Ousman Laast is the first 2012 SNAP Organizing Fellow in the field – a few weeks back, we sent him to work until the end of the primary for Ilya Sheyman in Illinois’ 10th congressional district. Ousman grew up in the Bronx and is a recent graduate of Seton Hall University. During his time [...]]]>

Ousman Laast is the first 2012 SNAP Organizing Fellow in the field – a few weeks back, we sent him to work until the end of the primary for Ilya Sheyman in Illinois’ 10th congressional district. Ousman grew up in the Bronx and is a recent graduate of Seton Hall University. During his time in college, he served as an intern to Congressman Donald Payne, studied in Cairo throughout the midst of the Arab Spring, and volunteered with AmeriCorps on environmental projects out in Nevada. We’re thrilled to have Ousman as part of our team this cycle, and proud of the work he’s been doing on the ground for Ilya during this critical time in the election cycle. Here’s what Ousman had to say to update us with what is going on in Waukegan and all across the 10th district:

In four weeks I have come to know what all political organizers know. There is no job quite like a political campaign. On a campaign the goal is victory on Election Day. To reach this goal thousands of dollars must be raised and tens of thousands of dials must be made. The campaigns that gain broad support are the ones with a strong message that speaks to the challenges of the community. What sets one campaign apart from the next its integrity and a commitment to serving its community.  As a Field Organizer, I am experiencing the power of a grassroots progressive campaign rooted in the community it serves.

Having entered the Ilya Sheyman campaign just two months shy of Election Day, the campaign has been moving at a fast pace.  In my first week I advanced our efforts to reach crucial demographics by securing an event with a senior center in our community and initiating our outreach into the faith community. Above all this work takes dedication and commitment to progressive values and our democratic process. On this campaign all members of our team whether the field staff or financial team, share a common bond. We are tied together by the need to elect a progressive candidate whose voice in congress will advance the cause of equality and fairness in our country. Each day I wake up racing against the clock. I have one thought, “today we must reach more voters, they must know the possibilities of our campaign”. Each time I staff our candidate for an event and hear his story and vision for his district and our country, I am filled with excitement at the possibility of what can be.

This is certainly a unique profession which often garners little attention. Yet when done well, the ability of our representatives to improve our lives by ensuring a more equitable society is transformative.  During the late night debrief sessions and early morning calls, I find sustenance in the hope that my fellow citizens will be captivated by my candidate the way I am. I hope that they too can dream of a freer, more fair and open society. It is my job to reach each one to let them know in our brief interaction how different and awesome their future can be with one more progressive voice fighting for their cause. This is an incredible experience I would not trade. In less than a month this primary election will come to a close and all votes will be cast. I hope that once again, a community organizer with a funny name will prevail. This will only be possible with the grassroots participation we know is so powerful. You can ensure a progressive candidate will enter congress by joining our effort to Call Out the Vote at www.calloutthevote.com .

 

 

NEW HAVEN, CT. — Students for a New American Politics (SNAP PAC), the nation’s largest student-run political action committee, has endorsed Connecticut Speaker of the House and candidate for Congress Chris Donovan in his bid to become the next representative from Connecticut’s 5th Congressional district.

“What we need right now in Congress are [...]]]>

NEW HAVEN, CT. — Students for a New American Politics (SNAP PAC), the nation’s largest student-run political action committee, has endorsed Connecticut Speaker of the House and candidate for Congress Chris Donovan in his bid to become the next representative from Connecticut’s 5th Congressional district.

“What we need right now in Congress are more fighters for middle-class families,” said executive director Matt Breuer. “Chris Donovan isn’t just talking about issues that matter to the middle class, he has a proven track record of fighting for them and winning, and we’re confident that the leadership he has shown throughout his career makes him the right person to represent Connecticut families in Washington.”

“I am honored to have the support and endorsement of the students of SNAP PAC. With their help, and with the help of the two organizers they will be sending to the campaign, we will fight for good jobs with solid benefits, to protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, and to increase Pell Grants and lower the cost of student aid in order to bring higher education within the economic reach of more American families,” said Donovan.

