Brunner News
Jennifer Brunner: Changing the Political Paradigm
by on 05.03.2010
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Even after months of campaigning and three straight weeks of riding around on an old school bus, Jennifer is still going strong. When our team is exhausted from the long and hectic day, it’s Jennifer that keeps us going. It seems that her conviction overrides all the fatigue and bumps in the road.
And it’s this spirit of determination that will empower her to improve the lives of both Ohioans and Americans in the U.S. Senate.
As Secretary of State, Jennifer faced a broken and corrupt election system. In less than two years, she was able to reform Ohio’s elections to be fair and honest. She makes decisions based on what is right—not party politics. And with our current partisan deadlock in Congress, we need people who will stand up and make tough decisions for the right reasons.
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Brunner is the best for Ohio
by on 05.03.2010
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Brunner has been outspent by her primary opponent 4 to 1. Jennifer has taken a grassroots campaign to the people of Ohio on the the Courage Express - her campaign bus. She has logged thousands of miles in three weeks going to many corners of Ohio. It reminds me of the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone's come-from-behind victorious campaign.
The first thing Jennifer Brunner did as Ohio Secretary of State was to rid Ohio of incompetent and biased election officials. They included Democrats and Republicans. I remember sitting in her office in the state capital in 2008 talking about voting machines. I was impressed with her zest and zeal despite opposition even within her own Democratic party. We also talked about election monitoring overseas. Global Panel was sending election monitors to Morocco, the Republic of Georgia and Ukraine. Jennifer was very interested.
Marc, I would go. I know we need honest officials to monitor the election but the people of Ohio need me here now. And they are my first priority. The people of Ohio have always been Jennifer's first priority. Just recently she canceled a visit to Europe with other States' Secretaries of State to speak about voting issues to US citizens overseas. But a conflict arose, and as always, the people of Ohio came first.
Jennifer Brunner should be supported in the Democratic primary and general election.
Brunner's honesty and integrity are beyond reproach.
The people of Ohio have always been her first priority.
That will be true in the US Senate as well.
Source: Read more
Brunner is the better choice for U.S. Senate
by on 05.03.2010
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The 2008 election in Ohio was free, fair, open and honest. Ms. Brunner has provided improved service to Ohio’s businesses, streamlining the process for business filings and updating a confusing website so company officials and the public can get quick answers to their questions. She has created a life quality index to help attract new businesses and jobs to Ohio.
Our boards of elections have been directed to protect from public disclosure private information on voter registration forms. She has instituted additional training for poll workers so voters can be assured that their votes are recorded and counted properly.
Ms. Brunner’s top priority is retention of existing jobs in Ohio and creation of new jobs. Her website, www.jenniferbrunnercom, details much more about what she pledges to do as our next U.S. senator. We urge you to vote for Jennifer Brunner.
Brunner’s bus logs 5,000 miles in 3 weeks
by on 05.02.2010
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At the Athens Community Center, Brunner pledged that she would fight for fairness, equality and respect — even if it’s not popular. She favors gay marriage, abortion rights, the health care overhaul, tougher regulation of financial institutions and retraining Ohio workers for clean energy jobs.
In the final week, Brunner’s campaign planned stops in college towns and small cities such as Lima, Bowling Green and Athens as well as another swing through Ohio’s largest cities. Lacking enough campaign money for TV ads, Brunner says the bus attracts attention and media coverage.
She urged supporters to help her underdog campaign by calling voters and helping them get to the polls. “We win with 50 percent, plus one. It’s that simple,” she said. “What has a greater impact than a canned commercial is you getting on the phone and talking to voters.”
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Source: Springfield News-Sun
Underdog Brunner shows skill
by on 05.01.2010
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But we think Democratic voters ought to give feisty underdog Brunner a good look in this race as well. She has shown resilience and policy-making skill as secretary of state, a difficult post on which both parties exert great pressure. We haven't agreed with some of her decisions on election policy, but she has stood her ground credibly on reforms and has worked out some snags in the voting process. Her ability to work with people of divergent views, while holding true to her liberal roots, shows she could be effective in the Senate, where she'd like to join her mentor, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. Brunner has leveraged her meager financial resources - most of the big money backs Fisher - with grassroots organizing and online campaigning.
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Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer
Where I stand: Brunner v. Fisher in Ohio’s US Senate race
by on 04.30.2010
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As Secretary of State, Jennifer has demonstrated without question her ability to tackle an utter mess of a system. She tackled a system that suffered from extreme degradation of trust. She rescued an untrusted system that undergirds every belief we have and every hope to which we cling that we can make a difference in our world: the electoral system.
