Lesli Messinger for Congress

Resolutions, Revelations & Revolutions

Messinger For Congress — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:27:44 +0000

Resolutions. Hmmm…. Last New Year I didn’t consider making resolutions. Yet some time in early Spring I resolved to make a difference in the lives of those living in Southeastern Georgia. It is not that I wasn’t aware of the need for change before. Au contraire. I was waiting for someone else to do it. I already did what I thought was the acceptable methods to promote change. I wrote letters and emails and signed petitions and spoke out against racism and inequality. In return, I received form letters that did not address the issues, if I received anything at all and I was asked to leave certain establishments because of my views.

Year after year, I had helped feed hungry people of Savannah during the holidays. I have seen homeless people on the street and bought them food and had conversations with them. I have been told how unforeseen circumstances led up to living on the streets. House fires, lost jobs, bad health; these are things that could happen to anyone. Once a person falls to these circumstances, they become invisible. When is the last time you had a conversation with a person begging for money? I thought not. Well, I do. Many are articulate and most are humble and embarrassed. They are Veterans, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. Once you look at them in the eyes and speak to them with respect, they will be grateful to tell you their stories.

In early 2012, these issues and many more, were weighing heavily on my mind. What can I do? How can I make a difference in the lives of ordinary people? A few things I have done in the past have been an active part of different Task Forces for county school systems, a member of Executive Committees and founder of Safety in Schools for rural schools. I started an outreach program for new mothers in a rural area of Ohio and created significant change. As a Guardian Ad Litem I advocated for children going through the Juvenile Court system. When I lost my son to an accidental drug overdose, I channeled my grief to help other mothers that have gone through the loss of a child. I travelled across the U.S., and became involved in drug awareness programs. I have been politically involved all my life.

So, although I did not make a resolution January 1, 2012, the choice was made for me. I had a revelation. If not me, then who? “Who” didn’t show up. I stepped up to the podium and announced that I would run for Congress.

I am an ordinary citizen of 1^st District in Georgia. I have owned businesses for 30 years. I have held key management positions in large corporations. Most importantly, I am not a career politician. I am a person the founding fathers of our great country wanted in Congress.

Thus started the revolution. Once I stepped up to the podium in Macon, Georgia and announced my intention to run for Congress, there was no turning back. I was applauded, hugged, handed contributions, business cards and most importantly, given support. From then on, this revolution got bigger and bigger, snowballing into something no one had anticipated.

Back to the revolution… like a snowball, it started small, but with every turn, every Facebook “like”, every tweet, it got bigger and bigger. I traveled up and down the coast meeting people, listening to their stories, connecting with them, marching along them, going to church with them and the snowball got bigger. We all knew what we were up against, but for the first time, for many people, there was hope. Hope for ordinary people. Hope for equal rights. Hope for the future.

Five years ago, I moved to Georgia knowing only a handful of people. In the Fall of 2012, I had people shouting my name with a thumbs up, asking for a picture with me, telling me that they were voting for the first time since getting their citizenship and that they are so proud to vote for me. Everywhere I went, I was treated like an old friend, a member of the family, my signs were in lawns everywhere. The support was unbelievable. The snowball never faltered.

On November 6^th, history was made. A significant 93,000-vote piece of history. No, we didn’t win. We all knew the odds, considering Kingston’s name recognition and $1.8 million. We recognized the magnitude of the challenge, the lack of media coverage (and in most instances, the media’s bent towards Mr. Congressmen).

Nonetheless, I received more votes than anyone that ever ran against Jack Kingston in the 20 years that he has been in office. Not only that, but… I received more votes than any Congressional Candidate received that ran against any incumbent in the entire state of Georgia in 2012! Most amazing, we did this in a Congressional District that overwhelmingly voted for the GOP Presidential candidate.

We put on a full-blown, grassroots revolution that is the stuff of history. Your voice was heard loud and clear.

So, now it is January 1^st, 2013. My resolution is… to keep this revolution moving forward in a meaningful and significant way. I will always, in some capacity, be part of this revolution that we started in Macon, spring of 2012. Along the way, I’ve met several outstanding people, who are capable of surmounting the “myth” of Mr. Kingston; maybe one will step up. This is not the end.