To support Donovan’s campaign, SNAP PAC will be sending two SNAP Organizing Fellows to work on his campaign as field organizers over the summer. SNAP Fellows are selected from a pool of hundreds of the most talented student organizers in the country, and are given the opportunity to do paid field organizing on the most progressive and competitive campaigns for Congress. College students can apply online to become a SNAP Organizing fellow at www.snappac.org.

Contact:
Matt Breuer
matthew.breuer@snappac.org
802.922.0789

After being the subject of an anonymous smear campaign, SNAP endorsed candidate Eric Griego is making a pledge to run the kind of campaign people in New Mexico’s first district deserve – a fair, open, and honest campaign about the issues and about what’s at stake. Click here to read what Eric’s [...]]]>

After being the subject of an anonymous smear campaign, SNAP endorsed candidate Eric Griego is making a pledge to run the kind of campaign people in New Mexico’s first district deserve – a fair, open, and honest campaign about the issues and about what’s at stake. Click here to read what Eric’s campaign has to say, and to sign the campaign pledge yourself. If this is a race that’s about the issues, then Eric will win every time, but if we let dirty politics control this race, then America will miss out on one of its next great leaders.

NEW HAVEN, CT. — Students for a New American Politics (SNAP PAC), the nation’s largest student-run political action committee, has endorsed Waukegan community organizer Ilya Sheyman in his campaign to represent Illinois’ 10th congressional district.

“It is not often that you find a candidate who can perfectly provide the voice that this country [...]]]>

NEW HAVEN, CT. — Students for a New American Politics (SNAP PAC), the nation’s largest student-run political action committee, has endorsed Waukegan community organizer Ilya Sheyman in his campaign to represent Illinois’ 10th congressional district.

“It is not often that you find a candidate who can perfectly provide the voice that this country needs in Washington,” said executive director Matt Breuer. “Ilya Sheyman understands the challenges facing young people in today’s job market and knows the importance of our social services to the nation’s most vulnerable. At a time when our economy and important government programs are under attack in Washington, we need a leader like Ilya to fight back for ordinary Americans and get this country back on the right track.”

“It’s going to take a Democrat with a powerful message, devoted volunteers, and a talented team to defeat Bob Dold next November. We are convinced that Ilya has put exactly that kind of campaign together, and will be the best candidate to defeat Bob Dold this fall. Representative Dold might not understand the importance of protecting the American Dream, but as someone who has lived that dream himself, and has worked tirelessly to protect that opportunity for others, we know that Ilya won’t just run a competitive campaign – he will run a winning one.”

To support Ilya’s campaign, SNAP will be sending one of the program’s Organizing Fellows to work through the March 20th primary. SNAP Fellows are selected from a pool of hundreds of the most talented student organizers in the country, and are given the opportunity to do paid field organizing on the most progressive and competitive campaigns for Congress. College students can apply online to become a SNAP Organizing fellow at www.snappac.org.

“Now more than ever, it is clear that Congress needs bold progressive leaders like Chris Murphy [...]]]> NEW HAVEN, CT. — Students for a New American Politics (SNAP PAC), the nation’s largest student-run political action committee, has endorsed Representative Chris Murphy (CT-Sen) and New Mexico State Senator Eric Griego (NM-1) in their bids for Congress.

“Now more than ever, it is clear that Congress needs bold progressive leaders like Chris Murphy and Eric Griego who will not just stand up to Republicans, but usher in a new era of progressive solutions,” said Matt Breuer, Executive Director of SNAP PAC. “Chris and Eric are going to be more than just two Democratic votes in Congress – they are going to be bold voices fighting against the Republican right-wing agenda.

“Chris and Eric are both running strong grassroots campaigns against opponents who will happily vote to gut critical programs like Social Security and Medicare against the wishes of their constituents, while offering more and more tax breaks for the wealthy. The American people deserve senators and representatives who are going to defend the vital programs their citizens depend on, and Americans can depend on Eric and Chris.”

Since its founding in 2005, Students for a New American Politics has awarded over 50 fellowships to college students to spend a summer working full-time on Congressional campaigns across the country. SNAP PAC only endorses progressive candidates running in the most competitive races around the country. Instead of donating money directly, SNAP PAC sends paid Organizing Fellows to work as organizers on endorsed candidate’s campaigns. College students can apply online to become a SNAP Organizing fellow at www.snappac.org.