Who is the best Democratic elected official in your state?

[UrbScotty]

It can be your Governor, it can be a county clerk on the other side of the state, or anyone anywhere in between.

Michigan is blessed to have Carl Levin and Jennifer Granholm. Levin voted against Rice's nomination, continuing his 26-year record of being one of the Senate's more liberal members. Granholm has served with grace these past two years, considering the budget situation she was handed by John Mangler.

[ryban]

1. Florida State Senator Skip Campbell

His Florida Senate web page:

http://www.flsenate.gov/Legislators/index.cfm?Members=View+Page&LastName=Campbell&District_Num_Link=032&Title=%2D%3ESenate%2D%3ECampbell%2C%20Walter%20G%2E%20%22Skip%22%2C%20Jr%2E&Submenu=1&Tab=legislators&chamber=Senate

[demo dutch]

64. FL Sen. Ron Klein is pretty good. Very happy to have US Rep Robert Wexler

District 19. Fighting for decent elections, papertrail etc.

[soleft]

2. Jerry Nadler - My US Congressman/Debra Glick State Congresswoman

[BrklynLiberal]

6. Ditto. (Is Eliot Spitzer elected? He's good)

[sportndandy]

3. Delaware - Republican congressman Mike Castle

I guess that tells you what I think of Joe Biden. Can't say anything nice about Carper either. Gov. Minner is a yawn, another machine politician.

[DaveinMD]

69. you call yourself a Democrat?

the Democrats you mention vote the right way a whole heck of a lot more than Castle.

[SeaBob]

119. MA

What about John Adams wasnt he a democrat

[paineinthearse]

4. Tough choice in MassaBluesetts

Senators John Kerry & Ted Kennedy.

Representatives John Olver, Richard Neal, Jim McGovern, Barney Frank, Marty
Meehan, John Tierney, Ed Markey, Mike Capuano, Steve Lynch, Bill Delahunt.

100% blue delegation.

Hmmmmmmmm

I say John Olver & Ed Markey (becasue they voted in support of Tubbs-Jones/Boxer), Meehan (because he has an Iraq withdrawal plan - see ABC at 11:30PM tonight) and Kerry & Kennedy because they voted against that "starchy side dish that is served with beans".

[TayTay]

37. You nailed it

My Blue MA thoughts exactly. I like Meehan. He is my Rep and is starting to take some heat from the Lowell Sun (Feh!) for his views.

Thanks! Well put.

[Semi_subversive]

5. Barbara Boxer!

[sakabatou]

100. Yep

[esvhicl]

101. Barbara Boxer rocks--but my local rep Diane Watson is great, too!

And don't forget Henry Waxman!

[DODI]

7. John Larson, US Congress, First District, Connecticut.

He is great.

Part of his comments on * coronation:

. . .“I echo the praise that the president had for our troops who have done a tremendous job under the most difficult of circumstances. However, despite his broad language and platitudes, he and his administration must face facts when it comes to our situation Iraq. While our troops have followed their orders and performed remarkably, the administration’s unrealistic pre-war predictions and impossibly poor planning have rendered their foreign policy a failure. . .

http://www.house.gov/larson/pr_050120.htm

[sandnsea]

8. DeFazio, Blumenauer

Although I'm biased towards my own Rep, DeFazio.

[katinmn]

9. Dayton is the man of the hour

:kick:

[LostInAnomie]

10. Sadly, Evan Bayh.

He's about the only Dem in my state.

[Corey_Baker08]

61. Same Here

I Miss Joe Kernan more and more everyday, even though I thought Daniels would have done a better job that was false thinking he sux.

Hes cutting 28 million dollars in school funding, my school will be affected and stopping the colts from building a new stadium pretty much.

Im from around Muncie are by the way.

[Name removed]

104. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Daylin Byak]

122. Indiana....

What about Pete Visclosky or Julia Carson, there Democrats from Indiana as well, you like them?

As for me since i live in PA....no brainer John Murtha.

[Merlot]

11. Barbara Boxer and Kevin Shelly

He stood up to dibold and is now paying the price!