Savannah’s Lesli Messinger Wins Democratic Primary

Messinger For Congress — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 19:51:14 +0000

Savannah’s Lesli Messinger Wins Democratic Primary
Mounts Bid to Restore Coastal Georgia to Democrats

SAVANNAH, AUGUST 1 –– As ballots were being certified by the Georgia Board of Elections, media outlets including Associated Press, Georgia Public Broadcasting, Fox News Network and WSAV-TV in Savannah called the Democratic Primary race for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District in favor of Savannah businesswoman Lesli Messinger.

The race was called at approximately 11:10 p.m., said Messinger’s Press Secretary, Deborah Dewberry.

With 91.9 percent of votes counted in 15 of the most populous 17 coastal 1st District counties, Messinger led by a margin of approximately nine percent, taking 54.3 percent of the vote; primary rival Nathan Russo garnered 45.6 percent, according to the office of Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp.

The candidate here celebrates her win in the 1st District Democratic primary with her son, Ryan, who drove 12 hours to be with her and assist with the campaign.

Some 28,315 votes were cast by Democrats, setting a record for the 1st District Democratic primary, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office. As of 2 a.m., 28,315 votes had been tallied in the race, representing a turnout of approximately 30.91 percent, the office reported. Some 28,315 votes were cast in the Democratic primary, setting a record for the 1st District Democratic primary.

Republican incumbent Rep. Jack Kingston, with no opposition within his party, was reported to have logged 61,234 votes, concurrently.

“For the first time in more than two decades, Democrats are within striking distance of regaining the 1st Congressional District in Georgia,” Messinger told supporters shortly after the race was called. “We have a great deal to celebrate, but there is a lot of work ahead of us.” Messinger was with her campaign party at the Odyssey, a restaurant-lounge near Savannah’s garden district.

“I am so very grateful to the Democratic leaders in state government, and the region, who endorsed me and also gave me their encouragement,” Messinger said. “The support of State Reps. Tyrone Brooks, Pedro Marin, and Mickey Stephens, as well as Democratic leaders in Savannah, Lt. Col. Bill Gillespie and Miguel Camacho, meant a great deal to this victory.”

Messinger also expressed special gratitude to key Democratic groups, including the Glynn and Ware County Democrats, and the Progressive Democrats of America, from whom she garnered critical support leading up to the primary.

Messinger recognized her campaign staff, and Democratic activist Charles Hill of St. Simons Island, who galvanized support in Glynn County, her Democratic primary rival’s home base.

“But I am especially grateful to all the 1st District voters who came out in force and helped me win the Democratic primary today,” Messinger said. “I could not have done this without your support. You have demonstrated that you care about progress in the 1st District, and our nation’s future.”

Messinger supporters from local colleges came out to celebrate on primary night.

Messinger called on Democrats throughout the 1st District to gear up and help her win the more pivotal battle she now will mount – to restore the district to Democratic control after 20 years of Republican rule – in the general election, November 6th.

“We still have the steepest climb of this journey before us, to defeat 10-term Republican Rep. Jack Kingston,” Messinger told her supporters. “But today I stand confident, and assure you that with your support we will persist in this fight, and we will succeed.”

Messinger added that in order to successfully win in the general election, her campaign will need more support from the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Party affiliates based in Atlanta, and in Washington D.C.

“Democrats from across the U.S. will be rallied to help win this historic campaign,” Messinger added. “I anticipate the opportunity to work cooperatively with President Obama’s team in Georgia.”

“Again, from the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone who supported me, and a Democratic future for the 1st Congressional District.”

Messinger, who was raised on an Ohio farm and is the only Democratic woman running for Congress in the state of Georgia, entered the race for the 1st District seat in Congress shortly after qualifying on May 24th. She quickly marshaled a campaign staff, and a strategy that inspired leadership among “ordinary Americans” faring poorly in an economy that she calls the “worst since the Great Depression.”

“I stand for Americans who want economic opportunity and jobs, veterans who need assistance they’re not getting, the unemployed, graduates facing a future without a career, seniors who fear losing their Social Security and Medicare, working families and all the underprivileged communities ignored by the current Republican-dominated representation in Congress,” Messinger claims.

