All we can say is WOW!
You've doubled our initial goal and raised $2004.40 for the Change for Kentucky Legal Defense Fund for Virginia Woodward.
At first, our call for Virginia went out to our dedicated Change for Kentucky list, who pledged $1000 in the first nine days. Virginia's story was then picked up by the Democracy for America blog, and DFA supporters from around the country came to the Change for Kentucky website and started the "low dollar" contributions flowing. With their help, we raised an additional $1000 in just over 72 hours!
On Monday, Dec. 13, Secretary of State Trey Grayson's office defied the law and REFUSED to certify Virginia as the winner of the Nov. 2 election, saying it didn't want to put itself in the middle of a case that probably would end up in the state Supreme Court. The Republicans in the Senate have vowed to do everything in their power to keep Virginia from being seated.
As you can see, Virginia has a tough road ahead; but our pledges to Virginia's Legal Fund will help our Dean Dozen candidate fight this right-wing machine. She WILL emerge the winner, and Change for Kentucky will have done our part to help!
Thank you for making this our most successful fundraising effort yet!
Right-wing Republicans in the KY Senate are trying to steal another election--this time using the courts. Virginia Woodward, our Dean Dozen and Change for Kentucky 12 candidate, is fighting in court to honestly represent the 37th District, and WE MUST HELP HER!!
Some background: to be a qualified Kentucky Senator, a candidate must have resided in the state for six years. It seems that Virginia's opponent in the General Election, Dana Seum Stephenson, never bothered to tell anyone when SHE filed that she didn't live in Kentucky until 2001.
UPDATE: As you may have heard, Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Barry Willett ruled on 11/22 that Virginia's opponent, Dana Seum Stephenson, DID NOT meet the residency requirement to run for the KY State Senate, and ordered the Board of Elections to not count her votes. Long story short: VIRGINIA WINS!
UPDATE 2: On Dec. 8, Ms. Seum-Stephenson and the Republican Party defied the KY Constitution and formally asked the KY Senate to declare HER the winner of the election and seat her as the new Senator on Jan. 4. Senate Republican Leader David Williams, when asked about the Republican’s blatant disregard of the Kentucky Constitution , said: “If anyone objects to us being in the majority, they have the chance to change that every two years when half of the Senate seats are up for election”
If the Republicans get their way, Virginia will not be seated, and the case will go to the KY Supreme Court. This means more financial hardship for Virginia, and no representation for the 37th District. But Virginia is Dean Dozen candidate, and that means she is determined to fight. Change for Kentucky and Democracy for America are behind her all the way!
We're so close to our goal of $1000 for Virginia by Dec. 25. Our average contribution is just $35. Keep Going!!! Fill the Stocking!! Virginia needs our help! Please use this form to Make a Pledge, or to Match a Pledge. Let's Help Virginia Win!
The 2004 election is over and because of YOU, Change for Kentucky has become the largest and most active grassroots political organization in Kentucky.
For 18 months, we brought people into the political process for the first time, provided grassroots training for progressive organizations and supported good candidates in important races across Kentucky.
In July, we announced our Change for Kentucky 12 candidates. These candidates received support from Change for Kentucky and from our national grassroots partner, Democracy for America. Over the summer and fall, we raised money, we walked precincts, we wrote letters and then we walked precincts again. We worked hard and we made a difference.
On Nov. 2, FIVE of our Change for Kentucky 12 candidates won their races. In Jefferson County, Mary Lou Marzian (KY House), Jim Wayne (KY House) and Rick Blackwell (Metro Council) all won re-election. In Fayette County, Ruth Ann Palumbo (KY House) and Susan Westrom (KY House) were also re-elected. We are proud to have helped these good candidates and we congratulate them on their great campaign.
To those candidates Change for Kentucky supported who did not win, we say "THANK YOU". Thank you for running, for standing up for your principles, and for making a difference. We will always support candidates who stand up and fight. Thank you for standing up for Kentucky.
Elections are tough. Nov. 2 was tough for the country and tough for Kentucky. We all know the results.
As we recharge our batteries and reflect, here is the message from Change for Kentucky: Don't think that we're done. Don't think that we don't have an obligation to keep going. Don't think that our hard work has gone unnoticed. Don't think for a second that we can't make a difference, because we can and we have.
It was your commitment, your energy and your hard work that created Change for Kentucky. From today to November 7, 2006 it will be your hope, your values and your belief that we can make a real difference that will keep us going.
Please JOIN US in making real Change for Kentucky.