Meet the Patriot Corps The Patriot Corps is the Progressive Patriots Fund's new campaign training program for field staff. We have hired,trained and sent staff to key races across the country. Senator Feingold has long believed that a strong grassroots field program is the key to electoral victory. He has designed the Patriots Corps to support important races nationwide. Click here to learn how you can be a member of the 2008 Patriot Corps Click here to watch video bios of the Patriot Corps Matt Blizek - Montana Democratic Party Watch video bio:     My name is Matt Blizek and I live in Madison, WI.  I was born and raised in Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa in 2003.  After that I moved to Madison and worked on the 04 election as an assistant director for the DNC fundraising canvas and then as a field organizer for MoveOn.org.  After the election I took a break from politics and got a nice cushy (boring) corporate job with Verizon.  Words can't describe how excited I am to be leaving corporate America to re-join the good fight!  We've got a great chance to take back both the House and Senate this year and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.   Britt Conroy - Patricia Madrid for Congress (NM) Watch video bio     Hey everybody. I'm Britt Conroy, I'm from Oregon, and I just finished grad school in Forced Migration - essentially refugee and immigration studies. My electoral campaign experience is limited to a brief stint as a volunteer with the Democratic Party in Philly in 2004, though I have done some grassroots advocacy work. With OSPIRG in Portland I worked on a project to pressure Oregon's governor to clean up the state's main waterway, and in Senegal I helped a human rights group carry out public awareness-building activities and lobby government officials.   Dan DeBauche - Tessa Hafen for Congress (NV) Watch video bio     Hi, I'm Dan DeBauche!  I grew up in Door County, WI, about 10 miles north of Sturgeon Bay.  For those of us that use our hand as a map, that would put me just above the knuckle of your thumb.  I graduated from the University of Minnesota in May with degrees in Political Science and Anthropology, and have been running field operations for local races in the Twin Cities for about a year, and have worked in every capacity from volunteer to Field Director.  I also spent some time as a director of the DNC's fundraising efforts in the Twin Cities this summer.   Since I first considered doing campaign work, I've long thought of working with Senator Feingold as my dream job, not only because he is my home Senator, but because I believe he embodies the best that politics and political candidates have to offer.  To have this opportunity is a true honor and a privilege.  Hope to see you at a victory party this November!   Jeremy Faust - Joe Sestak for Congress (PA) Watch video bio     "My name is Jeremy Faust.  Having grown up in Cincinnati, Ohio, I was privileged to have four years at the University of Colorado to discover the exciting world of international affairs and political science. Washington, DC pulled me in and I’ve since spent the last three years completing a law degree from George Washington Law. The process has given me an invaluable perspective on the world and allowed me to follow a few dreams along the way (six months working as a space lawyer at NASA among them). I rushed back to Cincinnati in 2004 to promote Kerry’s campaign in southwest Ohio, and though the result wasn’t what we had hoped, the inroads we made in ’04 have paid off. The state is clearly back in the purple category, threatening to turn blue. I’ve got high hopes for Ted Strickland’s reclaiming of the Governor’s mansion and Sherrod Brown’s chances of dethroning Mike DeWine in the Senate. Back in DC, I’ve been campaigning with a former professor who is making a bid for a DC City Council seat.  Though reluctant to leave the campaign early, DC is one of the few places where the democrat who wins the primary is nearly guaranteed victory in the general.  I can’t wait to begin discussions of our mission and watch the impact we can collectively make.   Rob Goldsmith - Bruce Braley for Congress / Iowa Democratic Party Watch video bio     My name is Rob Goldsmith.  I grew up in Byron Illinois, a small town just south of Rockford and about two hours northwest of Chicago. I graduated from Carthage College in Kenosha Wisconsin in 2005 with a degree in History. It was at Carthage where I found my love for politics. It all started with an internship with Senator Durbin in Chicago and turned into volunteering on Senator Feingold’s re-election campaign and on his Kenosha Steering Committee. After graduation I took a job as a researcher with Varoga and Rice, a Democratic Party political consulting firm in Oakland California. I have since been in living in California and I am really looking forward to getting the full experience of working on a campaign. I am also really into music; I sing and play the violin and alto sax.   John Gunn - California Democratic Party Watch video bio     I'm John Gunn.  That I'm likely the most seasoned and Southern (I’m from rural Alabama so Southern might be an understatement!) compared to the balance of the Corps surprises me not. I’m forty so plenty of years but even more miles.  'Home' has always been north of Roanoke, just below Tin Shop and Potash Ridge but not too far from Wehadkee, Bacon Level, or Hickory Flat.  I’ve either practiced “country law” or tried to teach teenagers, many from very deprived backgrounds, a little history or related social studies.  I’ve also played farm/cow hand on and off for most of my life.  I have an eleven year old boy but no marriages have taken so far. The son of a long departed Yellow Dog Democrat, I came of age watching my father’s love of politics.  I’ve recently helped knock off two decade plus incumbent State Senator Gerald “Dino” Dial, a favorite of the Big Mules that run my state.  I’m optimistic this fall is finally our chance to take back the House and maybe even the Senate.  I’m ready to change the direction of this nation and look forward to sharing that effort with each of you.  