Archive for April, 2005
The current edition of the Arlington Connection includes this story on the race, with the following about David:
David Englin, a former Air Force officer turned political consultant, has raised about $35,000 since the start of his campaign. Englin’s largest individual contributor is Michael English, his younger brother. After marrying his wife, Shayna Wolin, Englin — born David English — chose to combine his moniker with hers.
The money donated by his brother, a local artist, Englin said, carries sentimental attachment dating back to his childhood.
“I was raised by a single mom,” said Englin. “When she found out she was pregnant with me, she started saving away a little bit each week, like $5 at a time. She was the kind of person who saved over many years. That money grew.”
Englin’s mother passed away four years ago, leaving the money with Michael.
“All of the reasons I’m in public service, all of the reasons I’m a Democrat, are tied to the values my mother instilled in us,” said Englin.
Englin raised almost $8,000 via online donations, more than 20 percent of his fundraising total. The Englin campaign’s Web site is drawing much attention.
“There’s a clear contrast in the types of races that are being waged in Virginia,” said Brian Reich, editor of Campaign Web Review, a weblog that explores how political campaigns use the Internet. “One is the traditional, media-driven kind of campaign that uses expensive television advertising. The other kind of campaign, which Englin is running, uses a grassroots effort to create a much larger and more committed group of supporters. The Englin campaign’s use of the Web is above the level of many congressional campaigns,” said Reich. “I’m sure that’s driving their unusually high rate of online donations.”
Many thanks to Stephen Snell for hosting a terrific mixer this evening at the Belle View condominiums in Mount Vernon. Aside from a chance to spend more time getting to know people in Mount Vernon, the event included yet another campaign milestone: The first picture of the candidate kissing a baby!
David went from the mixer to the monthly meeting of the Arlington County Young Democrats, where he shared with them his strong vision for building the Democratic Party for the future.
“Our campaign is focused on building the grassroots for the future,” said David. “We’re running this campaign out of our home, which now has six phone lines that , win or lose in June, we plan to use to help get other Democrats elected.”
“We’re already lining up volunteer phone banks for after June 14th to help elect David Poisson, Greg Werkheiser, Bruce Roemmelt, and Tim Kaine,” said David.
“Whomever represents the 45th district has an obligation to help get other Democrats elected so we can change the face of the General Assembly and actually get our progressive legislation passed.”
While David was out on the campaign trail, Campaign Central was abuzz with volunteers — including a number of new faces — culminating another amazing week of grassroots energy.
Earlier in the week, David and Shayna enjoyed the hospitality of Bert and Louise Ransom, who hosted a gathered of their neighbors in their Alexandria home.
“Between all of the events and our amazing volunteers efforts, so far, this has been one of our busiest and most successful weeks yet,” said David.
With just over six weeks to go, now is the time to volunteer and become part of David’s fight for a progressive future!
David is proud to accept the endorsement of civil rights leader and activist the Reverend Dr. Bert Ransom. Rev. Ransom, former assistant pastor of Alexandria’s Alfred Street Baptist Church, was a friend of and served as an aide to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during the Montgomery, Alabama, Bus Boycott in 1955-56 and throughout the Civil Rights Movement.
“Bert is an amazing and unique individual who has devoted his life to bringing people together to create change,” said David. “I’m honored to have his endorsement and his friendship, and I look forward to working with him to fight for progressive change from the grassroots up.”
Rev. Ransom is well known in the Alexandria community as an activist, leader, and public servant on a range of civil rights and social justice issues. He has been chair of the Alexandria Criminal Justice Advisory Board, a member of the Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Advisory Council, and and vice president of the Fayette Court Corporation, which is dedicated to preserving affordable homeownership opportunities. He has also been an executive board member of the Alexandria NAACP, and was the founder and coordinator of a mentoring program for at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. Rev. Ransom travels around the world promoting peace and nonviolence as the president of REACH (Racial Equality and Cultural Harmony), Inc. Bert and Louise Ransom live in Alexandria.
Scott Moore and his wife, Karen Growney, have never really been involved in politics before. But Scott, a friend of David’s from way back in his days at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Karen were inspired by David’s commitment to fighting for a progressive future and have gotten involved with gusto. They have gone door-to-door and called voters on the phones - both firsts for Scott and Karen.
“I met David when we were eighteen-year-olds, just beginning our four years at the Academy. I know him to be an incredibly intelligent, articulate, and honorable person. I’ve seen him fight for progressive values even when it wasn’t easy and he was in the minority. Karen and I are thrilled to be a part of his campaign.”
Join Scott as a Team Englin volunteer! Get in touch with Field Director Mara at volunteer@davidenglin.org or 703-549-3203 to find out how.
While David participated in the Arlington County Democratic Committee’s candidate’s forum, Campaign Central was full to brimming with volunteers reaching out on the phones to the voters in the 45th.
At the candidate’s forum, the candidates discussed their positions on issues ranging from traffic to No Child Left Behind. Several differences among the candidates became clear, particularly on the question of whether No Child Left Behind is good for Virginia.
David stood firm in his conviction that No Child Left Behind doesn’t make sense for Virginia because it is bad for teachers, bad for students, and is a massive federal unfunded mandate that is driving up our property taxes. The candidates also discussed their commitment to building the Democratic party, and David had an opportunity to acknowledge the legions of Team Englin volunteers, including the dozen who were at Campaign Central at that very moment.
“It was great to share my strong progressive message with my neighbors in the Arlington parts of the 45th at the candidate’s forum, and then come home to a house full of volunteers,” said David. “We’re going to win this race on the strength of the grassroots organization we’re building, and I can’t thank our Team Englin volunteers enough.”
