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Democrat John Russell Qualifies for 2008 Ballot!
Formally Announces Candidacy for Florida's 5th Congressional District in Bid to Oust Brown-Waite in 2008!
PRESS RELEASE - May 5, 2008
In an October Pasco Tribune article a Pasco County Democratic Party official stated… "We're focusing on candidates who can win elections and Russell isn't one of those candidates… "He's run and lost enough times."
Well… I waited and I waited until virtually the final minute… and I saw no "winner" stepping up as was promised. Therefore, today I am formally announcing my candidacy for U.S. Representative, District 5 Florida.
While the value of our currency plummets and prices rise accordingly… would it not be nice if wages rose together with prices so that folks could stay even, but as we all know, they do not… So… What has our representative accomplished to improve the lives of her constituents in the past two years?
In contrast to the congresswoman's political featherbedding in leading the congress in taxpayer funded mailings, most of which are gratuitous in nature, I hear people speak of foreclosure, declines in business and the rising cost of homeowners insurance and… everything else for those on fixed incomes, while hearing and seeing nada from our "salaried" representative.
While the congresswoman hands out commemorative coins with her likeness on them to a few carefully selected Veterans, I receive emails from disgruntled Veterans unhappy with the state of Veteran's affairs and pending legislation that would further inhibit their ability to access their well-earned and promised benefits. Where is their advocate?
Washington is broken and the people recognize that incumbents must be held accountable in 2008. Working Americans will elect candidates in 2008 that offer concrete solutions to their problems. As was the case in 2006, I will again offer real world solutions that will benefit the people that live in District 5, not large corporations. My plans will be detailed, rational and understandable for District 5 voters to consider.
I will shortly be updating my website to accurately reflect the issues as they have evolved since 2006.
The theme underlying my candidacy will not change, as in fact all that was important in 2006, has only become more relevant and more acute in 2008.
In 2008, I again ask the citizens of Congressional District 5 …
"Are You Better Off?" "Have You… Had Enough?"
I humbly ask you for your support... Thank you. John Russell
"Trust But Verify"
The Fight For A Fair, Accurate and Transparent Election Process in America
Public trust in the environment, management and apparatus that we as citizens use to select our leaders is fundamental to the preservation of a healthy and functioning representative democracy.
America does the world a disservice if it does not seek to take proper care in the electing of its leaders, given America’s great power which must be exercised with care and foresight commensurate to its power.
The people of this country deserve a better system for electing our leaders. The world deserves an America with a world-class election process to serve as model system of democracy. A system that is the best, is the only system that should be used to elect those who lead the most powerful country on earth.
Election Reform Document (Word document)
Issues with Holt Bill, HR 811 (Word document)
John Closes in on Brown-Waite
An independent poll, conducted before the Foley scandal, shows John within striking distance of the incumbent. When people were asked which Party they will be voting for this year in the congressional race 42% stated Democrat, 42% Republican with 17% undecided. The incumbent Congresswoman has only a 38% approval rating as well. The Russell Team have done this through a purely grassroots campaign...we can change the direction America is going this election! To become part of the Russell Team please donate, or volunteer. Thanks again to everyone who has already given and helped.
Click Here to see the full poll results.
United Transportation Union Endorses John
"The United Transportation Union has endorsed your candidacy for the 2006 Midterm Elections. Our members and their families, who live in your district, look forward to your victory on November 7th."
“I am honored to have the support of such an esteemed labor union, which goes back to the dawn of labor organization. I have, today, as a reminder of my Grandfathers career as a railroad engineer, his beautiful ‘Hamilton Railway Special’ pocket watch. Thank you for your support, I will not disappoint you.”
~John Russell
John is Victorious in the Primary!
"For nearly two years my campaign has worked hard to be positive, creative and effective. The results of this Primary show that John Russell is the choice of the Democratic voter and I am both elated and humbled by their choice. I am determined to not let them down, and I will ask for help from all directions: Democrats, Republicans, other parties and Independents. We are now in a very serious arena and I am playing to win."
John Russell
John is the now Democratic Candidate in District 5 to face off against Rep. Virginia Brown-Waite in November. We would like to send a huge thank you out to everyone who made this victory possible. We look forward to working with everyone in the general campaign to defeat the incumbent and send a true representative of the people of District 5 to Washington in November. Thanks again to all those who helped and supported John this far. More details and pictures will be coming soon.
John Gets Endorsed by Peace Now Citrus County
John Russell has consistently spoken out against the policy of a pre-emptive war in Iraq since it was first promoted by the Bush Administration in the months following the events on September 11, 2001. He has stood vigils, participated in activist protests of the war, and protested the war since before it started.
John Gets Endorsed by Florida DFA
In a message sent out on Monday evening, 8/28/06 Democracy For America notified, John Russell that he has been selected as the candidate who will best represent them in Florida's Congressional District 5.
The selection of John was based on his progressive platform as well as his extensive grassroots support.
In response to the endorsement by DFA, John said "I appreciate the recognition from the DFA membership of my long history of active engagement on behalf of the progressive cause. In addition, I want to thank our Russell Team volunteers, and welcome participation in the John Russell for Congress Campaign from Americans interested in actively working to change the direction of our country."
John's primary opponent was the only candidate in the race to receive negative votes in this competition.
John Gets Endorsed by AFSCME
"We are pleased to announce our endorsement for your candidacy for the United States House of Representatives. As always you have been supportive of working people and the unions they represent. And we appreciate your stance on individual rights and intrusive government issues in our everyday lives.
We also know that you will strive to see that all working Americans will be able to have affordable health care.
We feel that you will be an excellent representative and are looking forward to working with you to achieve a victory this fall."
President Local 3049
American Federation of State ,County and Municipal Employees
Russell Endorsed by Tampa Tribune / Pasco Tribune
“The Tribune endorses John Russell in the Sept. 5 Democratic Party primary for U.S. representative in the 5th District.”
“Three of the four candidates who sought to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite in the sprawling 5th Congressional District in 2004 are giving it another go. But one stands out: John Russell, an energetic acute-care nurse practitioner from the Dade City area. “
“Russell gives Democrats the best opportunity to retake the district. He is a much better candidate, more focused and detail-oriented than his opponents, and his expertise in health care would benefit greatly a district that is home to more military veterans than any other congressional district in the country.”
“Russell works at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa and holds master's degrees in business administration/health systems management and nursing.
He wants an orderly withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq as soon as possible; supports creating a national health insurance program; and pledges to fight for a new energy policy that is environmentally friendly and reduces the country's dependency on oil.”
“In addition, he supports an immigration policy that would crack down on employers of illegal immigrants and he opposes drilling for oil off Florida.”
“His attention to detail is reflected in recommendations to address the escalating property insurance crisis in Florida. He proposes a federal catastrophic insurance program that would spread out risk in coastal states, which could result in more companies doing business in Florida., and it illustrates that Russell has the determination and work ethic to tackle problems affecting Floridians.”
“Russell has surpassed his opponents in his knowledge of domestic issues and campaign organization, and he is more passionate about wanting to bring about change in Congress.”
John Shares a Laugh with Howard Dean at a Recent Democratic Get-Together
On July 26th Howard Dean made a surprise stop in Tampa and of course John was there to explain to Dean the opportunities in District 5. In meeting John, a fellow healthcare professional, Chairman Dean knows we have a driven candidate of conviction, in John Russell, running to unseat Virginia Brown-Waite. |
