Supporters & Endorsements
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21st Century Democrats Founded to give progressive and populist candidates the support they need to win elections, Twenty-First Century Democrats has grown to become one of the largest political action committees in the nation. We combine a commitment to progressive values with extensive grassroots organizing experience, bringing together two critical components of Democratic success. |
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National Women's Political Caucus The National Women's Political Caucus is a multicultural, intergenerational, and multi-issue grassroots organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the political process and creating a true women’s political power base to achieve equality for all women. |
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National Organization for Women NOW is one of the few multi-issue progressive organizations in the United States. NOW stands against all oppression, recognizing that racism, sexism and homophobia are interrelated, that other forms of oppression such as classism and ableism work together with these three to keep power and privilege concentrated in the hands of a few. |
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Alaska Women's Political Caucus The goals of the Alaska Women's Political Caucus are to increase women's participation in the political process, to increase the number of progressive pro-choice women in elected and appointed positions, to win equality for women, and to support candidates who support our goals. |
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United States Senator Max Cleland Alaska needs Diane as the next member of Congress in the House of Representatives. She will bring strong leadership and a perspective to the needs of our Veterans and Soldiers that no other member in Congress can offer. I have watched this family take tragedy in their lives and turn it around. It is Diane and her son's continued strength to persevere that constantly impresses me. Diane is one courageous woman. |
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Representative Carolyn Maloney, Congresswoman |
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Representative Lynn Woolsey, Congresswoman |
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Brenda |
Alaska is facing an uncertain future in regards to education [high school, middle, and early childhood], economics, high gas prices, reduction of the Denali Kid Care program, and increased financial burdens due to the energy situation surrounding fossil fuels in this state. Therefore, we need a candidate such as Diane E. Benson, who is aware of not only the complex challenges this state is facing, but is willing to implement effective plans and courses of action to rectify these situations on a long term basis. Party lines are one thing, having a candidate willing to actually take on the agendas that are important to their constituents is another, and Benson is that candidate. She has my vote on Election Day. |
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Georgianna Lincoln, Former State Senator, District C |
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John Soltz, Iraq War Veteran, Co-Founder, VoteVets.org |
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Andrea Lang, Former Democratic District Chair, District 19 Diane Benson is a light of truth, rationale and compassion in a state where the dominant political regime rules with greed and corruption. Alaska needs an advocate who will defend and fight for opportunity and prosperity for ALL Alaskans....Alaska needs Diane Benson. |
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Dr. Nick Begich Diane Benson represents the heart of Alaska demonstrated throughout her life. I am pleased to have the opportunity to endorse her at this important time in our state's history! |
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Bill Hess Diane Benson, my friend of 25 years, is among the most articulate, intelligent, thoughtful, concerned and strong-willed people I have ever met. She has seen life at its best and worst, has suffered unspeakable hardship but has always risen from it to apply her many talents to make this world better. Put her in the House, and she will make our Congress better, for the good of Alaska and all of America. |
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Elaine |
Elaine Carroll Johnston, Fairbanks I am a Fairbanks teacher, but I began my career in 1976 in St. Mary's, Alaska. My life has been consumed with the well being of our state's most valuable resource, our children. Bless your heart for taking on the GOLIATH, Don Young. You have my admiration and support. |
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Maurice "Mo" Bailey,Vietnam Veteran I am supporting Diane Benson, for the following reasons. As a very concerned citizen, a parent and grandparent, I feel that this country is headed in the wrong Direction. As a US Army retiree and a 90% disabled Veteran, I am very concerned about the treatment of our Military personnel and our Veterans, past and present. It is indeed time for a change. After talking with Diane on many occasions and hearing her talk about the issues that I find troubling for this country, there is no doubt in my mind about her leadership ability, and commitment for change, to set this country on the right course. I am voting for Diane Benson. |
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Graehl Brooks, Fairbanks |