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Source: Writes Like She Talks
Brunner gets the first Veterans group endorsement
by on 04.29.2010
The Veterans’ Vision announced today that it was endorsing Jennifer Brunner in the Ohio Democratic Senate primary.
From the press release:
“We asked Lee Fisher to stand up for American veterans and he would not clearly state his position. We need to sack the slackers for veterans and we are here to say that we unequivocally stand behind Jennifer Brunner in her US Senate run,” said Maj. Brian Hampton, Publisher of the VETERANS’ VISION, making it clear which Senate candidate veterans can trust.
Secretary Brunner recently joined with 50 current Members of Congress to affirm her support for the Veterans’ Bill of Rights sponsored by the VETERANS’ VISION, a veterans’ rights advocacy publication. Her primary opponent, Lee Fisher, despite receiving numerous chances, declined to acknowledge his support for the initiative.
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Source: Plunderbund
American Veterans Rally Behind Jennifer Brunner
by on 04.29.2010
The VETERANS' VISION publication today announced its endorsement of Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, currently running for US Senate in Ohio. Citing an ongoing commitment to veterans, Secretary Brunner was commended for her expansive knowledge of issues facing military veterans and her detailed plans to improve health care inadequacies and unemployment among veterans.
"We asked Lee Fisher to stand up for American veterans and he would not clearly state his position. We need to sack the slackers for veterans and we are here to say that we unequivocally stand behind Jennifer Brunner in her US Senate run," said Maj. Brian Hampton, Publisher of the VETERANS' VISION, making it clear which Senate candidate veterans can trust.
Secretary Brunner recently joined with 50 current Members of Congress to affirm her support for the Veterans' Bill of Rights sponsored by the VETERANS' VISION, a veterans' rights advocacy publication. Her primary opponent, Lee Fisher, despite receiving numerous chances, declined to acknowledge his support for the initiative.
The Veterans' Bill of Rights would require that every Veterans Administration Medical Center in the country offer Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) counseling, increase the funding provided to non-profit transitional facilities that get homeless veterans off the street and make veterans a top priority for Members of Congress.
Source: Press release
Brunner Vows to Bring More Opportunities to Young Americans and Ohioans
by on 04.27.2010
Today, U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Jennifer Brunner offered plans to improve opportunities for young Ohioans and Americans to complete college and post-college education and to obtain good paying jobs for their future.
"Our next Senator from Ohio must offer a bold federal policy agenda aimed at creating and keeping good jobs in both the private and public sectors," said Brunner. "We must recognize that exploitation of our work force hurts all of us. Growing local companies and social service organizations that can partner with universities and groom young workers keeps our young people in Ohio, gives them an edge in a competitive job market and rewards Ohio companies for doing so."
Brunner proposed tax credits for businesses that offer internships to university students that allow them to gain college credit and for tuition assistance they provide to their employees. In her proposal, she also offers tax credits to insurance companies that provide comprehensive health care plans to universities for students and graduate students that matches the quality of the insurance pool to be created by the new federal health reform act.
"Health care is often a major determinant in job decisions for many Ohians and Americans, especially young people," said Brunner. "People want to be able to make choices for themselves," she said. "Young people stand before many crossroads. We want to see them achieve their full potential, and this will help them do that."
Source: Media Release
Fisher on TV, Brunner on the bus
by on 04.27.2010
While Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher was buying cable television advertising time earlier this month, Secretary of State Jennfier Brunner was buying bus parts.
In pre-primary campaign reports covering activity from April 1-14, Fisher reported cable-TV buys of $750,000 and $150,000 on consecutive days for his May 4 Democratic primary with Brunner for the U.S. Senate.
Among Brunner's expenses were payments for diesel fuel and various supplies for the "Courage Express," the school bus she bought on eBay to travel around the state. The costs included $861.64 for a "bus exhaust pipe" and $103.50 to the state for a bus inspection.
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Jennifer Brunner stops in Cadiz
by on 04.23.2010
Ohio Secretary of State, and U.S. Senate Candidate Jennifer Brunner made a stop in Harrison County with her “Courage Express” as she makes her way across the great State of Ohio in her primary election bid for the Democrat candidate for the U.S. Senate. Jennifer returns to Harrison County after having been the key note speaker in 2008 for the Harrison County Democrat Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. Her visit today initiated the Harrison County Democrat Headquarters at 115 W. Market Street in advance of its official opening.
