Received this e-mail today from U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D. IL):
While I’m not up for re-election this year, I’m focused on helping Democrats take back the U.S. Senate in November. We have a number of incredible, progressive champions running in competitive Senate races throughout the country, and I want you to help decide which of these incredible candidates we should help next.
In alphabetical order, here is more information about the candidates we are considering helping next:
Catherine Cortez-Masto (Nevada) has spent her career fighting to protect Nevada families. She served two terms as Nevada’s Attorney General and became well known for her integrity and leadership on behalf of Nevada families, women, and seniors. As the chief law enforcement officer of Nevada, Cortez Masto worked closely with law enforcement, treatment providers, and community advocates to combat the use and distribution of methamphetamines. She helped pass new laws to crack down on meth manufacturers and restrict the sale of materials used to make the drug.
Tammy Duckworth (Illiniois) is running to represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate. Following her career as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army, Tammy worked as an advocate for Veterans at both the state and federal level. Tammy was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, where she has been an active voice for Illinois families. In Congress, Tammy is focused on growing our economy by advocating for small businesses, investing in infrastructure, improving the lives of our Veterans and cutting government waste and fraud. Tammy serves on the House Armed Services and House Oversight and Government Reform Committees.
Russ Feingold (Wisconsin) is known for his independence, his honesty and his work ethic on behalf of Wisconsin families. He has always stood up for the middle class families, students and workers who need economic opportunity, often drawing the ire of wealthy special interests and lobbyists. A lifetime Wisconsin resident, Feingold represented Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate from 1993 to 2011, earning a reputation for doing what’s right, not what’s politically convenient.
Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire) is working to solve problems the New Hampshire way – reaching across party lines to help hard-working Granite Staters succeed in our changing economy so that everyone has the opportunity to get ahead and stay ahead. Washington has given in to corporate special interests that rig the system for themselves and against the middle class, and Maggie is running for United States Senate to fight to ensure that Washington does better for all of New Hampshire’s families and small businesses.
Patrick Murphy (Florida) is making Washington work again for Floridians — by growing the middle class, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, and meeting America’s challenges overseas. He’s proven time and again that he is a problem solver who brings both parties together to find commonsense solutions and get things done for Florida. A native of the Florida Keys, Patrick grew up along the South Florida coast. Patrick learned the value of hard work from his father, who put him to work on construction sites, digging holes and pouring concrete.
Ted Strickland (Ohio)is running for the U.S. Senate to fight for Ohio’s working people because that’s where he comes from and that’s who he cares about. He is a former minister, prison psychologist, congressman and governor. But the most important thing to know about Ted is that he has lived the American Dream – struggles faced and overcome, perseverance in the face of adversity, and a deep commitment to helping people achieve their full potential.
2016 has already been an eventful and historic election year — but it will be for naught if we don’t elect a Democratic president and take back the United States Senate. In the next few months, we will be working together to help these candidates and more, and we need your input to help guide which of these progressive champions will receive your support next.
Best wishes,
Dick Durbin