Ed Fallon Set to Announce Gubernatorial Run This Saturday

I will announce my candidacy for the
Democratic nomination for governor at a rally on Saturday, April 9th,
from noon – 2:00 p.m. at the Iowa State Capitol building, first floor
rotunda. Because the 9th is a Saturday, only the east entrance
will be open, and it is handicapped accessible. Please park in the
Lucas Building parking lot just east of the Capitol.



The
response I have received from friends, allies and others has been
consistently positive and encouraging. All across this state I am
encountering a growing understanding that conventional politics –
dominated and funded by corporate interests – cannot be trusted to
address the issues important to the vast majority of Iowans. Iowans are
frustrated with “politics as usual” and are genuinely searching for a
progressive and winning alternative.



Campaign
finance reform is critical to creating a political environment where
real issues are addressed. Because of this, I am relying only on
donations from individuals – no money from PACs, paid lobbyists or
corporate interests. This means I will most certainly be outspent,
although the response from individuals has been excellent (to date over
$100,000 raised and over $250,000 pledged!).



The
great resource of this campaign is people power. Our effort is based on
the small, monthly pledges of support from individuals and the
significant time invested by hundreds – eventually thousands – of
volunteers. In order to defeat big-money politics, I have had to start
early, work hard and gradually build support neighborhood by
neighborhood, county by county and region by region. With the help of a
great staff – part paid, part volunteer – we've been doing that, and
it's beginning to show.



In order
to demonstrate the true grassroots power of this campaign, we are
setting a goal of 500 people for the April 9th announcement rally. With
a turnout of this size I hope to establish increased credibility with
the media and, most importantly, to send a powerful message to the
people of Iowa that a campaign based on principle, determination and
people-power can win.



Our
success at turning out 500 people for the announcement event rests with
you. We ask you to commit to getting five to ten of your friends,
neighbors and co-workers to join us on April 9th. If you can help in
this way, please call our headquarters at (515) 244-3113 and let us
know how many people you can bring to the rally. This information is
important so we can have a baseline estimate of numbers for logistics
and with our communications with media.



Entertainment
at the event will be provided by The Good Time Band from Davenport, a
union band belonging to Local 67 of the American Federation of
Musicians, and Joe Hynek from Rinngold County.



Confirmed
speakers are Mark Johns (Republican perspective for endorsing Fallon),
Dave O'Connor (education), Lynn Heuss (issues of poverty & social
justice) and Carter Woodruff (personal endorsement). My speech will
follow these speakers, probably around 1:15 p.m.



Following the announcement event, there will be a reception at campaign headquarters, 1135 10th St. from 2:00 – 4:00.



Thanks so much for all of your support and I'll see you on April 9th!!



Rep. Ed Fallon
http://www.fallonforgovernor.org/