[genius]

25. Kevin Shelley kept elections fair. The vote-riggers want to replace him

We need to stand up for him.

[ashmanonar]

12. john conyers baby!

all the way.

[UrbScotty]

96. How did I forget him?

:-)

[Smarmie Doofus]

13. New York... so this is in the category of " library of thin books":

nonetheless, I like Rangel, Mark Green ( perennial candidate but a man of substance); I also like Dan O'Donnell ( Rosie's brother and State assembly memeber) and State Senator Tom Duane ( a bit dogmatic but puts his *** on the line.)

[Hippo_Tron]

55. What about your Attorney General?

I hear that he's pretty good.

[montanacowboy]

14. CONGRESSMAN JIM MCDERMOTT

FROM THE GREAT STATE OF WASHINGTON - TAKES NO SHIT FROM BUSHITAS

[genius]

26. He needs financial support because the Republicans are draining

his resources by making him fight for the right of the public to know. If you are connected to any clubs or groups, please get them to donate to him.

[Pierzin]

120. Jim McDermott Hand of WA - NO CONTEST THERE!!

Jim made huge press by going to Iraq and telling the media there is no reason to invade that country - before the war started - and got bashed by the media fo weeks about it. At least he has the balls to call a kettle black, unlike our Republcan Senator Maria Cantwell!!:sarcasm:

[MadAsHell]

15. I will narrow it to three ...

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, or Senator Russ Feingold, or State Senator Jon Erpenbach... But a number of ours desire some mention.

[PresidentObama]

16. Robin Carnahan or Jay Nixon (Missouri SOS and Attorney General)

I hope one of these two runs in 2008 for Missouri Governor

[xmas74]

21. I would love to see Jay Nixon

run for governor in 2008. We need someone competent (did you see the reforms that Blunt is trying to put in place? GASP!)

I would rather hold off Robin for US Senate. I think that she would be brilliant in that position ( and then Missouri can talk about the Carnahan legency, instead of listening to the "Bush Dynasty" all day long).
If Robin runs in '08, I think that would be against Kit Bond (unless he finally leaves). It could be done, if campaigning were started very early.

[leanin_green]

17. Jim Matheson, congressman/Democrat.

Although he's more centrist than I would like, he is engaging and shows a true sincerity for his constituents. To be re-elected in Utah is saying something. Especially in a Republican stronghold like the southern part of the state.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

18. My nod goes to the Honorable Dick Durbin, the senior

senator from Illinois.

Wonderful man and believe me, Paul Simon is looking down from heaven and smiling on Durbin after his no vote on Condoliesa and I'm pretty sure Sen. Durbin is going to vote no on Gonzales as well.

[barb162]

23. yeah Durbin's terrific and a down arrow to Obama for voting

for LIAR Condi.

[Southsideirish]

48. Agreed! On both points.

[Doc_Technical]

19. Sam Farr.

17th Congressional District.

[Dying Eagle]

20. Wisconsin-

Its a tough choice between Senator Feingold and Governor Doyle. National Feingold may be peoples choice, but Gov. Jim Doyle has been a excellent Governor.

[Zebulon]

41. Re: Its a tough choice between Senator Feingold and Governor Doyle.

I agree. I'd rate Feingold ahead by a little. I was skeptical of Doyle at first, but he's been winning me over.

[Democrat Dragon]

22. Boxer!

[genius]

24. California: State - Phil Angelides Fed - Maxine Waters

We have a number of great Congressmen and women. We have Maxine Wateres, Diane Watson, Barbara Lee and Bob Filner. Barbara has gotten courage lately and is reminding me more of these brave Congresspersons.

[WyLoochka]

27. Janet Napolitano - Guv of AZ

Raul Grijalva - CD 7th Rep

Ed Pastor - CD 4th Rep

Terry Goddard - Attorney General

[NoodleBoy]

28. I'd rank Napolitano lower

Ken Cheuvront (state senator) at the top, then Ed Pastor. Chevront's done a good job of exposing the ridiculousness of some of the members of the state legislature. Napolitano would be higher if she didn't cave on lowering taxes.

