Is Donna Edwards being cheap on party loyalty?

Rep. Donna Edwards, who serves as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Red to Blue Program, has been getting a lot of positive press lately. Most notably she received a wealth of press after her speech during the Democratic National Convention, one of the few members of the House of Representatives granted that opportunity. However an email sent to members today by Democracy for America, a progressive advocacy group founded by former presidential candidate and DNC chair Howard Dean has some questioning if she has been cheap.

The email starts off saying Edwards is a member of the team, a team player, but then goes on to ask supporters to email her thanking her for that spirit and asking her to give money to her fellow Democrats running to unseat republicans.

Full email below:

John Boehner has done absolutely nothing to create jobs or get the economy working for middle class families again. Instead, he’s used his right-wing majority to push an extreme ideological agenda — and voters are sick of it.

Democrats are set to make big gains in House races across the country this year. And with a real shot at taking back the House, some Democrats have stepped up to help out — including Donna Edwards, your congressperson.

Rep. Edwards has proven to be a team player doing what it takes to win.

Can you email Rep. Edwards right now to say thanks and ask her to contribute even more to progressive challengers?

Republicans aren’t holding anything back. Incumbent Republicans have contributed nearly $5 million more to Republican challengers than incumbent Democrats have to Democratic challengers — all while some Democrats in safe districts are sitting on a campaign cash stockpile estimated at $60 million.

But not all Democrats. Rep. Edwards stepped up and deserves our thanks and encouragement to keep working hard. Please send Rep. Edwards an email right now.

Thank you for all that you do.

-ML

Michael Langenmayr, Political Director
Democracy for America

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Rep. Edwards to take stage at Democratic Convention

Prince George’s County Congresswoman Donna Edwards will take the national stage tonight in North Carolina touting President Obama’s reelection:

Dear Friends,   I wanted to share some great news with you. The Obama for America campaign has chosen me to be a speaker at the Democratic National Convention. I am scheduled to speak on Thursday, September 6, at approximately 7:00pm, just a short time before President Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination to be re-elected President of the United States.   The speech will be televised nationally and hopefully you can tune in to watch what will be a very exciting night.   Thank you.   Donna               _________________________________________________________________

Donna Edwards for Congress Dan Weber Communications Director

Donna Edwards breaks with labor, endorses Delaney and labor responds

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Earlier today Maryland Juice reported that Rep. Donna Edwards and Montgomery County Councilwoman Valerie Ervin had endorsed businessman John Delaney over State Senator Rob Garagiola in the Democratic Primary for the 6th Congressional District. Problem is the AFL-CIO, huge supporters of Donna Edwards, aren’t too happy about it.

Here is an emailed statement from State President Fred G. Mason.

 

MEMO

TO:                  ALL AFFILIATES

FROM:            Fred D. Mason, Jr.

SUBJECT:      CONGRESSWOMAN DONNA EDWARDS

 

LEADERS:

We are greatly disappointed to learn that Congresswoman Donna Edwards came out this morning and endorsed a candidate in Maryland’s 6^th Congressional District Democratic Primary.

She was well aware of who the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO’s endorsed candidate is, Rob Garagiola.  She had been asked to endorse Rob Garagiola, and barring that to endorse no one. 

Yet, she chose to endorse someone other than our candidate.  What makes her endorsement so perplexing is that she knows the importance of labors endorsement.  She certainly ‘appeared’ to understand the importance in November of 2011 when we endorsed her re-election at our Convention.  It is widely believed that that endorsement helped stave off a contested primary for her.

By endorsing John Delaney, Congresswoman Donna Edwards has chosen to oppose the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO in its efforts to elect Rob Garagiola to the United States Congress representing Maryland’s 6^th Congressional District.  This action on her part will certainly be considered in our future relationships.

While we are disappointed in Congresswoman Edwards’ actions, we will not be dismayed.  We will use her actions as fuel to fire up even greater action and enthusiasm, and increase our efforts to insure victory for Rob Garagiola on April 3, 2012.

For Progress

Fred D. Mason, Jr.
President, MD/DC AFL-CIO
Office
Mobile

Rep. Edwards puts herself also at odds, again, with Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-5) who has endorsed Garagiola and been rumored to be pressing representatives Van Hollen and Sarbanes to do the same. Edwards and Hoyer have bunted heads with each other a few other times over the last two years on strategy dealing with the debt negotiations, redistricting, and almost came to a head when after the party lost the majority, Edwards refused to endorse Hoyer’s bid to keep his leadership post against fellow Congressional Black Caucus member Jim Clyburn.

It should come as no surprise that Edwards is not supporting Senator Garagiola since as majority leader in the State Senate he supported a redistricting map she fought hard to oppose.

