Pick A Progressive Patriot: House IV These are the candidates featured in Senator Feingold's second "Pick a Progressive Patriot" event of 2008.  After reading their bios, be sure to go vote for your favorite candidate. John Boccieri (OH-16) First elected to public office in 2000, John served three terms as a State Representative where his peers elected him assistant minority whip and one term as a State Senator.  In the legislature, John has been a strong advocate for Ohio's veterans, working families and the jobs and industries that have built the state.  John worked to lower property taxes for working families and sponsored a bill to help grandparents raising their grandchildren with housing grants.  John has fought for Ohio’s steel industry jobs, helped give seniors access to donated prescription drugs, co-sponsored legislation to safeguard pension funds from corporate greed, and has been an avid supporter of conservation efforts in Ohio. John has also championed and passed numerous bills to support Ohio’s veterans and military families.  Most recently, John sponsored the "Military Injury Relief Fund" bill, a tax check-off program that gives Ohioans an opportunity to help our injured soldier's transition back into civilian life and assist with their medical expenses. When John launched his campaign for Congress in June 2007, he made a vow to Ohioans.  He promised to be a voice for change in Washington – a fighting force for working families, veterans, living wage jobs, and free and fair trade.  And John vowed to always bring honesty and integrity to his work. It's time, John said, to renew the American spirit.  It's time to bring back hope in the promise of America, and reverse the poor decisions in Washington which are jeopardizing this promise for Ohioans today. You can visit John online at http://www.johnforcongress.com/   Charlie Brown (CA-4) Service to our country and leading by example has been the life’s work of Retired USAF Lt. Col. Charlie Brown.  In fact, as the son of a WW II veteran, husband of a former Air Force Nurse, and parent to a son who has served four rotations in Iraq---it’s the Brown family business. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Charlie was involved in every U.S. military conflict from Vietnam to Desert Storm during his distinguished 26 year military career----flying rescue helicopters in Vietnam, piloting reconnaissance missions around the world, and coordinating intelligence collection assets in some of the world’s most volatile hot spots, including Iraq.     Since retiring from the Air Force, Charlie has never stopped serving—earning his California teaching credential, and working for his local police department. As a first time candidate in 2006 and bona fide grassroots all-star, Charlie transformed one of California’s most conservative districts in one election cycle--coming within just 3% of upsetting a 9 term, right wing incumbent who has since announced his retirement.  Charlie brings first hand national security experience and a results oriented standard of leadership that is sorely needed in Washington.  He will lead the fight to end the war in Iraq responsibly, keep faith with our veterans, strengthen our middle class, and move our country towards a clean energy future.  And Charlie’s not waiting to make a difference---he’s taken the unprecedented step of donating 5% of his campaign contributions to organizations that help veterans and families in need. You can visit Charlie online at http://www.charliebrownforcongress.org/   Darcy Burner (WA-8) As a self-made woman, community leader and mother, Darcy has the kind of authentic, real world experience that voters identify with. She's not a career politician, but she knows where she stands. In Congress, she will be a principled leader. She will work to put the country back on the right track by fighting to end the misguided war in Iraq; by fighting to restore responsibility and accountability to government; and by fighting to improve the lives of middle class families squeezed by the unfair policies of the Bush administration. And in one of the most technology-dependent districts in the country, Darcy brings a level of high tech expertise and an ability to understand and articulate complex issues that will make her an instant leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. Visit Darcy on the web at http://www.darcyburner.com/   Bill Durston (CA-3) Bill Durston grew up in the Santa Clara Valley, enlisting in the U.S. Marines right out of High School at the height of the Vietnam War.  Serving with the Marines 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, Bill received the Navy Commendation medal for bravery under combat.  Upon returning from Vietnam, Bill entered UC Berkeley in 1969 and graduated first in his class in Biochemistry in 1973 before attending Medical School at the University of California, San Francisco, where he was a Regent's Scholar.  Bill is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine and has practiced in Sacramento for over 25 years. As the Representative of California's 3rd Congressional District, Bill will work to bring our troops home promptly, safely, and honorably from Iraq.  Bill will work to provide affordable health care for all Americans, work to protect and preserve our precious natural resources and will do everything within his power to uphold the principles upon which our country was founded and to restore government of the people, by the people, and for the people in the United States of America. Visit Bill online at http://www.durstonforcongress.org/   Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15) The daughter of a pipe-fitter, Mary Jo paid her own way through college working as a waitress, a blood technician at a hospital and doing clerical work. She scraped and saved and did without to make ends meet. Mary Jo knows what it's like to be short at the end of the month and do without health insurance. As a Franklin County Commissioner and community advocate on health care, Mary Jo worked to provide the initial grant and continued funding for Access Health Columbus, a medical assistance organization that provides medical care and prescription medicine for low-income and uninsured residents of Franklin County. Mary Jo fought for and succeeded to fund the Columbus Neighborhood Health Centers, The Breathing Association's free clinic, the AIDS Task Force and the Diabetes Association. Her dedication to Central Ohio earned her the Public Official of the Year award from the Central Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Those real life experiences shaped who she is and why she cares so passionately about the need to break down barriers and see that working people get a fair shake. She knows families are being squeezed by soaring gas prices and falling property values.  