[SharonRB]

29. I'll have to agree with you on Carl and Jennifer

Carl's brother Sandy, my rep, is right up there, too.

EDIT: I'll have to add Conyers to this list!

[NNadir]

30. Rush Holt, 12th NJ district congressman.

[specedteacher]

31. Out here in Arizona it's...

Governor Janet Napalitano. She is doing an outstanding job out here. She's brought us all day kindergarten, supported a woman's right to choose, and stood against the repukelican bushshit emanating from the loony Arizona legislature.

[FightinNewDem]

32. It's a short list, unfortunately

Rep. Jay Phinizy (D-Acworth): Smart, quirky and doggedly honest. The go-to guy on environmental issues in the NH House.

Rep. Jim Splaine (D-Portsmouth): A guy who has forgotten more about the legislative process than most of us could learn in a lifetime, yet who is always ready to serve as a mentor and guide to political newcomers.

Executive Councilor Deb Pignatelli (D-Nashua): The council is a weird creature; only NH and Mass still have this colonial-era throwback. In NH, they approve state contracts, judicial appointments, and appointments to boards and commissions. Deb is the sole Dem on the 5 member council, and is fighting to restore accountability and end the sweet-heart backroom deals that have tarnished state government.

Honorable Mentions:

Rep. Christine Hamm
Rep. Judith Spang
Rep. Bill Knowles ( a genius on criminal justice policy!)

[fit4life]

33. Dick Durbin!

HE had the guts to vote against the Rice confirmation, while Obama voted for it.

[GettysbergII]

82. I'd go with Jesse Jackson Jr.

He voted against certifying the Ohio electoral vote on January 6th and lead the charge to challenge it with Conyers.

[olkaz]

126. /signed

Dick Durbin is one amazing individual. He's doing good things all over the place, and even found time to help with rebuilding my area after tornados (while our jackass governor just flew over it, thanks Rod).

Dick Durbin is the man.

[radio4progressives]

34. Boxer -- I hope I don't have to explain why ! n/t

[YvonneCa]

86. AGREED..Boxer (and Bob Filner, San Diego) n/t

[cascadiance]

94. Boxer and our new San Diego mayor (Donna Frye)

At least she is in many of our minds. I'm told that many are calling her "Mayor" in City Council meetings to rub in the point that she was the candidate that actually won, even if she's not allowed to take office now. With the way things keep blowing up in Murphy's present situation, I wouldn't be surprise that she gets in later after he gets recalled.

[ronnykmarshall]

35. BOXER!!!

She really shaking things up.

[davidinalameda]

36. Mark Leno

state assembly member

[Rockholm]

38. Senator Edward Kennedy.

[Deep13]

40. Ted Kennedy--first time I voted.

The first time I was old enough to vote was in 1988. (Actually, I had forgotten to register in 1986). At the time, I lived in the Bay State and it was my honor to cast my first two votes for Dukakis for president and Ted Kennedy for US Senate.

[ProgressAlwaysWins]

109. I honestly wish Kennedy would go away

He's a murdering drunk. He's basically a giant bullseye for the right to take cheap shots at us. I'm the bluest Masshole around and I think he's a stain on the Democratic Party. Only good one to come out of that family was John.

[Deep13]

39. Medina, OH

County Prosecutor Dean Holman. This is a majority R county. D.H. defeated a R incumbent to get the job. He is consistently one of the most popular county officials here and easily the most popular D. DH has held office for something like 18 years, the longest serving Prosecutor in this county. He knows everyone. Further he is not one of these officials who is technically a D but really thinks party is unimportant. Last year, he gave a lot of money to the Kerry campaign (I know because we went to the same fund-raisers) and he knocked on doors and made telephone calls for Kerry and local D candidates. Can you imagine the district attorney showing up on your door asking you to vote for John Kerry? Significantly, he is pro-gun owner and against gay marriage. That's the kind of county this and most of America is.