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Shirley Rivas,Democratic District Chair, District 20 Diane Benson is the most vibrant, forthright person I have ever met. Additionally, she is intelligent, charismatic, honest, and she so sincerely and powerfully speaks from her heart. You just know she means what she says, and says what she means. There is no double speak or mystery about where she stands. It is because of these qualities that I wholeheartedly support Diane Benson to represent the State of Alaska in the House of Representatives in our nation’s capitol. When she states that she supports health care for all (not neglecting our returning Iraq Veterans), I believe and trust that Diane will not just speak words at election time, but will fight for the people of Alaska. |
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Mike Williams, Akiak Iditarod Musher Alaska will benefit from the wisdom and leadership of someone like Diane Benson serving in the House of Representatives. I've known her for many years as a responsible dog musher (something I can appreciate), an advocate for sobriety, and as an intelligent and ethical person. I wholeheartedly support her. |
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Barbara Belknap, Juneau Diane Benson is running for Congress against Don Young. I supported her in 2006 and I support her now. She has the life experience and intellect that develops the best kind of leadership. Diane knows poverty because she's been there. She knows what raising a child alone is like because she did it. She understands what hard work is because she drove a tractor trailer during the construction of the pipeline, and a cement mixer in Anchorage to pay for her university education. She feels the pain of sexual abuse victims because she herself was abused. She is an Alaska Native and knows what discrimination feels like. And, most importantly for the times we live in, Diane knows viscerally what the costs of the Iraq war are because her son, Latseen, was severely wounded in Iraq. A bomb blew apart both his legs. She was by his side in the military hospitals and is in constant contact with him throughout his long recovery. Diane has a full understanding of what our soldiers need once they return from Iraq and she will fight for them and for an end to the war. |
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Jay Savan, Missouri I met Diane at a restaurant when I was on a business trip. I was reading a book on the challenges of the U.S. healthcare system, and she asked me what my thoughts were on the issue. I shared my ideas with her, based on my 22 years helping develop workable health insurance solutions, and she seemed genuinely interested. Only when I asked her what she did, did she tell me she's running for office. She went on to ask more questions in a genuine search for insight and ideas. Congress desperately needs leaders like Diane, and the American people deserve them. |
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Regina Manteufel, Democratic District Chair, District 23A Diane Benson is one of the most intelligent speakers that I have seen in a long time. She has the best experience in regards to the bush and she would get rid of the honey bucket. |
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DJ |
DJ Dallas, Fairbanks Washington, DC is worlds away from Ft. Yukon, Alaska and the 30+ years of Don Young's absence has perhaps limited his vision of current and realistic issues from the people of this great state. As one of us, Diane Benson recognizes the issues close to home. At critical times in this country NOW is the time for a fresh and positive change to 'politics as usual'! |
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Norman Ayagalria, Former Republican Candidate, Senate District S I assisted Diane Benson with her campaign in the YK Delta, and I'm confident Diane will represent Alaskans wholeheartedly in the US House. |
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Gail |
Gail Johnson, Anchorage I’m not good with words, so I don’t have an eloquent statement; I just want Diane to help take back my country. I served proudly for 20 years in the Navy, retiring in 1995, and I’m sickened by what the current administration has done to destroy this country’s honor and integrity. I have a young cousin in the Army; serving in Iraq on his second tour after his enlistment was involuntarily extended, so I know first hand the crimes this “dictatorship” has committed against our brave military. Don Young is part of the “Axis of Corruption” and needs to be defeated! Good Luck to Diane, she’s in my prayers. |
| Ken Burch,Juneau We need a Representative who fights for the rights of ordinary working people, one who will put the interests of those who work and live here ahead of Outside corporate campaign donors. We need a Representative who works for a strong and fair Alaska economy, one that includes ALL Alaskans, whether or not resource development is the engine of that economy. We need a Representative who knows what it’s like to get out and work hard for a living while raising a child, day after day and year after year. Diane Benson will be that kind of Representative. Diane Benson has earned the support of Alaska workers. |
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Native American Groups In Recognition of Diane's Work for all Veterans including Native American Veterans and their Families
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The following are some of your friends and neighbors
who have endorsed Diane Benson
for the US House of Representatives.
