October 10, 2006

I love blogging, I only wish that I weren't so busy doing other things so that I would have more time to write. Sadly, when I do upload an update from the campaign trail... it is usually abbreviated and rushed. I thought that I would set aside a little bit of time to really post a campaign update for everyone. Also, I really am trying to keep the blog more up to date but as the election draws nearer... my time is becoming less and less available. It has been an intersting week on the trail. The amount of support that we are gaining is overwhelming. We have had such a huge demand for yard signs that we had to place an emergency order for more because we are nearly out of them. We attended the famous Cedar Springs - Red Flannel Fesitval and Parade on Saturday and were astounded by the level of support that Cedar Springs showed us. In fact, one resident and parade watcher pulled me aside and told me that, and I quote, "You OWN Cedar Springs... this town loves you and will get out to support you on election day"! Wow!

As I write this blog tonight, folks at MichiganLiberal.com are voting for their candidate for their Michigan First endorsement and the trend of support is continuing. If you like what you are seeing on my website, please go to MichiganLiberal.com, log-in or create an account, and give me your vote before 8pm Wednesday Oct. 11th. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Finally, I would just like to note that the election is now exactly four weeks away. Time is running short and we have a lot of work to do. If you want to get more involved in the process, I encourage you to contact my campaign, or any other Democratic campaign in your area to lend a hand to bring the big V to the D. (Victory to the Democrats). We are canvassing every day, for all candidates in my district. We talk to voters about Governor Granholm and Senator Stabenow, we talk about Brian McKay who is Kent County's excellent candidate for Drain Commissioner, and we talk about Steve Kauffman for the 74th House, Melissa Casalina for the 86th House, and Joe Marckini for the 73rd House. We talk to people about Amos Williams for AG and Jane Beckering for Supreme Court. We talk about voting NO on PROP 2. When we knock on a door, we are handing voters a handful of literature for their precinct, for all Democratic candidates. The results are working! We have hit over 60,000 homes since the Primary Election and the Democrats throughout Kent County are gaining exceptional momentum and support. I encourage you to join us and other candidates to win the cause for the greater good.

October 4, 2006

We have been so busy these past several weeks... it has been unbelievable. I can't even begin to express the amount of support we are receiving from the folks we are meeting on the campaign trail. I hope everyone out there had the opportunity to see the forum with my opponent Mark Jansen on West Michigan Week on WGVU. If you weren't able to see it, keep checking the media section of the website it will be posted very soon. We had a great meeting in Rockford with many of the community members at a candidate FRIEND-RAISING event and are looking forward to participating in the Concerned Citizens of Rockford's candidate debates next week. We continue to pound the streets, contacting 600 - 1000 homes per day, meeting voters and discussing their concerns with them. Look for Al in your neighborhood soon.

 

September 7, 2006

This week we teamed up with Brian McKay, Melissa Casalina, and 8 volunteers for one of our largest canvassing events since the Primary. I would like to thank each of the hard-working supporters for a hard day of walking. Preparations are still underway for our Evening for Women's Rights, more to come later this week.

September 5, 2006

Wow, I really must apologize that I have not updated the weekly message in over a month. The campaign trail has been keeping us all very busy. Between spending a week in Lansing to the Democratic Convention in Detroit we have been canvassing neighborhoods and talking to community members about the issues which they face.

Currently we are working on our upcoming fundraising event. An Evening for Women's Rights at the Kobe Japanese Steakhouse in Grandville.

Week ending July 22, 2006

Greetings from the campaign trail.  This past week was another incredible week for our campaign; our momentum has been building for the past few months and it now feels like a whirlwind.  Everywhere we go, we are running in to supporters, even when it’s just a stop for breakfast.  

Tuesday evening we met with the Michigan Democratic Party’s - Coordinated Campaign Precinct Captains to kick-off their agenda and discuss our campaign with other candidates.  He would like to congratulate Haley Stevens on her position as the West Michigan coordinator, she has hit the ground running and the coordinated campaign is very well organized. 

One our highlights this week was attending Ellen Malcolm’s speech at the Wealthy Street Theatre on Wednesday morning for the Progressive Women’s Alliance.  Ellen really energized the crowd and motivated them to get involved.  She is an inspiration to all politically minded people. 

Thursday morning we attended the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce meeting and met with many minority business owners and discussed issues and barriers facing their businesses and our plans to tear down those barriers.  We had a wonderful and educational meeting and look forward to next month’s meeting.

Saturday afternoon we joined other Democratic candidates and Governor Jennifer Granholm at the opening of the Coordinated Campaign offices at 909 Cherry St. in Grand Rapids.  Governor Granholm kicked off the Coordinated Campaign with a very inspirational speech to start the campaign with a resounding BANG!

Tomorrow, Sunday July 23rd we will be hosting our GIVE ME LIBERTY - Benefit Show at Billy's in Eastown, Grand Rapids. We are so excited have the opportunity to help raise funds for the UCOM food bank and to support PLAG and the great work that they do. Be sure to check-out next week's FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL to hear my update on the event.

 

Week ending July 15, 2006