Also, Congressman Sherrod Brown is top drawer. He has a nearly perfect pro-environment voting record. I heard him speak at a Kerry rally in Akron where he characterized Dick Cheney as the prince of darkness. Hell, Brown should be president.

[OzarkDem]

67. Cong. Sherrod Brown is best

Dean Holman is ok, but some of his decisions have been questionable. Wasn't he the one who decided to not press serious charges against the dad who left his baby to suffocate in the car while he was at work?

I don't see Holman as ever winning any office outside of Medina Co.

[Quetzal]

42. It is a tie between Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Akaka (D-HI)

[jerseygirl]

43. NJ Acting Gov. Dick Codey and Congressman Rush Holt

U.S. Senators Jon Corzine has done a good job and is very popular. And I love Frank Lautenberg, if for nothing else than his excellent Chickenhawk speech on the Senate floor!

[njdemocrat106]

90. Add Bob Menendez to that list

Once Corzine becomes governor, I hope Menendez takes Corzine's seat in the Senate.

[NJ Democrats]

111. I agree

with those 5.
Corzine, Cody, menendez, Holt.

[DianeK]

44. senator patrick leahy....

no question about it

[cascadiance]

95. I've always liked Patrick Leahy...

from the days of his prinicipled stances on the Communications Decency Act when noone else would stand up to that flawed Communications Act then.

Seems like Vermont has many decent folks to choose from:

"The Gov" Howard Dean
Bernie Sanders
Patrick Leahy
Jim Jeffords (doing the right thing and setting an example of what other "moderate" Republicans should do)

[rndmprsn]

45. Barbara Mikulski - MD

although im still a little peeved @ her vote for condi rice..she is a great democrat loved in this state and she voted against the IWR too...big thumbs up for my gal in the senate =]

[Cozmosis]

63. Agreed :)

[DaveinMD]

70. I'd go with Steny Hoyer or Chris Van Hollen

the way Mikulski treats her staff really pisses me off.

[DaveinMD]

71. I'd also be remiss

if I didn't mention my friend and client Del. Anne Kaiser. She's a freshman delegate from Montgomery County. She's one of three openly gay or lesbian members of the Maryland legislature. She's incredibly bright and honest and shows a great civil libertarian streak. I'm always proud to work for her.

[Liberty Belle]

46. Barbara Boxer, hands down.

[Capn Sunshine]

88. HELL YES!!!!

I LOVE this woman

[RebelOne]

47. Cynthia McKinley in Georgia.

[Serial Mom]

49. Russ Feingold - Wisconsin

He is one of the most independent voters in Congress.

The only one to vote AGAINST the Patriot Act.

[BamaLefty]

50. Artur Davis

He is a US Representative from Birmingham. I really think a lot of him. He is Alabama's own Barack Obama. ;)

[Daylin Byak]

123. Yeah but the difference between Obama and Davis...

Is that Barack Obama is not a rising star in the DLC.

Better watch out, come 2008 he could be bama's newest Senator

[Dying Eagle]

68. I agree on Feingold

Honorable mention for Gov. Jim Doyle. He is doing a hell of a job as well!!!

[Zynx]

83. He is the best our state has produced in a while.

[SW FL Dem]

51. Sadly it is probably Bill Nelson

our only Dem Senator, who is facing a tough reelection battle in 2006 and was forced to vote for Gonzales to reduce the ammunition the pugs are trying to throw at him.

[BornaDem]

52. Bob Casey, Jr. PA Treasurer

[amandabeech]

66. I have to go with Gov. Rendell (PA), too,

although I like Casey a lot.

Honorable mention to Rep. Tim Holden (D) Harrisburg. He's about as good as it can get here in the Alabama part of Pennsylvania, and he's in tune with people who have to work for a living.

[XDreamBoi]

107. PA Governor Ed Rendell!

Good ol' Eddie!! He'll never let ya down :)

[Dob Bole]

53. Mark Taylor, GA Lt. Governor, Thurbert Baker, GA Attorney General.....nt

[Hippo_Tron]

54. Louisiana - I can't think of anybody good

Certainly not Kathleen DINO Blanco or Mary I vote democratic when it's convenient Landrieu. Certainly not racist puke David Vitter. Oh yea did I mention that the solid blue Louisiana 2nd congressional district is Represented by the spineless Bill Jefferson. And while New Orleans may constantly elect democrats, most of them are corrupt as hell.

