Pick a Progressive Patriot: House II - 2006 Here are the eight Congressional candidates nominated by the grassroots and selected by Senator Feingold by the Progressive Patriots. All are fighting for our values against incumbent Republicans.   Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten Gillibrand is running for Congress to help bring accountability and honest leadership back to our national government. Gillibrand is an accomplished attorney of 15 years and civic leader in both the public and private sectors. As a wife and mother with deep roots in the region, she understands what New York’s 20th District needs to meet the challenges our communities are facing and is committed to fighting for what matters to our families. As Special Counsel to the Secretary of HUD during the Clinton Administration, Andrew Cuomo, Gillibrand worked to strengthen Davis-Bacon Act enforcement and draft new markets legislation for building infrastructure in lower income areas. Gillibrand will continue her service on behalf of those who protect American values and American workers by setting the right priorities to end the current culture of corruption in Washington and restore fiscal discipline. To visit Gillibrand’s website, please go to www.gillibrand2006.com. Tessa Hafen Tessa Hafen is a proud, third-generation southern Nevadan who was born and raised in Henderson. For the past eight years, she has served Nevadans in Washington, D.C., working for United States Senator Harry Reid, Nevada’s senior senator. Tessa helped guide policy and legislation that had a direct impact on Nevadans. She worked on issues such as health care, education, energy, conservation, the environment, small business tax credits, homeland security, prescription drugs, Social Security and Yucca Mountain. Public service has been a way of life for Tessa and her family. She grew up participating in the local political process with her father, Henderson City Councilman Andy Hafen, and has dedicated her own career to public service. Her extensive first-hand experience working within government has been a powerful influence on Tessa and her desire to serve a community that has been home for generations. Tessa’s website is online at www.tessahafen.com.     John Laesch John Laesch was born into a missionary family in West Africa. In 1986, the Laesch family returned to the United States and settled on a small farm in Newark, Illinois. John joined the United States Navy and served our country as an intelligence analyst. Laesch was stationed in the Middle East for most of his military career where he was responsible for monitoring terrorist activity and analyzing foreign political and military structures. After his service, Laesch graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in History, and minors in Political Science and Communications. At the onset of the Iraq War, John got involved in politics; taking on higher leadership roles in each campaign. After his younger brother, Sgt. Pete Laesch, received orders for Iraq, John challenged the Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert and became the first “Fighting Dem” to get on the ballot for the 2006 election. To visit John’s website, please go to www.john08.com. Monica Lindeen Monica Lindeen grew up believing that America was the greatest nation on earth, and as such, she had the freedom and opportunity to pursue whatever dreams she wished. Monica believes in our obligation to ensure that our children and grandchildren have those same opportunities. As a legislative leader, Monica was instrumental in the “2004 Montana Miracle”—Democrats regained the Governor’s office, the Senate, and tied up the House. In the legislature, Monica moved forward a progressive agenda in economic development, renewable energy, healthcare and education. A business woman, Monica was a pioneer, bringing the internet into homes and businesses across the state. Enjoying outdoor activities with her family, Monica was endorsed by the NRA as a legislative candidate and will protect our public lands. Her race for Congress is motivated by the values her grandparents and parents taught her and her commitment to Montana’s working families. Visit Monica’s website, www.lindeen.net.     David Loebsack Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Dave grew up in poverty, raised by a single mother with mental illness. But Dave made it, through hard work, support from the community, and the safety net created by Democrats. Dave earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree at Iowa State University and a Ph.D. in political science at University of California, Davis. Dave has taught political science at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa since 1982, specializing in the politics of developing countries and American foreign policy. Dave is a frequent commentator for the media for his expertise in international relations. Dave is a leader and grassroots activist in education, human rights and economic justice. Dave and his wife Teresa have four grown children. “Because of where I came from, I will never stand by and let the loud voices of the powerful turn my attention from those who most need our help.” To visit Dave online, please go to www.loebsackforcongress.org. Eric Massa Eric Massa was born into a U.S. Navy family. Navy assignments situated the Massa family at both domestic and international locations. International assignments for the Massa family helped to produce Eric Massa´s fluency in several languages. Eric Massa graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981. Throughout his career he served on nine ships, leading over 5000 personnel, often in hostile conditions including operations in Beirut and Desert Storm. Massa´s capstone Navy assignment was as Special Assistant for Congressional Liaison to then Supreme Allied Commander (Europe) four-star General Wesley Clark. Massa and Clark worked closely together during General Clark’s top-level assignments in Washington, Panama and Belgium. Massa returned home from Europe to successfully beat a terminal diagnosis of cancer. Following his retirement from the Navy, Eric Massa and his family decided to settle in Corning, New York, where they reside today. Eric is now a full time candidate to Congress, seeking the seat for the 29th District of New York. To visit Massa online, please go to www.massaforcongress.com.     Barry Welsh A life-long resident of Eastern Indiana, Barry Welsh is the candidate for change in the 6th District in the Hoosier State. As the under-funded and unknown candidate for Indiana State Senate District 42 in 2004, Barry and his team polled as high as 46% against a long time incumbent. He has now set his sights on Congress and ensuring our leaders in Washington never again put profits before people. As a former public school teacher and coach, Barry values education as “the springboard of opportunity for any child who has a dream.” Barry comes from a working family and was a former IBEW member while working his way through Ball State University, so Barry knows what it means to work and “live it, not just say it.” Barry is married to wife Sherri Welsh and together they have four daughters: Stephanie 11, Kelli 17, Saren 19, and Caylen 21. To visit Barry’s website, please go towww.barrywelsh.org. Bill Winter Marine and Navy veteran Bill Winter perceives public service as a patriotic calling. As an orphan with a heart condition, Bill was not adopted until he was five. After ten years in the military, he left a lucrative law firm to teach high school and coach football because “I was making money but I wasn’t making a difference.” Bill is committed to ending the Washington culture of corruption and cronyism. From Baghdad to Bourbon Street the culture of corruption threatens America. Bill is devoted to seeing that working families have affordable healthcare, seniors have a Medicaid drug program that works and we have an exit strategy in Iraq. Inspired by his family and fellow veterans, Bill carries the dog tags of an Iraq War casualty as a constant reminder of the sacrifices made. He is committed to leading the charge for change, and defending the values of Colorado and America. To visit Bill’s website, please go to www.winterforcongress.org.