Samm Simpson has the david-vs-goliath task of taking on Bill Young in Florida's 10th congressional district.  With no significant funding, Samm has put out 3 would-be TV commercials on the Internet in hopes of spreading her message.

It's our job to help fund these things and get them on the air if she stands a chance in FL-10.  It could be deemed a lost cause effort, but it also is a chance for the Netroots once again to show their mettle in endorsing progressive candidates.

Contribute Now and help a true progressive out.

(x-posted from Kos)

I started posting diaries on Kos back in late March to help show support and draw attention to a local congressional candidate, Samm Simpson.  Phrases were thrown around by me and commentors like "purple district",  "18 term incumbent", "Grassroots support", I was overshadowed in my early diaries by stories of the day.  Be it Ned Lamont's campaign, be it one of the thousands of new outrages that the Current Occupier of the White House has bestowed upon us, etc...  Samm's campaign in Florida's 10th Congressional district has been overshadowed time and again when mentioned on Kos.

Florida and Congress, of course, are the hot button subject of the moment...  Unfortunately the focus is on FL-16 and not on other candidates that are in need of the netroots support.  I could make mention of Phyllis Busansky here but I believe she's good on her own because she's running against a Bush lapdog in FL-09.  More on the flipside

(x-posted on Daily Kos)

Some of you already know a bit about the saga of Samm Simpson in FL-10 -- the "purple" US House district in Pinellas County, Florida where Republican mainstay C.W. "Bill" Young reigns supreme.  Simpson entered the race early this year, and in the span of 2 months collected nearly 4500 petition signatures to make the ballot -- the first time that ever happened for a federal race in Pinellas County.

Andy Ostroy conducts a full interview with Simpson to highlight different items about her story, her stances on issues and her non-support from the Florida Democratic Party and the DCCC.  More below the fold.

Carl Zimmermann, who is running for Florida State house district 48 in Pinellas County sent out a newsletter earlier this week, looking for volunteers to help collect petition signatures and trying to remind local Democrats to make sure voters focus on the issues that matter.  More below the fold.

(x-posted at Daily Kos )

C.W. Bill Young, an engraved institution in congress since the 1970's - who represents Florida's 10th district, sits smugly above the fray of issues in Washington and the upcoming election in November.  With $400,000+ in his re-election coffers as of March 31st, he arrogantly dismisses both problems with the President as well as the low opinion of congress that the American people currently have:

Young, in a telephone interview from Washington, declined to discuss his opponent directly but said he's not especially worried about polls showing widespread public disenchantment with the president and Congress.

"Congress has always had a very low poll rating as long as I can remember, but most people really believe in their own representative," said Young, 75, who gently suggested the president should "demand more accountability" of agencies under his control.

 

I'm on the outside looking in on this story and do not know the truth to the statements or how much play they have gotten (or if this has been brought up on MyDD already)... But it would seem Merrill Kaiser, Democratic senate candidate from Ohio, doesn't have a very charming view of gays... he actually thinks they should be put to death.

Samm Simpson has the daunting task of running against GOP incumbent and military/industrial complex stalwart C. W. "Bill" Young for Florida's 10th Congressional District seat. But she needs help -- now -- from the 10th districts progressives and Democrats.

Samm needs to collect <u>4100</u> petition signatures by April 10th in order to appear on the ballot. If you live within the 10th congressional district, please download Samm's petition, fill it out and mail it in to her campaign at:

<center>Samm Simpson for Congress
P.O. Box 228 | Dunedin, Florida 34697 </center>