Press Release
Released: April 10, 2008BURLINGTON, VT
DemocracyForAmerica.com, our nation's largest progressive political action organization, announced Monday that it has endorsed Jack Markell's campaign for governor.
"Jack Markell has a proven record as Delawares State Treasurer, having worked on helping Delawareans of all income levels take control of their financial lives. Democracy for America is proud to endorse his campaign," said Jim Dean, Chair of DFA. "Jack Markells work as a public official and his experience in the private sector make him uniquely qualified to lead Delaware."
Jack Markell has been State Treasurer for nine years after having a very successful business career. He understands the diverse issues facing Delaware and has proposed bold solutions, such as guaranteeing every Delawarean will have affordable, quality health insurance and creating 25,000 jobs in his first term.
Jack Markell is ready to lead and bring the kind of change that is needed in Dover. Jack has spent time in communities around the state, listening to Delawareans talk about their financial problems and has fought to implement changes that have a real impact on their lives. Over the past few years, he has worked to bring banking into Delawares schools, help people claim the tax credits they deserve and start new programs to improve healthcare for state workers. Additionally, he developed the Delaware Money School, which offers hundreds of free classes each year to teach people basic financial literacy skills at no cost to taxpayers.
After earning degrees in economics and development studies from Brown University, Jack took a job with the First National Bank of Chicago and went to school at night, earning an MBA from the University of Chicago. As the thirteenth employee of Nextel, he served as Senior Vice President for Corporate Development and helped launched the company to global prominence.
"I am honored to be endorsed by Democracy for America; an organization committed to the kind of socially progressive and fiscally responsible ideology that drives my work," said Jack Markell. "With DFA's help, we will take our message of positive change to all Delawareans."
Democracy for America is the key endorsement in this race, bringing donations from progressives and providing volunteers to participate in door-to-door, grassroots outreach. DFA has helped elect over 550 progressives to office from Governor Deval Patrick in Massachusetts to Rep. Jerry McNerney in Californias 11th Congressional District.
"Jack Markell is a strong, progressive candidate with the skills and experience needed in the state house," said Arshad Hasan, Executive Director of DFA. "Jack Markell has a progressive vision for Delaware that will improve health care and education and the lives of its residents."
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