I'll just say Edwin Edwards, cuz even though he was a criminal, he beats the current bunch by miles.

[UTdem]

56. How about one of the ONLY

Jim Matheson, US Representative

[DFLforever]

57. Sen. Mark Dayton

Atty General - Mike Hatch
House Minority (by 2 votes!)Leader - Matt Entenza

[Dave Sund]

58. Mike Fahey

Mayor of Omaha.

[Bluzmann57]

59. Here in Iowa

we have the two obvious individuals, Senator Tom Harkin and Governor Tom Vilsack. Both men actually do something that's unheard of, they try and make a better quality of life for the people of the state of Iowa. There is a local representative named Cindy Winckler who has done a good job in our district here in Iowa. AG Miller is all right too. He also tries to do right by the people of Iowa.

[Inspired]

98. Harkin is the best!

I am so proud of Senator Harkin. He is simply the best. Attorney General Miller is pretty awesome, too. Vilsack is OK, but not on the same level as Harkin. Watch out for Chet Culver....he seems to be a rising star.

[ianna_kur]

60. California

Boxer. :-)

[Princess Buttercup]

62. Rep. Lloyd Doggett

He was targeted by DeLay's redistricting plan, had to run in a new district, and still won. As far as I'm concerned he's still my representative, although he really isn't anymore thanks to the redistricting.

I just wish we had more Dems to choose from in Texas.

LE

[Horse with no Name]

73. Doggett is my choice for Texas as well

Would make a great candidate for 2008.

[JaneQPublic]

65. In Maryland, I'd say Sen. Paul Sarbanes

He's a work horse, not a show horse, so you'll rarely see him on Sunday morning talking head shows. Plus, he has an impeccably liberal voting record.

Following closely behind Sarbanes, though, is Sen. "Babs" Mikulski and Baltimore Mayor Marty O'Malley (the state's next gov, if I get my way).

[Akno21]

75. In Maryland, I'd say Sen. Paul Sarbanes

I'd agree with that. If we are a Democratic Republic, our Senators are essentially voting for us, and they both, but especially him, do a great job.

[autorank]

72. VIRGINIA: Gov. Mark Warner, DEMOCRAT

Warner made a bundle in high tech in the 80's/90's. Instead of collecting art or whatever, he reinvested some of his money and most of his time to run as a Democrat for Senate (against John Warner, almost won) and to win when he ran for Governor. He reached out to all parts of the state, rural, urban, suburban. He started an insurance fund for 1/2 a million people without insurance and, at the same time, he began a well throughout nano technology initiative for the state's future.

Doesn't get much better than this!!!

We love him. He's in the fine tradition of the last Democratic governor, Doug Wilder ('89-'93). They both governed extremely well in hard times. In fact, Warner inherited what was supposed to be a balanced budget from Gilmore. This turned out to be a $3.0 billion deficit. He dug in and fixed things and kept our state in very good shape.

[GOPBasher]

74. I'm in NY -- Chuck Schumer here, IMO. nt

[Moloch]

76. Mary Landrieu

She's not the BEST Senator, but more than we can expect in Louisiana.

[stackhouse]

77. CONGRESSWOMAN BETTY McCULLUM

GO BETTY

[Turn CO Blue]

78. Colorado - Rep. Mark Udall

[Mr_King]

79. Gov. Jennifer Granholm...

I'm pround to say that my first two state wide votes were for Jennifer Granholm (though I supported Jim Blanchard in the primary) and Carl Levin for Senate. And they both won...now in 2006 it will be Granholm and Stabenow.

