True Blue vs. Bush Dog Blue

January 6, 2008, Lindenhurst, IL

PDA Illinois 8th District Chapter has reason to cheer. After two terms of an elephant in a donkey suit representation, a true progressive Democrat has emerged to challenge the DINO incumbent, Melissa Bean, in the 2008 congressional primary.

Randi Scheurer, Peace Candidate, is running a grassroots campaign and has earned endorsements from Independent Voters of Illinois, Act Blue, and now the 8th district PDA chapter of Lake and McHenry County, Illinois.

In 2004 voters in this district voted out an out of touch, 30-year incumbent Republican for Democratic representation, but what they got was Republican light.

After many years as a member of the Republican Party, seeing easy pickings in the 8th district, Melissa Bean ran as a Democrat and beat Phil Crane. True to her Republican roots, when it counted most, Melissa Bean voted with the Republicans. She voted for the bankruptcy bill that strangles consumers and gives big business a pass. She voted for the Bush energy bill tax giveaway to the oil companies. She voted for the "Patriot Act" renewal, with its secret search and seizure powers. Bean continues to vote to fund the war in Iraq and reports that on her trip to the green zone she can see progress in the occupation. She cast a deciding vote for CAFTA, the “free trade” bill that hurts workers here and in Central America. The list goes on. Her biggest supporters are big business, and she has earned the backing of the extremely conservative Bush Administration's U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Randi Scheurer, a retired educator, is a solidly middle-class mom who understands the needs of her community and will make sure to represent their best interests. As a breast cancer survivor, she knows how difficult it is to get affordable insurance. Randi supports single-payer, not-for-profit, universal healthcare.

Randi has been a vocal opponent of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. As a member of Military Families Speak Out with two children in the military, one of whom has just returned from Iraq, Randi knows the agony of what many families face on a daily basis with their loved ones deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The burden of this war has fallen disproportionately on the poor and middle class, and Randi will fight to end the occupation and bring the troops home in 2008.

Right down the line, Randi Scheurer is in agreement with PDA priorities and will champion them in congress.

The time is right for a true progressive to lead the district. The war and the economy are going to be the Achilles' heel for Republicans throughout the country, and we have the best chance in years to keep the seat but change the hue to deep blue in Illinois 8. Randi Scheurer has the energy, the commitment, the head and the heart to do the job and win the race. PDA Illinois Eight District Chapter believes Randi Scheurer is the best candidate to represent the people's progressive agenda in 2008.

For more information on Randi's campaign visit www.freethedemocrats.com.

If your chapter is interested in pursuing a national PDA endorsement for a progressive candidate like Randi Scheurer, please download and follow this endorsement policy. You may direct questions or comments to Diane@pdamerica.org.

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True Blue vs. Bush Dog Blue

January 6, 2008, Lindenhurst, IL