This is getting interesting…

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Our Endorsements

For the Prince George’s County Board of Education

District 1

David Murray is clearly the most experienced and connected candidate for the vacant seat being left by Rosalind Johnson. Two years ago Murray came close to defeating Johnson in her reelection bid and since that time has remained connected and in touch with the community he wants to represent. His drive and vision for a system that aggressively pursues innovation as a way to improve student achievement is what the Board of Education needs. Additionally he will join a board that has failed to hold senior administrators accountable and deliver on a real reform package everyone says they want. Prince George’s needs new energy as well as new ideas and David Murray is the best chance we have to do that in the 1^st District.

District 4

None of the candidates in the race for this seat currently held by Patricia Eubanks brings the experience or vision we believe is necessary to improve Prince George’s County Public Schools. However, one of them is at least more prepared than the others, Micah Watson. As the former Vice Mayor of Cheverly and member of the Democratic Central Committee, Watson does come with a wealth of budget experience unmatched by the other contenders. While Dennis Smith also served as a member of the Glenarden City Council in the past, during his time as a leader in the city he never distinguished himself in fiscal or program matters. Watson played instrumental roles in developing and passing the Cheverly budget as Vice Mayor and a councilman. What concerns us is a disturbingly detached community outreach strategy and real educational experience.

District 5

For the last five years Verjeana Jacobs has been the chair of the Board of Education and should be reelected. None of the candidates running against her have been able to layout a clear vision of why she should be replaced or what they would do better. Jacobs has made a lot of mistakes in her two terms on the school board, but as chair she has been able to bring a diverse group of people together that has done a lot of good. Jacobs has not been as tough on Dr. Hite as she could have been but she has been effective.

District 7

No Endorsement

District 8

Edward Burroughs has been the most outspoken and passionate member of the school board on issues of community involvement, transparency, and most importantly accountability. He has been criticized for not voting the party line and often being the lone voice of dissent but we recommend is reelection. The problem has not been that Burroughs votes no on things like changes to the popular Reading Recovery Program, a budget that grows class sizes, or retaining a lawyer making millions of dollars who donated to the reelection of another board member, the problem is that not enough of his colleagues are joining him. That will change when he is joined by people like his best friend David Murray.

United States House of Representatives

District 4

We support Rep. Donna Edwards for re-nomination to the United States Congress as a Democrat.

No Endorsement in the Republican nomination race.

District 5

We support Rep. Steny Hoyer for re-nomination to the United States Congress as a Democrat.

We believe Delegate Tony O’Donnell has the best chance to give Rep. Hoyer a run for his money. We therefore support his nomination in the Republican Primary.

United States Senate

State Senator C. Anthony Muse (Democrat)

Ben Cardin has been in Washington for over two decades. In that time the support this county has received from the federal government, including the six years he’s been in the Senate has been poor. His casework for the county has been almost as equal to his presence in the county, non-existent. About six years ago Cardin was handed his hat by fmr. Representative Kwesi Mfume by voters in Prince George’s County, but after beating Mfume statewide the best any county resident has seen of their junior senator was likely in their church this year now that he is up for reelection. Senator Muse is not an excellent candidate but he is a better candidate more in touch with the needs of county residents. A strong vote for Muse, even if he does lose to Cardin, will send the message that we as a county are dissatisfied with our representation and we demand more.

Republican Primary (No Endorsement)

For President of the United States of America

Democratic Primary

We support the re-nomination of President Barack Obama

Republican Primary

We support fmr. Governor Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination

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Edwards announces Mikulski endorsement

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Rep. Donna Edwards announced today an endorsement from Maryland’s first female member of the House of Representatives and the longest serving woman in the United States Senate, Barbara Mikulski. Edwards is facing a competitive primary against former Prince George’s State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey in the April primary.

Email announcing the endorsement

Donna Edwards officially announces reelection campaign

Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD)

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Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD) officially kicked off her campaign for reelection last night at her annual Christmas Party in Oxon Hill. Edwards will face off against former Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey of Cheverly and possibly a member of the county council of Anne Arundel County.

In the lead up to announcing her run for reelection, Edwards has been circling the wagons for what could be her toughest campaign since unseating Al Wynn in 2008 during the Democratic primary. During the last two weeks Edwards has been endorsed by party leaders such as Sen. Ben Cardin and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer. National progressive groups such as Bold Progressive PAC and the Sierra Club also have announced early endorsements for Edwards.

Is the House Democratic Caucus throwing their support behind Donna Edwards?

Screenshot of the House Democratic website http://www.democrats.house.gov

Describing her as having ” strong energy and enthusiasm for her work on behalf of people in her community,” the Democratic Caucus of the House of Representatives is running a feature of Rep. Donna Edwards.

