJ.
Let's elect Linda Stender for Congress.
Cross-posted to bluejersey.net