“I intend to go to Washington and work for those who currently lack representation in our Republican-dominant Congress,” Messinger added. “It is time to end partisan standoffs, support President Obama and his initiatives, including affordable health care, and work on behalf of those who need help, in lieu of corporate and special interests.

“I am not the career politician. But I have been a working mother and a business owner, who cares about America’s future.

“I look forward to building a coalition of strong support throughout the 1st District, and restoring what has been lost to so many,” Messinger concluded.

Georgia’s Only Democratic Woman Candidate for Congress

Messinger For Congress — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:41:29 +0000

DEMOCRAT LESLI MESSINGER SEEKS TO END 20 YEARS OF REPUBLICAN DOMINATION IN GEORGIA’S COASTAL 1ST DISTRICT

SAVANNAH, July 18 — It’s a particularly difficult challenge to unseat an incumbent, and harder still for a Democrat in a Congressional District that’s been Republican-ruled for 20 years.

If the Democratic hopeful happens to be a woman, facing off against a very entrenched and powerful man, many a political strategist might counsel, ”be prepared to lose.”

But Georgia Democrat Lesli Messinger is determined to run for Congress, and win.

“There’s too much at stake for Democrats to let this election default to Rep. Kingston, who is seeking his 11th term in Congress, largely unopposed,” Messinger asserts “He does not represent those most vulnerable in the ongoing economic recession, his voting record obstructs President Obama’s efforts to assist those hurt most by the economy, and is, in fact, more extremist than the voting records of most of his Republican colleagues.”

The only Democratic woman candidate running for a national office this election season in Georgia, she’s a lone progressive Democrat amid the state’s Congressional candidates.

But that could mean higher visibility. With public disapproval of a Republican-dominant Congress now at an all-time high, this anomaly might make her more of a standout.

Traditionally Democratic, Georgia has “flipped” politically in the last decade. Republicans currently control both U.S. Senate seats and eight of the 13 U.S. House seats — plus all of the state’s 13 constitutional offices. Here, 82 percent of state legislators are male. The last Congresswoman from Georgia, 11th District Rep. Cynthia McKinney, lost her bid for re-election in 2006 to current U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson.

“Women here have progressed in state offices, but have not broken into national politics,” Messinger notes. “I’d like to be the candidate that changes that.”

Messinger is mounting a campaign against the Republican monopoly on coastal Georgia, to restore opportunity to ordinary Americans, equalize fair treatment to minority communities when it comes to federal resources, and restore economic opportunity a Republican-dominant Congress, and career politicians like Rep. Kingston, have robbed ordinary citizens from having.

A former guardian ad litem for children, Messinger has been a school safety activist and national advocate for stronger laws to protect youth from drug abuse. Her political activism includes involvement with the high-profile Democratic presidential campaigns of Al Gore and Hillary Rodham Clinton, and President Obama.

Messinger’s Democratic values took shape during her upbringing in Ohio farm country. Her father was a union member, and her grandfather, a World War II veteran who earned the Bronze Star. “We worked hard, and realized the benefits of that,” she says. “Today, lawmakers whose allegiance lies with corporate interests have robbed most Americans of the same basic opportunities.”

Observing the deepening chasm between the classes in the 1st District, and the continuing erosion of the middle class, prompted Messinger to run for Congress.

“I woke up to what is happening,” Messinger says. “I was sponsoring feed-the-hungry events and clothing drives in minority communities in Savannah, and saw the poverty concentrated in these communities here. I observed a 10-term Republican congressman working against the struggling constituents in this district. I knew I had to do something.”

Distressed by what she was observing, Messinger examined Rep. Kingston’s voting record.

“He has consistently voted against measures to assist those hardest hit by the worst economy since the Great Depression – the unemployed, working families, veterans, and individuals on fixed incomes.”

“He votes consistently against the disenfranchised. These are the constituents who need his support most.”

Gearing up for her campaign, Messinger created a powerful presentation that outlines Republicans’ “disconnect” from people most vulnerable in the ongoing recession, and Congressional allegiances to large corporate interests.

Messinger documented campaign funds to support this career politician from industrial lobbyists, big businesses and Political Action Committees (PACs), the financial backers of which remain anonymous.