[machiado]

80. Arkansas Congressman Vic Snyder

http://www.house.gov/snyder/

[ailsagirl]

81. The incredible Barbara Boxer

And Lynn Woolsey (my representative)

[corbett]

84. Representative Corrine Brown, Florida's 3rd District, Keeps It Real

[inslee08]

85. McDermott (WA)

Congressman Inslee in a close-second.

[Erding]

87. Best Democratic official

I second that and add Stabenow to that illustrious group.

[stillcool]

89. Teddy Kennedy!!

And really glad to have him!

[Claire Beth]

91. Phil Bredesen....

our governor in TN.

[Hell in a Handbasket]

92. The future VP of the US...

Mark Warner.

[Ken Burch]

93. A few in Alaska

all though they are all, of course, in the minority in our knuckledragging earthraper Legislature

1)Senator Bettye Davis-a passionate, eloquent African American state senator from Anchorage (whose Republican opponent in the last election actually attacked her for taking time off from the 2004 legislative session to be with her dying husband), a woman who is the conscience of the Senate.

2)Our Juneau Democratic Senator, Kim Elton, and our representative, Beth Kerttula, who have maintained a strong and dignified progressive opposition to Republican arrogance.

3)Democratic House minority leader Ethan Berkowitz, just for hanging in there and fighting through years of being outnumbered two-to-one in the House.

[dajoki]

97. treasurer-bob casey jr. of pa

or gov. ed rendell.

[PA Mamma]

103. Jeepers Creepers !

You just made my eyeballs *POP* out with that one.

Bob “Err on the side of Life” Casey
and
Ed “16% Pay Raise” Rendell

Are we in the same state??? :shrug:

[Codeblue]

99. John Hickenlooper

Mayor of Denver and voted into the top 5 best mayors in the country. He was a political rookie when he took office here so he has an 80% approval.

Plus, he's actually delivering on all of his promises and every initiative he has backed has gotten tons of suuport from the voters all across the state. And he backs the RIGHT initiatives. Great guy.

[Mikosmaxairitsas]

102. Georgia - Cathy Cox

Cathy Cox.

[VADem11]

105. In Virginia

I would have to say Mark Warner. Though I do like a lot of the local delegates.

[keek]

106. Obama & Durbin

[ProgressAlwaysWins]

108. Pretty easy answer

John Kerry.

[guru_5685]

110. w3ar

If there has been one success in the bush presidency, it has been to divide the country and paralyze it. The masses and divided and ready for another civil war.

This time the war will not be fought with bullets; at least not on american soil. The civil war in america this time will be fought with ideas and politics about things that do not matter to our country as a whole. We will fight about abortion, gay rights, affirmative action, and the death penalty.

If we are going to have a meaningful CRUSADE in this country, we need to fight against corporate corruption, energy management, protection of civil liberties, corporate exploitation, outsourcing of jobs, and the lack of unity that exists in america today

I want a war...one the freaking matters !!!!!!!!!

[tulip]

112. Happily Senator Bayh

I love Senator Bayh. I'm very happy with him. He was the governor who cared about education. Because of his legislation Hoosier graduates from a low income family can go to college tuition free. Under Daniels education will suffer. But it hasn't been easy in Indiana. Unemployment is still high.....unemployed people means less tax dollars to fund many programs.

http://www.in.gov/ssaci/programs/21st/index.html

[NativeTexan]

113. Dang, I wish there WAS a STATEWIDE....

....Democratic official here!!

[Lefty48197]

114. My Senator, and yours: Carl Levin

The conscience of the nation.

[Odin2005]

115. Our Attorney General, Mike Hatch.

Hopefully Governor Hatch next January.:)

[SharonRB]

116. I echo your sentiments exactly!

[goodriddance]

117. John Corzine

hasn't made NJ any worse (yet)

[espera17]

118. Bob Casey Jr and Rendell

they both are great
http://electionpredictions.blogspot.com/

[PJ Puryear]

121. NC: Brad Miller

I have to go with my boss, don't I?

[Daylin Byak]

124. Here in PA

I'll have to say Rep. John Murtha and state treseauer Bob Casey.

[Kerrytravelers]

125. Barbara Boxer! She's a Goddess!