Free and Equal DC Fund Expands Radio Campaign to Mississippi and Montana
While the District of Columbia may have a locally elected mayor and council, our local laws and budgets need to approved – and are completely amendable – by Congress. The Constitution gives Congress authority in “all cases whatsoever” over local matters in the District. Nowhere else in the country do local laws needs Congressional approval.
One would think that with Democrats in charge of both houses of Congress, there would be less meddling in the local affairs of the District, but that’s not the case.
Recently Senator Tester of Montana and Congressman Travis Childers of Montana introduced legislation that would completely eliminate any locally-enacted regulation of firearms or ammunition in Washington. That’s right – anybody would be free to walk around with a semi-automatic rifle in DC. Talk about a threat to national security!
It’s a slap in the face to local governments everywhere, and was only done to gain cheap political points with the National Rifle Association. It’s clear Tester and Childers don’t give a rip about the people of DC, or the countless families who have lost loved ones to gun violence.
We’ve had enough of Congressional meddling with DC, and now we’re fighting back. My PAC, the Free and Equal DC Fund, will be running radio ads in Montana and Mississippi starting this week. We’ll be letting Tester’s and Childers’ constituents know that they don’t have full-time representatives in DC…and that maybe their Senator or Representative should be a DC City Councilmember instead.
You can see a sample of the ad below:
Please make a donation to keep them on the air at:
http://www.actblue.com/page/montanaradio
Today’s My Birthday – Can You Help Me?
Today’s my birthday…I’m a Bastille Day baby, so that means I like to storm bastions of power and bring democracy to the masses. I guess that’s why I really enjoy being the “Shadow” U.S. Representative for the District of Columbia as it allows me to fight for statehood and full local autonomy for DC. It’s been a labor of love for me as well as a way to give back to the city that has given me so much.
As you may know, I’m up for re-election this year, and the primary is September 14th. I need to step up my outreach efforts over the next two months, and like any campaign I need to raise a little bit of money to do help do that.
Of course I’d like to have some cash from you (hint, hint) but it would really mean a lot to me if you would take a minute and forward a message to your friends via email, Facebook, or Twitter. I’ve taken the liberty of writing up who awesome I am, but of course feel free to edit.
I’m now able to raise money through the Democratic fundraising site, ActBlue.com, which makes it very easy for people to give a little something to my campaign. The link to my page is here: http://www.actblue.com/page/happybirthdaymike
Everything you need is below. I hope you can take a few minutes and help me out – it would be a super-special birthday present.
THANK YOU!!
- Mike Panetta
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Twitter:
Help me wish my friend “Shadow” U.S. Rep @MikePanetta a happy Bastille Day Birthday with a campaign donation today: http://bit.ly/aJcL2Q
Facebook:
Help me wish my friend, “Shadow” U.S. Mike Panetta a happy birthday today with a campaign donation. He’s been working hard for the people of DC, so please think about helping him out. Thanks! (Add this link:
http://www.actblue.com/page/happybirthdaymike/)
Email You Can Send:
Subject: Help my Friend Mike Panetta
Today is Bastille Day, but it’s also my friend Mike Panetta’s birthday.
If his name sounds familiar it’s because he’s the “Shadow” U.S. Representative for the District of Columbia and a leading voice in the drive for statehood and full local autonomy for DC.
He’s up for re-election this year and the primary is two months away. I hope you can join me consider giving him a campaign contribution today. He’s been working hard for everyone in DC and has a proven
track record in working to end taxation without representation, including:
- Generating over 20,000 constituent grassroots communications to congressional offices in support of the District of Columbia Voting Rights Act
- Starting the Free and Equal DC Fund, a PAC to elect congressional candidates who support statehood and expanded home rule for the District
- Deploying radio campaigns in Montana and Mississippi targeting the Congressmen and Senators attempting to revoke our locally enacted gun laws
- Launching the “Where’s My Star?” campaign to re-brand the DC Statehood movement
- Organizing a District of Columbia “Olympic” curling team to raise awareness
Please help Mike continue to do the good work he’s been doing for everyone in the District by making a contribution to his campaign here: http://www.actblue.com/page/happybirthdaymike
You can find out more about Mike Panetta here: http://www.mikepanetta.com
Thanks!!
Two DC Statehood Events This Week Sponsored by ACLU
The ACLU of the National Capital Area is hosting two statehood-related events this week.
Wednesday, July 14 at Onyx on First, 1100 1st Street SE, for the 2nd Annual “Warriors of Statehood” Celebration from 6:00-8:00 PM. The event honors DC’s military members and dedicated Statehood activists. Limited seating is available, and each attendee will receive a gift. Admission is $51. RSVP required to Beverly@aclu-nca.org. The closest Metro is Navy Yard Station (green line).
On Thursday, July 15 there is “An Evening of Education and Entertainment In Support of DC Statehood”. This event will take place on the West lawn of the US Capitol, East Capitol and 1st Streets NE, from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Featured speakers include: Johnny Barnes as Master of Ceremonies, Former Congressman Walter E. Fauntroy, DC Vote Executive Director Ilir Zherka, Shadow Senator Michael Brown, and DC Councilmembers, plus performances by Batala, Backyard Band, Phil Ade, Rasi Caprice and RaTheMc. This event is free to the public. The closest Metro is Union Station (Red Line).
Hope to see you at these events!
Panetta Takes DC for Democracy Endorsement
Last night I was happy to win the endorsement of DC for Democracy for re-election to the Shadow U.S. Representative position. I’ve been a member of this group since 2004 when it was “DC for Dean” and it was the first group ever to endorse me when I first ran for office in 2006. The organization has grown into an effective group and continues to be the voice of the progressive voters here in the District and their endorsement means a great deal to me.
The member of DC for Democracy have always been the most active organization in the city when it comes to lobbying and advocating for our full representation on Capitol Hill. I thank them both for their endorsement and for their leadership and commitment to the people of Washington.
Panetta Snags Ward 3 Democrats Endorsement
I was formally endorsed by the Ward 3 Democrats for re-election to “Shadow” U.S. Representative position on June 17th at the organization’s monthly meeting. The threshold for endorsement was 75% of the votes cast, which I was able to meet. This endorsement comes less than a week after I prevailed in the the city-wide Democratic Party straw poll.
I sent the following message to the Ward 3 Democratic leadership this morning:
Ward 3 Democrats,
Thank you!
I was honored to receive the endorsement of the Ward 3 Democrats last night, and I thank you all for your continued support. I enjoyed the comments and conversations I shared with many of you last night, and I’m always looking to hear from others about ways we can achieve full voting representation in Congress and statehood for the District.
Please take a look at my web site at http://www.mikepanetta.com or become my “friend” on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mikepanetta and share any thoughts or concerns with with me. Or just email me at mike@mikepanetta.com.
Thanks again for your endorsement, it really means a lot to me and the work I do in the “shadows”
I ask that you spread the word about my re-election efforts, and help me continue the work I’m doing. See you at the polls on September 14th.
Sincerely,
Mike Panetta