While Kingston has been considered “untouchable” by any Democratic contender, Messinger thinks otherwise. “Redistricting that took place in 2011 in Georgia gives Democrats an electoral advantage in a portion of Savannah, and a better chance to win than in many years,” she says. “With redistricting, only 125,000 are required to win. With most of the City of Savannah’s Democratic voter base on board, the “electoral math” defines the 1^st Congressional District as an 18,000-vote race.”

Gathering support from within her own party, however, is critical, says Messinger. “It continues to be quite a challenge.”

“Democrats here agree they want to send an alternative to Washington,” she asserts. “But they lack a way to marshal the resources.”

The Democratic contender has an uphill battle, but the goal is attainable, according to campaign manager Farooq Mughal. ”In the 2008 general election, Democrat Bill Gillespie garnered over 83,000 in his bid to win the 1st District seat. He came close, and Lesli Messinger is expected to come much, much closer.”

Rep. Kingston understands his vulnerability, perhaps, as he is campaigning early this year, which is unprecedented, according to Georgia Democratic Party leaders.

Kingston recently made public appearances at Savannah’s Forsyth Park, and was also observed doing a “drive through” in Savannah’s largest African American community, in which Messinger has established a solid presence while campaigning.

“I sought out leaders in this community and searched out the real concerns. I will champion a redirection of federal resources to create fairness in the 1st District,” Messinger points out. She also has innovations in mind for the rural regions in the 1st District, hardest hit by economic stagnation.

Messinger’s hope is that with the support of the Georgia Democratic Party, the National Democratic Committee, and men and women from throughout the 1st District and the State, she can end 20 years of Republican domination in the coastal 1st District.

“Citizens of the 1st District who remain jobless, struggling families, veterans, retirees, poverty-plagued and anyone interested in restoring opportunity to this country, cannot afford more Republican domination in Congress,” she concludes.

“I plan to restore what has been lost, and work for those not now being represented.”

Messinger Gains Endorsement of Leading Latino State Representative Pedro Marin

Messinger For Congress — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:31:31 +0000

State Rep. Pedro Marin, the highest-ranking elected Latino official in Georgia, endorsed Lesli Messinger for Congress, in recognition of her commitment to diversity.

Savannah, July 7 — Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District Lesli Messinger has been endorsed by Rep. Pedro Marin (District 96). The Democratic leader is the highest ranking Latino Democrat in the state of Georgia.

“I am pleased to endorse Lesli Messinger for Georgia’s District 1 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Marin told a Democratic Party gathering. “I believe we need someone who offers District 1 a chance that more voices will be heard, and represented, to better reflect the District’s population demographics and its needs.”

Messinger adds Rep. Marin’s endorsement to others she has recently won, including those of Savannah Democrat Bill Gillespie, who ran against incumbent Jack Kingston in 2008 and garnered over 83,000 votes, before redistricting shifted a predominantly Democratic contingent of Savannah voters into traditionally Republican-dominant District 1.

Rep. Marin, a business consultant originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a Gwinnett County representative with key relationships in the Latino community, statewide and nationally.

A facilitator of intercultural relations programs, he is known for championing the causes of the Hispanic community, and boosting the efficiency and effectiveness, and intercultural relations, between local, state and federal offices and Latinos.

He was one of the first Latinos to be elected to the Georgia General Assembly and is a recognized leader in stopping gang violence, expanding translation services in the courts, and expanding economic development initiatives in the community and county he serves.

Rep. Marin is on the Georgia House’s Banks and Banking, Industrial Relations and Economic Development and Tourism committees. A founding member of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, he is also on the Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs, the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, the Northeast Georgia Council of Boy Scouts of America, is an Advisory Board member of the United Way, and serves on the State Committee of the Democratic Party of Georgia.

Democratic Candidate for Georgia’s 1st District Lesli Messinger Attends Bring Jobs Home Action

Messinger For Congress — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:36:13 +0000

Savannah, July 6th 2012 – Democratic candidate for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District Lesli Messinger attended the Bring Jobs Home Action today, sponsored by the Savannah Regional Central Labor Council and Jobs For Georgians.

Messinger stood with labor supporters at the Bring Jobs Home Action Friday morning, July 6th, sponsored by the Savannah Regional Central Labor Council and Jobs For Georgians.

