Dear Friends,

I’m Gwen Howard and I want your vote. I’m asking you to send me to Washington to get things done. But, I know I have to earn your vote, so please allow me to start doing that – right now.

Our campaign is based on a very simple premise: In 2012, to beat an incumbent like Lee Terry, we have to offer a candidate who is different than Lee Terry in very fundamental ways. We won’t do it with big money or the support of political elites. In fact, those are the very folks who don’t even think I should be in this race.

But senior citizens who are concerned about the Lee Terry-backed Ryan plan and about Republican efforts to privatize Social Security and turn Medicare into a voucher system have asked me to run. I’m running and I won’t turn my back on our seniors when elected.

Working families who know I helped organize a union and know I’ve stood firm against anti-labor legislation in the Unicameral, have rallied to our campaign. I’ll make job creation and infrastructure top priorities if you send me to Washington.

Teachers and students know my record as vice chair of the Legislature’s Education Committee. They know I support our educators. I’m proud to have supported the Nebraska Dream Act and I’ll support a federal version in Congress. I’ll fight for better funding for federal student loan programs because our young people deserve access to education.

We simply can’t run into the corners on tough issues. I’m pro-choice, believe in equality for Nebraskans who are gay and support real immigration reform. These are not platitudes for me. I spent 34 years as a social worker, much of that time as an adoption specialist. I understand, respect and admire the commitment single mothers make in raising a child. That’s precisely why we shouldn’t make your sister or daughter criminals if they make a difficult but different decision. I sponsored Nebraska’s successful anti-bullying legislation because all children deserve to learn in a safe environment and we ought to expect that same commitment to fairness and equality for individuals and families in the GLBT community. And when I wanted to look closely at the businesses that recruit undocumented workers, our efforts were shut down by a mountain of opposition. Where was that opposition when pre-natal care was being denied to Nebraska’s expectant mothers who don’t have documentation?

There are a few naysayers and pundits who say we can’t win with a progressive agenda. Well, Democrats don’t win when we’re mirror images of Lee Terry. The last Democrat Nebraskans sent to the House, my close friend Peter Hoagland, was a strong advocate for education and labor and was pro-choice. The last Federal candidate to win the Second District was Barack Obama.

And here’s the bottom line. Voters are tired of gridlock caused by Washington Republicans in Congress. I’m the only candidate for Congress - in either party - with a successful legislative record of working across party lines. I began getting things done within my first six weeks in Lincoln, when the Legislature passed my bill sending Visiting Nurses to homes and educating mothers of at-risk newborns. In fact, I’ve introduced more successful legislation in 7 years than Lee Terry has in 7 terms.

In Lincoln, I’ve spoken on behalf of thousands of Nebraskans – just like you and me – who deserve a fair shake. Now, I want to be that same voice and start getting things done in Washington. Will you please help me?

All the best,

Gwen Howard
Candidate for U.S. Congress

P.S. Please join the campaign - right now!  It just takes moment, join now!