After a phenomenal February, the Bennett for Congress campaign is proud to announce some very exciting news:

• With the 2007 year-end campaign finance reports now in, Sam Bennett is now officially the strongest fundraiser among all Democratic challengers in Pennsylvania. Keep up the momentum and donate today. Your dollars have the greatest impact early in the race. 
• Thanks to a grassroots petition drive, Sam Bennett filed for candidacy with almost 3,000 signatures – and is now clear to go through November with an uncontested primary.
• Momentum for Sam is building. Word is getting out that a truly committed community leader and Democrat is mounting a serious challenge to Congressman Dent. With the strong backing of labor, the four county Democratic party chairs in her district, and commitments from elected officials, we can do this. We need your support as well, both by giving money at this crucial early stage, volunteering, and spreading the word. 
• Word is also getting out there about Dent’s voting record in Congress – pro-oil-company, pro-big-business, with a poor voting record on the environment, childrens' healthcare, and the welfare of our veterans. How bad is his voting record? You can look it up here: www.progressivepunch.org

Allentown's own Sam Bennett is precisely the right kind of person to take on Congressman Dent.

According to Karl Rove, the 15th district is one of the most vulnerable Republican seats in the country: 

·        The 15th is one of only 7 in the country that voted for both Gore and Kerry that is still represented by a Republican Member of Congress.

·        It has 12,000 more Democrats than Republicans.

·        New registration is continuing to trend Democratic -- in the last presidential cycle there were 10,000 new Democratic registrations, and only 1,000 new Republicans.

·        Against a write in candidate in 2006, Dent outspent his opponent 14:1 ($1.4 million vs. $60,000), but only won re-election with 53% of the vote.

·        Congressman Dent is simply out of step with his constituents on the war in Iraq, Medicare and Medicaid policy, the environment, and most of the other issues that really matter to Lehigh Valley residents.

And about Sam herself:

With 30 years in business and civic leadership, Sam is the founder and statewide director of Properties of Merit of PA (www.mypom.org), a non-profit organization revitalizing communities and creating jobs by bringing older and challenged communities back to life. Her civic work includes resuscitating the Mayfair Festival of the Arts, creating the educational advocacy organization Good Neighbors, and co-founding the student-led William Allen Construction Co., a nationally unique public-private partnership. 

While working as a small-business owner, corporate executive, and raising her family, Sam has been restoring the Historic Benner Home of Allentown.

 "I am running because the Lehigh Valley can do better. It's time we had a Congressperson who votes with their conscience. I am reaching out to you because this campaign is about you - it's about all of us, and our childrens' future. I hope you can be a part of our campaign by donating and volunteering as soon as possible." - Sam

Again, we could not have come so far without you. Now get involved - and let's take the next step. Spread the word about Sam, call us, volunteer, and let us hear from you! More events coming soon...