The event took place this morning at the corner of President St. and Kerr-McGee road in Savannah, where the Aire Liquide plant had been sited before the company, and Tronox, lost over 700 high-paying manufacturing jobs alongside over 200 direct maintenance jobs cut and ported overseas. Messinger was there, like the group, to support Congressional approval of the Bring Jobs Home Act immediately after the 4th of July recess.

The bill closes tax loopholes for companies that send jobs overseas, and provides tax incentives to companies that bring jobs back to America. Messinger, on winning the July 31st primary, will run for Congress against incumbent 1st District Rep. Jack Kingston, who has already completed 10 terms in the U.S. House, where his voting record did not protect jobs, but has voted to defend corporations’ right to consistently export jobs.

“I am very pleased to see the show of support the Bring Jobs Home Action of the Central Labor Council and Jobs For Georgians,” Messinger told the group. “It is fundamental to our country’s economic recovery that we stop the practice of porting thousands of jobs yearly to Third World nations that lack labor laws, and exploit cheap labor at the expense of American workers.”

Messinger, originally from Ohio, where her family was active in the United Iron Workers and the Teamsters unions, is running on a platform that emphasizes economic recovery. She plans to work to expand jobs and economic opportunity in the 1st District through legislation like the Bring Jobs Home Act and will be a strong advocate for bringing foreign industries to the 1st District, to leverage proximity to the Port of Savannah, the high quality labor force that is here, and the access to U.S. markets Southeast Georgia provides.

“We need to emphasize getting industries here, not exporting American jobs,” Messinger said. Citing ways in which local Economic Development Authorities are forming partnerships with global businesses throughout Georgia, she said the presence of the port, and the high quality workforce development programs in the region were advantages that will attract foreign investment here, instead of siphoning business out of the District.

Messinger expressed her support for the General Labor Council’s mission to promote high quality jobs in the area, and said her voice will join union members, retirees, family, friends, veterans, students and all who are out of work in the 1st District to send Congress a clear, strong message that America wants to work!

Lesli Messinger Holds Successful Campaign Launch, ‘Smokin’ on the 30th’ in Savannah

Messinger For Congress — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:49:31 +0000

Democratic candidate for Georgia’s 1st District congressional seat, Lesli Messinger, held her candidate launch event, “Smokin’ on the 30th’ last Saturday at the Xtra Klean Detailing Salon at Montgomery and Henry Streets in Savannah. Hundreds came out to show their support for the candidate, including State Rep. Lester Jackson and State Democratic Party representative Miguel Comacho. “While the temperature exceeded 102 degrees our turn-out of support was incredible,” Messinger said. ”I had the chance to meet and speak with nearly 350 residents involved in Savannah (and Chatham) area projects, numerous members of the Clergy, and just regular people who want a voice in their government.”

Leslie Messinger Receives Official Endorsement of 2008 1st Congressional District Candidate Bill Gillespie

Messinger For Congress — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 17:34:41 +0000

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Democratic contender for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District Lesli R. Messinger has received the official endorsement of Savannah “progressive” Democrat Bill Gillespie, a 23-year U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq and retired in 2007 as a Lt. Colonel.

Gillespie offered Messinger his endorsement on Wednesday, June 13th, by a telephone call to her campaign manager. Gillespie ran unopposed on the Democratic ticket in 2008 against Kingston, winning 83,444 or 33.5 percent of the vote in the general election.

“We are extremely grateful, and proud, to have Bill Gillespie’s official endorsement for Georgia’s District 1 Congressional seat,” Messinger said. “We have a great deal of work to do, but are confident the tide of public concern over the way in which a Republican-dominated Congress has handled key issues that affect ordinary Americans will usher in a watershed moment in this election year for Democrats.”

Messinger cited the continuing erosion of the American middle class and harsh struggles working families face in the most difficult economy since the Great Depression will extinguish the American dream.

“This dream is now out of reach of millions,” she charges, “due to a Republican-dominated Congress putting up roadblocks to recovery, catering to special and corporate interests, and neglecting the needs of working people, U.S. veterans, families and other disenfranchised groups — from the longterm jobless to those who live in fear of losing the Social Security, Medicaid or Medicare benefits they paid into over a working lifetime.”

