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Meet our advocates

By Hilary Nachem on 09/01/2010 @ 03:45 PM

Tags: 2010 Elections, Ann Kirkpatrick, Gabrielle Giffords, Alex Sink, Suzanne Kosmas

Last week, I wrote about some of the radical and far-right Republican candidates in Arizona and Florida who are already on the attack and taking special interest money. Now it's time to highlight the dedicated and accomplished women whom we are supporting in these races -- Ann Kirkpatrick, Gabby Giffords, Alex Sink and Suzanne Kosmas.

AZ-01

Name: Ann Kirkpatrick
Background: Ann built up impressive accomplishments even before her start in Congress. She was the first woman deputy county attorney in Coconino County. Ann led the charge in Arizona’s House to bring voluntary all-day kindergarten to Arizonans. And she won $46 million in state-funded raises for teachers.

What drives her?
"I want to make sure every Arizonian has access to a decent education, quality health care and the chance for a better life, because I am committed to serving Arizona and changing Washington."

Whose corner is she in?
Simply put: working families of Arizona. Ann is keenly focused on getting the economy back on track and creating jobs for her constituents. She’s working to make sure tax policies benefit those on Main Street, not Wall Street. And she secured passage of a bill to support economic development on Navajo and Hopi tribal land, which made her the first freshman of the 111th Congress whose legislation became law.

AZ-08

Name: Gabrielle Giffords
Background: Gabby had completed her Fulbright, earned a masters degree, and was serving as the youngest woman ever elected to the state Senate. In Congress, she's fought for entrepreneurs and America's small businesses. Having served as CEO of her family's tire and automotive business, El Campo Tire, Gabby understands the challenges faced by small business owners

What drives her?:
Dedicated to constituent care, Gabby is a serious public servant. She's worked hard to ease the burden of the recession and help struggling families, including investments in renewable energy, providing tax relief to combat troops, and expanding scholarships for math and science education. Gabby puts the needs of her district first.

Whose corner is she in?
As the only Member of Congress with an active military spouse, Gabby is constantly looking to better the lives of our troops. Representing two military bases, she fights to ensure that our troops are properly funded and that our nation is always protected against global security threats.

FL-Gov

Name: Alex Sink
Background: Following 26 years of success in the private sector, Alex turned to public service, winning her first-ever campaign to become the state’s chief financial officer. As CFO, Alex has worked to protect consumers, eliminate wasteful spending, crack down on fraud, and restore accountability to government.

What drives her?
Alex believes in protecting the middle class, strengthening the economy, and putting Florida back on track. She has a detailed reform plan to hold government more accountable, restore integrity, and save $700 million by cutting wasteful spending. And she has a business plan to create jobs based on her decades of experience in the business world.

Who's in her corner?
Alex has pulled together a strong Democratic coalition in Florida, including every Democrat in the state's congressional delegation, the Florida AFL-CIO, and unions representing police officers, teachers, sheriffs, and firefighters.

FL-24

Name: Suzanne Kosmas
Background: With a strong record of public service, Suzanne has advocated for her community in the state House and since her election to Congress in 2008. In her first term, she has worked tirelessly to help families hurt by the recession -- fighting foreclosure and promoting job growth.

What drives her?:
"My interest has always been in serving my community," Kosmas says. "That's why I ran for Congress: to serve the people who live in this district responsibly and with integrity." How to accomplish this? "We must reduce the tax burden on families, eliminate fraud and waste, close corporate loopholes, and balance the federal budget."

Whose corner is she in?
Kosmas works directly with Floridians in her district to address their concerns. Kosmas's constituent service operation has helped seniors, veterans, and other citizens cut through red tape and navigate the federal bureaucracy, including temporary housing for Volusia County residents displaced by flooding.

Related Blog Posts:

The Real Radicals >>

The heat in Arizona >>