Baseball, parade, less humidity, good lefty Democrats ...  I can't wait!   Christina Jens - Bill Winter for Congress (CO) Watch video bio     Hi ya’ll, I’m Christina Jens.  I grew up in the urban areas of Iowa, and have always managed to find my way back home.  I went off to the East Coast for my first few years of college (Western Mass and Upstate NY), but was drawn back to Iowa State.  While there I was able to make a huge impact on campus life organizing the LGBT community.  I got an excellent, well rounded undergraduate education from 3 very different institutions, but after four years of college I got sick of discussing problems and left to try to do something about them.  I worked for the citizen outreach and fundraising arm of the State PIRG’s for 5 years, spending time in a number metro areas around the Upper Midwest and California.  Most recently I worked on a gubernatorial campaign here in Iowa, with a candidate whose main issues were clean elections and bringing politics back to the grassroots.  While I have some experience with most elements of campaign work, my heart lies with the field.  I see nothing more important in changing the direction of this country than getting people involved and investing them in the political process.   Megan Johnson - Lois Murphy for Congress (PA) Watch video bio     My name is Megan Johnson, I am from Kenosha, Wisconsin.  For those of you not from Wis, Kenosha is all the way south and all the way east in the state, not too far from Milwaukee or from Chicago even.  I just graduated from Notre Dame in May.  I majored in Anthropology and Peace Studies there.  As for campaigning experience, I volunteered here in Wis. in the 2004 elections and really liked it.  I am really excited about this opportunity and it sounds like everybody else is too.  A little bit more about me... I studied abroad in Chile for a semester (so I speak Spanish) and in south bend, had a job teaching English as a second language (to adults, not kids). Immigration issues are very important to me.  Besides politics, I've been interested in working for a non-profit org.   AJ Jongewaard - New Jersey Democratic Party Watch video bio     "My name is AJ Jongewaard.  As was everyone who wrote before, I am very excited about being a member of the Patriot Corps.  I possess a MN driver's license but have lived in many locations including Fargo, ND, Hudson, WI, Brussles Belgium and Fort Worth, TX. In December, 2005 I graduated from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX with a BA in International Relations and a couple minors (French and Interdisciplinary Studies).  While in school I did a lot of advocacy work for issues such as increasing voter awareness and promoting a living wage.  In 2005 I was a member of "Frogs for Kinky", a grassroots campaign for TX Independent Gubernatorial candidate and author, Kinky Friedman.  Most of my work with Kinky consisted of petitioning to ensure that his name would make the ballot, and raising awareness throughout the campus and local community for 'Kinky '06'."   Jodi Kreuser - Connecticut Democratic Party Watch video bio     My name is Jodi Kreuser, and I am from Wisconsin, hailing from the great city of Wausau.  I grew up in the area, spent a few years in Minnesota, and returned to be closer to my family.  I've been attending UW Marathon most recently, and am postponing my transfer to UW Madison until January.  As for my political background, I really dived during the '04 elections, serving as a ward leader and helping with various field work for Russ's and Kerry's campaigns.  I have spent the past four years as a program director at our local volunteer center, and am looking forward to bringing these experiences to the table as well.   Sam Liebert - Sherrod Brown for Senate/Ohio Democratic Party Watch video bio     Hey everyone, my name is Sam Liebert.  I feel a little under qualified, but I'll tell you all a little about me.  My family is originally from the Green Bay area, I was born in Milwaukee and moved to Janesville, WI when I was 5.  I'm currently 21 and a sophomore at University of Wisconsin - Rock County.  I started a chapter for the College Democrats of America on campus, and have been working really hard to get younger people involved in the community to vote.   I've had some experience with campaigns.  I worked on the 2004 Kerry/Edwards campaign as a volunteer.  I did everything from canvassing, phone banking....and yes even got the boss coffee when she needed it.  I'm also highly interested in history and the middle east.  I was actually in Israel this January and must say it's a beautiful country rich of history.   Mike McGourty - Steve Kagen for Congress (WI) Watch video bio     I'm Mike McGourty, and I'm from the Southside of Chicago.  I graduated from the University of Notre Dame in May with a degree in Poli Sci and Arabic Studies.  I've worked/volunteered in a variety of campaigns, most notably interning with the Edwards campaign in the summer of 2003 and most recently working as a State Site Coordinator for a Nebraska petition drive.   Noah Ornstein - Wisconsin Democratic Party Watch video bio     Hello.  My name is Noah Ornstein and I hail from Santa Barbara, California.  I am currently living in the thriving metropolis of West Hartford, Connecticut where I have been splitting my time between working in studio productions at ESPN and volunteering on Ned Lamont's campaign.  While this situation has been enjoyable enabling me to work in my two primary fields of interests, politics and television and film production, I am ready to hit the road and start working towards accomplishing some big things in November.  My most recent political experience prior to working on the Lamont campaign was back in 2004 during my college years, when I interned as an aide in my home district for Congresswomen Lois Capps.  Since then most of my work has been in television production, working on a variety of music videos, performance videos/electronic press kits, some commercials, and for both Fox Sports International and ESPN doing studio production work and writing.  