Messinger, among only a handful of women to ever run for Congress in Georgia, or the state’s1st Congressional District, is a Savannah area businesswoman who pledges to fight for jobs, working families, veterans facing difficulties reintegrating into civilian life, and wants to prioritize economic expansion. Her ideas include empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses, which, like the now eroding American middle class, she feels are “backbone elements” of a healthy socio-economy.

“The biggest issue this district, and this country, faces, is the economic downturn and lack of jobs. Veterans face an unemployment rate almost five percent higher than the national average, and new college graduates face a disastrous situation in a 30 percent unemployment rate. We can turn this around by providing real incentives for businesses that retain jobs in the U.S., and revitalizing communities by empowering local businesses, new businesses and entrepreneurial activities.

“This is how you empower people who have been disempowered. Republican Congressman Jack Kingston has had 27 years to serve the corporate and special interests that his record shows he prioritizes, especially in the last four years.

“He has not only voted consistently for measures favored by his largest campaign contributors, including foreign interests, he has a decisive record voting against working families, the unemployed, veterans and servicemen still on active duty, but also against those on fixed incomes. His record also shows that even when his Republican colleagues voted in favor of certain relief measures, Kingston took extreme positions and repeatedly rejected measures to give disenfranchised American citizens relief.

“We will go over Kingston’s lack of commitment to his constituents, and his ongoing allegiance to corporate interests in the coming weeks,” Messinger allowed. “We will demonstrate to Democratic voters that his record has become a case study in why Congress needs to enact legislation imposing term limits. Kingston’s observance of a three-day Congressional work week, in itself, of which he has been a public proponent, comes at the expense of the 1st District’s taxpayers, and is an insult to common sense.”

If the district sends Kingston to Congress for an 11th term, we’ve voted to keep corporate interests on the high-priority lists, and ordinary Americans whose children will not be able to afford to attend college, buy a home or even have children of their own. We will have robbed them of any semblance of a future, and ushered the American dream closer to its death.”

As for local issues, Messinger favors deepening the Port of Savannah, an issue that Kingston remained mute concerning for an untenable amount of time as federal money to fund the Port of Savannah Expansion Project was being proposed.

Messinger to Launch Candidacy With “Smokin’ on the 30th” Celebration

Messinger For Congress — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 17:31:39 +0000

Free Food, Cold Drinks and Music

Savannah – Candidate for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District Lesli Messinger will launch her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives and sponsor a community barbecue on Saturday, June 30th.

The event, “Smokin’ on the 30th” will be at the Xtra Klean Detailing Salon, at 1501 Montgomery Street, at the corner of Montgomery and West 31st St., one block east of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.

The celebration kicks off at 12:30, rain or shine. Local D.J. Curtis Victor Cooper will spin music, and everyone will be welcome to cold drinks and plenty of ribs, chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs and all the fixin’s – plus give-aways for the kids.

Savannah Democrats and all others are encouraged to come out and talk with Lesli Messinger, whose family has sponsored similar events in the community over the past four years.

“I’m not sure any other Congressional campaign has ever held a similar event in this community. It signifies my determination to be inclusive and responsive to everyone in Savannah and Chatham County, and the 1st Congressional District.”

The Georgia Democratic Party will be holding a voter registration drive close to the event.

1st District Candidate for U.S. House Lesli Messinger Voices Position on Quitman 10 + 2 and Voter Suppression by Republican- Dominant Government

Messinger For Congress — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 17:27:06 +0000

1st District Candidate for U.S. House Lesli Messinger Voices Position on Quitman 10 + 2 and Voter Suppression by Republican-Dominant Government

Messinger supports African American legislators’ call for Democrats to change unfair balance of Republican-dominant representation. She also will work to promote voter outreach in minority communities and fairer distribution of education funding to black communities, colleges and school districts.

Savannah – Democratic candidate for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District Lesli Messinger has voiced her support of African American legislators trying to change passive voter suppression they claim is evident in Republican-dominated Georgia state government, and which she says is underscored by a Republican dominated U.S. Congress.

“I am wholeheartedly behind African American legislative leaders voicing concern that voter suppression takes place actively, as evidenced in Brooks County’s “Quitman 10 + 2″ incident; and passively, as the state’s Republican-dominant executive, judicial and legislative branches of government ignore the need to reach out and engage young voters in minority communities.”

