Voters in NJ's 11th Congressional district tend to have a libertarian streak to them, They are fairly well to do and have elected Rodney Frelinghuysen to 7 terms in the House of Representatives. Rodney Frelinghuysen is the 5th member of his family to serve in congress. Rodney Frelinghuysen is the safest republican in NJ.
But Tom Wyka knows how to talk to the libertarian leaning republicans in his district, and after his run in '06, is making serious inroads against this so called safe seat.
In NJ-7 Linda Stender ran in '06, she lost by 1 pt. She's looking to close the deal in '08 and win big. In NJ-5 Dems have improved steadily, year after year, Dennis Shulman looks to make NJ-5 even more competitive in '08. But Tom Wyka has the audacity to run against the Frelinghuysen Dynasty in NJ-11, and has shown he has what it takes to be New Jerseys best democratic challenger. Tom's 2006 campaign set district records for the number of democratic votes. To paraphrase what Bill Clinton said recently "history is on our side", with that kind of Mojo, it just might be the year that Rodney Frelinghuysen is vulnerable. So its time to get out there anddeliver the change New Jersey needs.
Now that the campaign is in full swing it looks like Obama may get in the high 40's in this republican district. Getting Wyka's message out to voters, means he can better that number and win in NJ-11.
I've seen it time and time again, unaffiliated voters who aren't sure about their Republican Congressman, meet Tom Wyka ,learn about Tom Wyka, in overwhelming numbers they vote for Tom Wyka. Having never hold elective office Tom Wyka is one of us.
But getting Tom's message of progressive populism costs money. Yes Tom has a 200 person volunteer army, canvassing and phonebanking. Yes Tom doesn't want lobby money, yes he wants small donations to power his campaign. Sound familiar? Tom's campaign is people powered, just like Barack Obama's.
So just like Tom, I'm going to do something I've never done before. No, I'm not running for office....I pledge to raise $10,000 for Wyka for Congress.
Gulp. Ok, I said it. 10 grand. I'm organizing a lunch time fundraiser on Saturday Oct 11th here in Montclair NJ, tickets will be $75 and I hope to sell 100 tickets. I've recruited Ron Rice Jr to speak, Newarks West Ward Councilman & member of Newark Mayor Cory Bookers team, was a big Howard Dean supporter and one of the original DFA organizers in New Jersey. I've invited New Jersey Senators Menendez and Lautenberg and our entire New Jersey House delegation to the event.
Even if this event is successful, I'm going to fall $2,500 short. As a first step to raising that $2,500 I've set up an Act Blue page for Tom Wyka. I'm going to call it my 8 bucks for Wyka in '08 campaign! Please give what you can.
Not convinced that Tom Wyka will will bring the change we need in New Jersey ? Watch Tom's latest video, "Healthcare Stories", and please visit my Act Blue page for Tom Wyka, and give 8 bucks for Wyka in '08
Also please go to U Tube and rate this up with 5 progressive stars and feel free to leave a comment, and tell Tom you came from Blue Jersey.
