Press Release
Released: April 21, 2008BURLINGTON, VT
DemocracyForAmerica.com, our nation's largest progressive political action organization, announced Monday that it has endorsed Mark Leno's campaign for the California State Senate.
"Mark Leno is a phenomenal candidate and a true champion of the grassroots. Democracy for America is proud to endorse his campaign," said Jim Dean, Chair of DFA. "Mark Leno has a long record as an effective and dynamic progressive."
Elected to the Assembly in 2002, Mark Leno represents the 13th District, which encompasses the eastern portion of San Francisco. He is one of the first two openly gay men ever elected to the Assembly. He currently chairs the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which oversees all bills with a fiscal impact on the state. He also serves on the Election & Redistricting and Labor Committees. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Leno served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from April 1998 to November 2002.
While in the Assembly, Leno has fought for better schools and access to higher education, a cleaner and sustainable environment, universal affordable and quality health care, improved transportation, renewable energy, safer streets and equal rights for all Californians.
While on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Leno authored landmark legislation in the areas of affordable housing, universal health care for children, solar energy, late night entertainment, bond oversight, small business services, City CarShare, medical cannabis, equal access to services, and LGBT civil rights.
"This is going to be a tough race and I am incredibly proud to have the support of Democracy for America," said Mark Leno. My campaign is powered by the people of my District and DFA understands how important this is and that is why I know with their support we will be victorious."
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.
"Mark Leno will work for progressive solutions on renewable energy, universal health care, marriage equality, and Clean Money campaign finance reform," said Arshad Hasan, Executive Director of DFA. "Mark Lenos work as a community advocate, a county supervisor, and a state assemblymember shows that he has the experience and vision to deliver for his constituents and the state."
###