| Jerry Carroll | Mayor, Ft Yukon |
| Robert Silas | VietNam Veteran |
| James Apone | Democratic District Chair, District 23B |
| Sylvia Carlsson | Democratic District Vice-Chair, District 24 |
| Niilo Koponen | Board Member, AFSCME Retirees Local 52 |
| Darrell Behymer | Former Candidate for Alaska State House, District 19 |
| Senator Mike Brown | Shadow Senator, Washington, DC |
| Senator Paul Strauss | Shadow Senator, Washington, DC |
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Paul Brown, Karol Libbey, Jesse Jones, Sara Jackinsky, Heather Koponen, Gerald Shelley, Deanne Hill, Debbie Cahoon, Roberta Goughner, John Toppenberg, Dee Longenbaugh, Lloyd Eggan, Barbara May, Jacki Debevec, Ray Sensmeier, Pat Cunningham, Richard Atuk, Ruth Sheridan, Rosa Leader Smith, Zita Fearou, Mary Jo Pippin, Arthur Peterson, Laurene Madsen, Molly Anne McCarthy, Miranda Wright, Mike Irwin Ed Young, Sarah James, Mary and Jack Lentfer, Aaron Wernham, David Otness, Eric Stahike, Stanley Schoening, Linda Walker, Buck Bukowski, Nancy Walsh-Robart, Marsha Buck, Donna Pegues, Claudette Curtis, Richard Emanuel, Dani Haviland, Nina Prockish, Gordon Evans, Connie Page, Richard Kreofsky, Victoria Leffingwell, Dan Wanders, Patricia Pollastrini, Kyle Sandersen, Greg Streveler, Kierke Kussart, Gloria Zeche, Tony Smith, Meyer Braiterman, Grady Cofer Jr, Jeff Wood, Dotty Nelson, Jacob Arenas, Jean Becker, Dave Lanning, Karen Cameron, Alan Batten, Janet Lokken, Peggy Ellen Kleimleder, Abel Bult-Ito, Mike Wilson, Bob Ward, Judy Brakel, Mary Hughes, Ron Rozak, Lisa Hess, Karen Button Robert Mourant, Benny Cruz, Mary Shields, Helen Soares, Elizabeth Faulkner, Bob Weaver, Denny Mehner, Virginia Robinson, Richard Palmatier, Jun Kawakami, Ed Hakala, Marian Johnson, Gene Kulawik, Nick Begich, Gerald Rexrode, Rev. Richard Heacock, Jr., Roger Merle, Becky Gallen, Karol Libbey, Todd Butler, Irene Cashen, Mike Rogers, Barbara Kalen, Paul Cox, Elstun Lauesen, Gordon Evans Marvin Dawson, Roman Motyka, Sarah Jordan, Michael Tobin, David Lanning, Christine Rowinski, Nancy Barnes, Marie Olson, Lilli Walsh, Barbara Belknap, Ingrid Judson, James Goltz, Mary Watson, Ken Waggoner, Rose Anderson, Marilyn Russell, Margritt Engel, Jim Cobis, Jim LaBelle, Rev. Richard Heacock Jr, Marian Johnson, Amy Paige, Douglas McIntosh Mary Pat Schilly, Judith Whittaker, James Apone, Jane Atuk, Jimmy and Karen Ricks, Janis Strout, Taylor Brelsford, Linda Munns, Bonita Rohla, Kerry Feldman PhD, Tony Vita, Barbara Kalen, Daniel Wanders, Sally Greek Hitchcock, Victoria Leffingwell, Joel Malus, Richard Kreofsky, Connie Page, Gordon Evans, Nina Prockish, Richard Emanuel, Dani Haviland, Ana Hoffman, Michael Lemay, Amy Bollenbach |