“A Republican-dominanted U.S. Congress is very unresponsive to these issues,” Messinger added.

Messinger issued these comments shortly after attending the summer conference of the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials (GABEO) held at Savannah State University, June 23-24.

Messinger also met with Savannah State University President Dr. Cheryl Davenport Dozier on Saturday, June 23, with whom she discussed the need to secure federal and state government funding for critical programs at Savannah State and other flagship black colleges and universities.

Messinger related her agreement with African American leaders that Republican dominant representation in Georgia has meant a wholesale neglect of the need to fund these universities adequately; and the need to reach and engage young voters in minority communities.

“With over 1.2 million unregistered African-American voters in Georgia,” Messinger related, “my conviction is strong that sending another Republican to Congress to represent the 1st District would further marginalize this community.”

Messinger addressed members of GABEO on June 23, assuring them of her support to champion public awareness of the Quitman 10 + 2 case, and what it means in a region of Georgia that comprises one of the poorest U.S. Congressional districts in the nation.

The Quitman 10 + 2 incident is being held up as an example of active voter suppression in

Southwest Georgia, by leading African American legislators. The town of 5,000 in Southwest Georgia’s Brooks County is comprised of 67 percent African-Americans, and was served by a traditionally all-white school board until a successful voter outreach campaign in 2010 ushered in three African-American school board officials, including a new chairman, Dr. Nancy Dennard.

The newly-electeds were subjected to a voter fraud GBI investigation, called by the Quitman District Attorney’s Office. On December 21, 2010, 10 people, including Dr. Dennard and the other successful candidates, were arrested and charged with unlawful possession of ballots. No unlawful activity was found, and none were charged with voter fraud.

“Nevertheless, for the progress they fought to win, they were persecuted,” Messinger said.

A year later two more Afro-Americans in Quitman were charged with voter fraud. Republican Gov. Nathan deal suspended three of the Afro-American Brooks County School Board members by executive order on Jan. 10, 2012.

State Rep. Tyrone Brooks, GABEO president also addressed the issue at GABEO, calling the GBI investigation and the ultimate dismissal of Quitman’s newly-elected school board members outright persecution. “Georgians should be ashamed of this in the home state of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Brooks added.

Rep. Brooks issued an urgent call to educate, and engage, young African American voters, saying if we do not, “the clock will continue ticking backwards.”

“It is not tenable for us to live in a society where so many people who lack opportunity are kept from changing their situation by passive, or overt, lack of action,” Messinger said.

“If we cannot rely on Republican leaders to fairly represent constituents in the 1st Congressional District, they must be voted out. I ask for your support on July 31 to change who is speaking on your behalf in Congress.”

Messinger invites all interested in Democrat issues before Congress to attend her candidate launch, “Smokin’ on the 30th,” this Saturday at Xtra Klean Detail Salon, 1501 Montgomery St. The free community celebration will serve barbecue, cold drinks and music, and have give-aways and activities for kids.

Messinger Meets With Local Democrat Supporters

Messinger For Congress — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 17:20:07 +0000

Lesli Messinger with young members of All Walks of Life (AWOL), a nonprofit that provides technology and arts education for at-risk youth.

Democrat candidate for the 1st Congressional District Lesli Messinger began meeting with local Democrats in Georgia’s 1st Congressional District this week. Thursday, Messinger met members of the public at a meet and greet at the Bean Coffee House after attending the opening press conference of the Annual Summer Convention of the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials (GABEO) at the Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, where she met State Rep. and GABEO President Tyrone Brooks of Atlanta, Rep. Bob Bryant of Savannah, and Roy Jackson, President of the Savannah State University National Alumni Association Association of Black State Universities. GABEO’s theme this year is “The Civil Rights Revolution: Honoring Our Legendary Heroes.” Messinger hopes to challenge Rep. Jack Kingston, who has served 10 consecutive terms in the U.S. House. On June 30th Messinger will hold her official candidate launch at a community barbeque, “Smokin’ on the 30th” at the Xtra Klean Detailing Salon, 1501 Montgomery Street. For more information on Messinger’s platform, go to Messinger4Congress.com.