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Progressive Democrats of America and Our Revolution Announce Strategic Partnership

Sep 19, 2018

By Mike Hersh for Progressive Democrats of America

The two organizations most responsible for building on the Bernie Sanders-inspired political revolution announce plans to work together on Medicare for All and Midterm Elections.

Our Revolution (OR) and the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) are excited to announce a formal partnership established by both organizations’ national boards. OR and PDA will work together on advancing progressive issues like Medicare for All, and restoration of voting rights for those who’ve paid their debt to society, as well as electing progressive candidates this November. PDA and Our Revolution have cooperated on actions against Trumpcare and the Affordable Care Act repeal, and in support of the People’s Platform, a series of progressive and transformative core policies and issues.

“Our Revolution looks forward to our continued work and partnership with PDA,” said Our Revolution President Nina Turner. “Before Sen. Sanders’ historic presidential run, people thought ideas like Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage, and tuition-free college were impossible to achieve. In only a few short years we’ve changed the narrative on what is possible in this country and now the American people are on our side.”

Turner added, “Our partnership with PDA will continue to change the narrative about what is possible, and result in many more newly elected progressive leaders who will work to implement our progressive vision for the country. Progressive Democrats of America was the first national group to endorse Senator Sanders for President, and since Our Revolution’s founding, has been our partner on issues, candidates, and reforming the Democratic Party.”

Incoming PDA Executive Director Alan Minsky said, “PDA’s relentless ‘Run Bernie Run’ campaign, launched in 2014, directly contributed to Sen. Bernie Sanders’ decision to run for president in the Democratic primaries. PDA and the nationwide grassroots effort that evolved into the 501(c)(4) organization Our Revolution worked throughout the 2016 campaign to support Sen. Sanders’ out-of-nowhere challenge for the Democratic nomination. PDA and OR continue to empower the millions-strong movement that Bernie Sanders’ campaign energized.”

Minsky added, “Working together, OR led by President Nina Turner and incoming Executive Director Dr. Heather Gautney and PDA will continue to grow the progressive political revolution necessary to elect progressive candidates and build towards a progressive governing majority, and thereby enact widely popular reforms including: Medicare For All, a Living Wage, Free College and Vocational Training, Clean and Fair Elections, Inclusive Prosperity, Protecting the Climate, and Equality and Justice for All. Stunning upsets in this year’s Democratic primaries by progressive candidates—including Ben Jealous, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Andrew Gillum, and Ayanna Pressley—as well as consistent public polling results have shown that Americans support candidates and organizations that speak out and stand up for the 99%, even when that requires directly challenging the status quo and incumbents who are insufficiently dedicated to achieving needed progress.”

About Our Revolution

Our Revolution supports progressive champions at every level of government. By supporting candidates up and down the ballot, we are aiming to transform American politics to make our political and economic systems responsive to the needs of working families. Our Revolution has over 600 local groups in 49 states and nine countries.

Our Revolution’s Board includes Our Revolution President and former Ohio Senator Nina Turner, Labor organizer and Board Chair Larry Cohen, Native American Leader and  Vice-Board Chair Deborah Parker, National Radio Commentator and Writer Jim Hightower,  Arab American Human Rights Leader Jim Zogby, Environmental and Rural Leader and Board Treasurer Jane Kleeb, Former Chief of Staff for Sen. Bernie Sanders Huck Gutman, Actress and Environmental Leader Shailene Woodley, South Carolina State Representative Justin Bamberg, Our Revolution South Carolina member Lucero E. Mesa, and Our Revolution Illinois Chicago member Richard Rodriguez.

For more information on Our Revolution visit, https://ourrevolution.com.

About Progressive Democrats of America (PDA)

PDA  is a grassroots political action committee, founded in 2004 to transform the Democratic Party and U.S. politics by electing progressives to federal office. PDA’s Healthcare Not Warfare campaign brings together the need for a comprehensive universal healthcare system with our advocacy for scaled-down military spending and increased reliance on diplomatic foreign policy, rather than military action and regime change.

The PDA National Advisory Board includes progressive members of Congress: Representatives Barbara Lee, Keith Ellison, Raul Grijalva, and James McGovern; as well as progressive leaders such as Academy Award winning documentarian Michael Moore, Actress / Activist Mimi Kennedy, Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler, Author Jim Hightower, and Radio Hosts / Authors Lila Garrett and Thom Hartmann. Activists Michael Lighty, Medea Benjamin, Steve Cobble, Kristin Cabral, Dr. Paul Song, M.D., Belen Sisa, and Professor Marjorie Cohn also serve on the PDA Advisory Board, which is chaired by the exemplary activist Donna Smith.

1 Comment

  1. John Schreiner

    Great idea on the partnership with Our Revolution. Keep up your important work.

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