Edwards has never been the insider type of candidate. It is what made her challenge her former boss Al Wynn in 2006 and 2008 eventually leading to unseating him and becoming the first African-American woman to represent Maryland in the national legislature. This year as a result of the redistricting maps recently approved, Edwards will face her toughest challenge of her short career against former Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey and despite early concerns appears to be locking up the establishment support quickly.

Many political observers suggested that because Edwards had been so vocal in her criticism of Governor O’Malley’s legislative redistricting maps she would have a hard time keeping political heavy weights from backing Ivey. This was on the heels of criticism she levied at Minority Whip Steny Hoyer who also represents Maryland for suggesting their party cave in on cuts to the size of the federal government, however since Glenn Ivey has announced his challenge Senator Ben Cardin and Steny Hoyer both have backed her reelection. Today it appears so has the Democratic Caucus.

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New Ivey website published, but is it ready for primetime?

Former Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey revealed his campaign website for his bid to unseat Rep. Donna Edwards in Congress. The site leaves a lot to be desired.

The Glenn Ivey for Congress website http://www.iveyforcongress.com

• The framework of the site is smooth and appealing, but lacks the natural congressional campaign theme of images of the candidate around the district. Ivey is a former State’s Attorney so he has to have those images.
• The banner Glenn Ivey for Congress looks cheap, unimpressive, and not very inspiring.
• The type print is very small and the pages seem very wordy.
• It is always a bad idea to have a latest news section on your website if you have no new news.
• None of the buttons and we do mean none of them work on the campaign website. Including the donation button.
• The Contact Page doesn’t include any information to contact the campaign with questions or reach out to get involved.
• None of the social media pages are online but the site makes aware that Ivey plans to use iveyforcongress as his twitter and facebook handle. If I’m Donna Edwards I’d scope them up now before he does.
• The major thing the site is missing is the why. Ivey has failed to explain why he is challenging the state’s only female member of the house delegation.

Now we’ve told you our point of view, you tell us what you think about the site iveyforcongress.com in the comment box below or on twitter or facebook.

Glenn Ivey announced earlier this month that he would in fact challenge the two-term Democrat from Prince George’s County in the April Democratic primary after she was unable to prevent a shift in her district during the redistricting process.

Edwards won her seat in 2008 after knocking out her former boss Al Wynn in the Democratic Primary. She was reelected in 2010 defeating former Delegate Herman Taylor of Montgomery County. Glenn Ivey is the former Prince George’s County State’s Attorney. He left office in 2010 after flirting with running for County Executive and then the House of Representatives.

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Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards Presents 3rd Annual College and Career Fair

Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD)

Rep. Donna Edwards is at it again with her popular College and Career Fair in Silver Spring. The theme of the event is Planning for Future Success:  “Helping High School and Middle School Students Plan for Future Educational and Career Opportunities”. If interested, please RSVP to 4mddistrict@mail.house.gov with COLLEGE FAIR in the subject line.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Selena Mendy Singleton at 301-562-7960 or by e-mail at selena.singleton@mail.house.gov.

The event will take place on November 5th from 8:30AM until 1:00PM at the Silver Spring Civic Center in Silver Spring, MD.

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Community groups plan major town hall on budget and priorites

Prince George's Executive Rushern Baker

A group of Prince George’s and Maryland organizations plans to host a town hall at the Prince George’s Community College on November 7th with a political who’s who in the county.

Shift the Budget Debate

Fund Our Communities, Put Wall Street to Work for Main Street , Bring the War Dollars Home

 

A Prince George ’s County Town Hall

Prince George’s Community College, Largo MD

Marlboro Hall lecture room 1097, 301 Largo Road  

 

Monday, November 7^th – 7:00 to 9:30 pm

    

Help find PROGRESSIVE SOLUTIONS to the fiscal crisis in Washington and Annapolis .

JOIN US to organize for A  PEOPLE’S BUDGET – We must:

 

Ø     Put America back to work                                 

Ø     Save our environment

Ø     Protect America ’s health

Ø     Preserve Social Security

Ø     Bring all the troops and military contractors home

Ø     Raise taxes from the rich

PARTICIPANTS:       

                                                US Congresswoman Donna Edwards

                                                County Executive Rushern Baker

                                                MD State Senator Paul Pinsky

                                                MD Delegate Aisha Braveboy (invited)

                                                Institute for Policy Studies Fellow Karen Dolan

                                                Fund Our Communities Coalition coordinator Jean Athey

                                                Community activist, Human Services Coalition David Harrington 

                                                IPS Fellow and Occupy Together participant Matias Ramos

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