Health care costs are out of control.  Bad trade deals have sent jobs overseas and cut the muscle out of our manufacturing sector.  Meanwhile, we are bogged down in the longest war in American history and our veterans are not honored or taken care of when they come home. With your help, Mary Jo will fight to change the priorities in Washington and get America back on track. Visit Mary Jo online at http://www.kilroyforcongress.com/   Larry Kissell (NC-8) Progressive challenger Larry Kissell is running for Congress in North Carolina's 8th District, a Democratic majority district which has the highest Democratic Performance of any district in the South currently held by a Republican. Larry became a school teacher five years ago after a 27-year career in the local textile industry. Larry's calling to help people and populist message ring true with the hard working families he seeks to represent. The economy, education and environment are hallmark concerns of this predominantly Democratic district and cornerstones of Larry's positive vision for the future of America. Larry has his multi-millionaire opponent on the run with newly energized voters connecting to his innovative campaign through non-traditional outreach and events, like selling gas for $1.22 per gallon, the price when his opponent took office. Kissell, a Wake Forest economics graduate, is the immediate past Chair of the Montgomery Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, two-time past President of the Biscoe Lions Club and a life member and Deacon of the First Baptist Church. An avid cyclist, Kissell has logged over 33,500 miles since 1997. He and his wife Tina have two teenage daughters. Visit Larry online at http://www.larrykissell.com/   Ashwin Madia (MN-3) Ashwin's parents came to America from India with $19 in cash and a dream that America would provide great opportunities for their children.  Ashwin has taken his parent's idealism and never taken anything for granted.  A graduate of the University of Minnesota and NYU's Law School, Ashwin joined the U.S. Marine Corps serving as a prosecutor, defense counsel and legal advisor.  Serving as the lead counsel in over one hundred trials, Ashwin is most proud of his work defending a gay Marine from administrative discharge in 2005 when is was clear that commanders were using disparate standards in their treatment of this Marine compared to other Marines. While stationed in Baghdad from September 2005 to March 2006, Ashwin worked with U.S. military and civilian officials, European Union and United Nations representatives, and Iraqi judicial officers to strengthen the Iraqi criminal justice system. He also briefed top U.S. generals on the status of the rule of law in the country. Just as his parents dreamed that it would, America has provided Ashwin with many opportunities.  Ashwin now hopes to draw on his record of leadership, service, and advocacy to represent Minnesota's 3rd District in the U.S. Congress. Visit Ashwin online at http://www.madiaforcongress.com/   Betsy Markey (CO-4) Upon graduation from college, Betsy Markey moved to Washington, D.C. to work as a legislative aide on the House Subcommittee on Post Office and Civil Service.  After working her way through a Masters of Public Administration, Betsy was appointed a Presidential Management Fellow and earned coveted assignments in the Treasury Department and State Department.  At the end of the fellowship, the State Department recruited her for permanent employment as the new Director of Computer Security Policy and Training in the newly-formed Office of Information Systems Security. Betsy's experience in Washington led her and her husband to start a successful internet business, Syscom Services, which would be listed on Inc's list of the 500 fastest growing private companies in the nation.  Moving to Colorado in the '90s, Betsy focused her time on her community, serving as President of the Board of Directors of the Food Bank for Larimer County, raising nearly a million dollars to expand the Food Bank facility and the services they provide. Betsy founded the Northern Colorado Democratic Business Coalition to encourage small business owners to voice their opinions and get involved with Democratic politics.  After two years as the Larimer County Democratic Party chair, Betsy worked as the 4th Congressional District Regional Director for U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, overseeing all activities and issues in the region and working closely with businesses, agricultural groups, elected leaders, non-profits and individual constituents to represent their interests. Visit Betsy online at http://betsymarkey.com/   Eric Massa (NY-29) 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. Visit Eric online at http://www.massaforcongress.com/index.asp   Tom Perriello (VA-5) Born and raised in the 5th district, Tom was raised to believe that to whom much is given, much is expected, and those lessons have shaped his lifelong commitment to service.  After receiving his law degree from Yale University, Tom accepted an assignment working to end atrocities in the West African countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone, which had suffered long civil wars fueled by blood diamonds.  Tom’s work with child soldiers, amputees, and local pro-democracy groups in Sierra Leone played a significant role in the peace and reconciliation process that ended twelve years of violence in that country. Tom then became Special Advisor and spokesperson for the International Prosecutor during the showdown that forced Liberian dictator Charles Taylor from power without firing a shot.  After this success, Tom served as a national security analyst for the Century Foundation.  He has worked inside Darfur and twice in Afghanistan. Since 2004, Tom has helped to launch a political and social movement in this country that is credited with shifting the national debate about America’s moral priorities.  He helped found FaithfulAmerica.org and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, which bring together faith communities to fight for children’s health care, supporting a higher minimum wage, environmental stewardship, and responsible solutions in Iraq.  Inspired by the prophetic vision of Dr. King, Wilberforce, and Micah, Tom believes that America must reverse the erosion of our commitment to the common good and restore our understanding that our nation rises or falls together. Visit Tom online at http://www.perrielloforcongress.com/ Be sure you vote today for your favorite Progressive Patriot!