I firmly believe that these elections present a great opportunity to substantially alter the political landscape of this country in a positive fashion, and am quite excited to be able to contribute and be at the center of it all.   Josh Penn - Amy Klobuchar for Senate (MN) Watch video bio     Hi, My name is Josh Penn, I am from New York City.  My background is not generally in campaign work, though I did do work on the 2004 presidential campaigns in Ohio.  I worked for several years as the station manager of a public radio station in Indiana where I attended Earlham College and received a degree in Non-profit management.  I am currently managing a theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland, but am leaving in order to join the Patriot Corps.  I am really excited about this opportunity to work for Russ Feingold who is, in my book, one of the most admirable politicians in America.  I look forward to meeting you all in a few weeks.   Stacia Stanek - Rich Olive for Iowa State Senate Watch video bio     I'm Stacia Stanek. I grew up on Onalaska, WI (right next to La Crosse, on the Mississippi river). I graduated from Onalaska High School in 2000 and went to college at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. I became interested in politics after I graduated in 2004 and I volunteered on Russ's reelection campaign here in La Crosse. I really respect him and find his integrity and leadership ability to be a model that all politicians should follow. I have a bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology and a minor in theatre from USC. I've also been taking french classes at UW-La Crosse in preparation for grad school. I'm hoping to attend Tufts in Boston for their International Relations program in Law and Diplomacy. Ideally, I will work for the United Nations some day. Anyway, I'm totally excited about this opportunity to meet a ton of fun people and hopefully get to travel to somewhere new and interesting.   Andy Thompson - Claire McCaskill for Senate (MO) Watch video bio     I'm Andy Thompson from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I just finished my junior year at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire double majoring in Political Science and Geology (I know, they don't seem like an obvious pairing, but I enjoy both a great deal and hope to find a way to combine them in my future work). I was an intern for Russ's 2004 reelection campaign in Western Wisconsin. As everyone can imagine, it was some of my proudest work. In July I attended Camp Wellstone. Also over the summer I interned with Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity, writing handbooks for various volunteer positions and discovering that my talents do not include home construction. For fun I like to golf and also juggle with a local troupe we formed mostly for fun but also to do a few shows here and there. I look forward to the wonderful opportunity to create positive change that this group will provide.   Justin Uebelhor - Patty Wetterling for Congress (MN) Watch video bio     My name is Justin Uebelhor and I'm from rural Southern Indiana.  That's IN-09 for anyone following the close congressional races.  I just graduated in May from Indiana University with a double major in Political Science and English and am excited about the opportunity to join the Patriot Corps.  I was a field department intern at People for the American Way last summer in Washington DC where we were concentrating on the Supreme Court.  I was a Deaniac during the 2004 primaries and came to Iowa to volunteer during the caucus.  Some of the various groups I was involved with at college were the Hoosier Rights Campaign, the Indiana University Civil Liberties Union, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.   Davida Walsh - John Courage for Congress (TX) Watch video bio     I'm Davida Walsh, and I'm from New York - split time growing up between Ithaca and East Northport.  I went to UW-Madison for undergrad, during which time I interned for Sen. Feingold for a semester in Middleton.  I paralegaled in Manhattan for a year after college, and just finished law school at Boston University & the NY bar.  I have no campaign experience except for a brief stint stuffing envelopes when I was about 12, but I hope that I will be able to contribute anyway!   Bethany Young - Heath Shuler for Congress (NC) Watch video bio     Hi everyone, my name is Bethany Young and I'm from Neenah, WI (about a half an hour away from Green Bay for those of you not from Wisconsin).  I went to school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majored in Journalism and Political Science.  I've been volunteering for various campaigns since I came to college, for Al Gore in 2000, Howard Dean during the primary season 2004, and precinct leader for MoveOn for Kerry in 2004.  I also consider myself to be somewhat of a writer, and my ultimate goal is to get into speech writing.   Jason Zapf - Michigan Democratic Party Watch video bio     My name is Jason Robert Zapf.  I was born and raised (and still live) in Kenosha, WI.  I attended college at Carthage College here in Kenosha and received by B.A. in Political Science (with a focus in Constitutional Law and Foreign Policy) and a minor in History (just graduated in May!). Politics has pretty much been my life so far (I was born during one of my father's campaigns for Kenosha D.A.).  I did GOTV calls for Edwards before the 2004 Wisconsin Dem Primary, and currently am Campaign Manager for my father's campaign for Kenosha D.A.  My political experience covers pretty much every aspect: Mostly political strategy,  but also communications, media relations (both earned and paid), fundraising, GOTV aspects, volunteer and event coordination, etc.  I've worked as manager on my father's campaign, and I've also worked a bit with Kathleen Falk (Dem. Candidate for WI AG this fall) and have worked extensively with Rep. Jim Kreuser on my father's campaign (WI State Assembly Minority Leader).  I'm very anxious to move up from local politics to working on a larger campaign.