Jennifer has many strong and loyal friends in Harrison County because she has always been willing to reach out to the people of our wonderful communities and take a grassroots approach to her public service. Toni Starosciak is the County Coordinator for Jennifer’s campaign and expressed her appreciation of Jennifer’s desire to come to Cadiz and stop her “Courage Express” bus in front of the county courthouse and spend a little time meeting residents and taking pictures. “She is so down to earth and really cares about the individual citizen, ” said Starosciak. “Here is a woman who has served our State with pride and distinction as Secretary of State and now wants to continue to serve us in Washington.”
Source: ThisIsMyCounty.com
Media Release: Fisher Abandoned Job Creation for Campaign Cash & Wall Street Money
by on 04.22.2010
Lee Fisher, who stepped down last year as Ohio's economic development director to run for the U.S. Senate, says he'll create jobs as a U.S. Senator, but questions remain about why he quit Ohio's chief job creation post in the first place.
As reported in the Dayton Daily News, Fisher collected campaign cash from business leaders whose companies received millions from the state. The newspaper said Fisher "received nearly $20,000 from eight business leaders whose companies collectively received $12.9 million in state loans, tax credits or grants."
Source: Media Release
Brunner returns home for campaign stop
by on 04.20.2010
In the final weeks leading up to the May 4 primary, Jennifer Brunner returned to her hometown to meet with supporters and let voters know about her campaign.
Brunner, a South Charleston native, is facing Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher in a race to become the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in the fall. The winner will take on Rob Portman, the Republican candidate, in the fall. The seat became open with the retirement of George Voinovich.
Along with a campaign stop in downtown Springfield, Brunner also met with voters at Shoemaker Garringer Market and the Polar Bar in South Charleston.
Brunner said a grassroots campaign would be the most effective way to raise awareness about her candidacy and to win the Democratic nomination next month.
“We believe that a grassroots campaign is really the best way to meet the voters,” she said.
Source: Springfield News Sun
The Hot Seat: Can a heated race for Senate stay civil till Election Day?
by on 04.20.2010
One Cleveland-area Democratic leader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says Fisher's supporters have threatened to make "pariahs" out of those who openly support Brunner with money.
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Catherine Turcer, director of Money in Politics, a Columbus-based nonprofit that studies how dollars affect campaigns and policy, says tactics to shut down opponents' funding happen more often than not — especially when one candidate goes against the party grain. In Brunner's case, some of the party maneuvering could be interpreted as sexism against a stubborn, powerful female, says Turcer.
"She's a woman, and she hasn't been a good little soldier."
Source: Cleveland Scene
Media Release: DFA’s Jim Dean to Join Internet-Aided Brunner Bus Tour Tuesday
by on 04.19.2010
James H. "Jim" Dean, Chair of Democracy for America and brother of former DNC Chair Gov. Howard Dean, will join Ohio Secretary of State and U.S. Senate Candidate Jennifer Brunner aboard "The Courage Express," a refurbished 1991 International Harvester school bus, for bus tour stops in Madison, Clark, Miami, Auglaize, and Mercer Counties.
In a sign of her surging momentum as the May 4th primary election approaches, last week Jennifer Brunner received the endorsement of Democracy for America, a powerful voice for progressives and the largest political action committee in the country. In his national email message announcing the endorsement, Jim Dean praised Brunner's people-powered grassroots campaign and said that it is "time to shake up the U.S. Senate":
Progressives have watched good legislation passed by the House die in the Senate -- the public option, the climate change bill, financial reform -- you name it, they killed it. Why? Because big banks, insurance companies and Wall Street fund too many Democratic Senators' campaigns. On May 4, we'll have our first chance to strike back and elect a leader who will stand up for us in the Senate.
Jennifer Brunner is the progressive running for U.S. Senate in the Ohio Democratic primary. She's running a grassroots campaign powered by people and small donations, not Wall Street and corporate cash. That's why 57% of Ohio DFA members support Brunner, while only 14% support Lee Fisher, her Democratic opponent.
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Although "The Courage Express" is a nineteen-year-old school bus with the distinctly low-tech feel of worn shock absorbers and plain work tables installed between sets of the original school bus seats, the bus tour includes a high-tech internet-based dimension.
Purchased on EBay, The Courage Express features an adapter that enables campaign staffers to power their laptops and recharge their mobile phone and other devices, and it has a mobile wifi "hotspot" to allow broadband internet access on the road. The bus is paired with an internet presence at http://www.TheCourageExpress.com, a stand-alone web page that features an introduction and schedule of tour stops, "video blogs" hosted on YouTube (click the images below to view), photographs from the road, and an interactive live-blogging feature for the candidate and staffers to post stories from the tour and for members of the public to submit comments and questions.
Source: Read more