PDA 2006 Election Video
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Election Information
PDA Candidates: Our Thanks for a Job Well Done!
Battle of the Hawks
The Democratic Race Will Continue...
Will Pennsylvania Matter At All?...
If You Were Opposed to this War Before It Started, the Choice is Clear--Barack Obama Got It Right!
Current Endorsed Candidate Campaigns
Click on candidate's name to see list of articles.
Armitage, Faye (Congress, FL-07)Other Races of Interest
The America We Love
Clinton Concedes, Endorses Obama
Sen. Kerry Addresses PDA Members' Concerns
Obama, Clinton and What Has Been Achieved
Progressive Democrats of the Verde Valley Give the Nod to Howard Shanker in Arizona's 1st CD
Advantage Obama
USW Endorses Obama
PDA CO Chapter Endorses Joan Fitz-Gerald for Congress
Party Like It's 1932: The Obama Option
Obama Is Right
Mary Pallant Receives Ventura County Chapter Endorsement
Barack the Vote In the Remaining States
Clinton Has What It Takes
Armitage Wins Endorsement of Greater Daytona PDA Chapter
Clinton's Cringe-Worthy Moment
Give Dennis Kucinich His Due
A Personal Note from Dennis Kucinich
John Edwards Suspends Campaign
US Corporate Elite Fear Candidate Edwards
Kucinich: For the Record
Obama Thanks Kucinich for Encouraging His Backers to Make Obama Their Second Choice
Take a look at Joe Biden--There's a lot in him for Progressives
PDA Energy for Kucinich for New Hampshire!
PDA Members for Edwards take aim at Iowa
Ralph Nader supports Edwards' anti-corporate message
Edwards Delivers Speech On Lifting Up America's Middle Class
Kucinich Hits Homerun in Jefferson's Hometown
PDA - The Freedom to Choose
PDA Rocks!
Bill Richardson
Why I'm supporting John Edwards: It's time for a Progressive President with Coat Tails
Why Should PDA Support Dennis Kucinich?
Signs of Desperation?
Edwards: Senator Clinton Must Take a Stand on Peru Trade Deal
Kucinich Will Introduce Privileged Resolution To Force Vote On Impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney TODAY
Kucinich's Challenge
Will Democrats Follow John Edwards On Trade--And Win Elections?
John Edwards: Sick of Bush's Rank Hypocrisy
Why is John Edwards leading in Iowa?
Saving the Middle Class: A Real-Not Rhetorical-Plan
"To Build One America, End the Game"
'Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win'
John Edwards and "You"
As if our lives depend on it…
Why Progressives Should Support John Edwards for President
Edwards is the only progressive candidate who can win the presidency
Introducing Dennis Kucinich
Edwards will give Kucinich a fight for the progressive vote
Dennis Kucinich represents the Heart & Soul of PDA
What Makes Laura Bonham Run: PDA Staff Member Runs for Utah State Legislature
Clint Curtis is changing the tide in Florida
PDA Welcomes Sen. Feingold to Maryland
Rep. Conyers Endorses PDA National Board Member John Bonifaz for Massachusetts Secretary of State
John Bonifaz for Secretary of State (MA)
January 12, 2006--District Six in Illinois, Rep. Henry Hyde's former seat, is up for grabs in 2006. Several candidates have thrown their hats into the ring, but one candidate stands out above all. Christine Cegelis, single mother of two, pushed Hyde into early retirement with her run in 2004 by gaining 44% of the vote in this district that is supposedly unwinnable for Democrats. In 2006, Cegelis is running again, and this time she fully intends to win.
Christine Cegelis is a progressive to be admired. She speaks eloquently of her opposition to the Iraq occupation, and of the need for the United States to join the global community by joining the community of nations in support of the Kyoto Protocol. The issues closest to her political heart, the issues that matter most to the sixth district, center on job creation and the establishment of a robust economy for her constituents.
"I listened to my sons and their friends when they came out of college," says Cegelis, "heard about all the debt they were carrying and how hard it was to find jobs. All the jobs that young people can take in areas like Information Technology are being outsourced. We are heading in the wrong direction economically."
"I have always believed," says Cegelis, "that you are supposed to hand over the country to your children in better shape than you received it. We are not doing that. I went to a state college and worked a minimum wage job for $2.50 an hour. Even with that small wage, I was able to afford an apartment, a car, tuition and books, and was able to graduate in four years with no debt. That is impossible now, and that has to change."
Cegelis has specific plans for the development of economic vitality in her district. "This district is losing jobs for the first time in 50 years," says Cegelis, "and a lot of that has to do with O'Hare Airport. O'Hare has been the economic anchor of this district for years, but thanks to Henry Hyde, the airport stopped expanding and those jobs disappeared. O'Hare used to be the transportation hub for the country, but we have fallen behind, and I intend to change that."
"I see the development of alternative sources of energy as another job creator for this district," says Cegelis. "We have one of the largest bases of light manufacturing in the country here in this district, and some of the best engineering schools to be found anywhere. Developing an alternative energy industry in the Sixth District will not only help the environment, but will create many jobs for the people here."
The political beliefs of Christine Cegelis combine broad, progressive ideals with the kind of pragmatic wisdom that the people of her district need. Her elevation to the House of Representatives would be a tremendous boon not only to the Sixth District of Illinois, but to the entire country. Following the endorsement by PDA's Chapter in Illinois' 6th Congressional District, national Progressive Democrats of America warmly and enthusiastically endorsed Christine Cegelis in this race.
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