Democratic Candidates to Speak at Old Fashion Torchlight Rally in Woodstock

Dennis Anderson, Congressional candidate in the 14th District and Amanda Howland, State Senate candidate in the 24th District are just some of a parade of Democratic Party hopefuls who will take to the stump in the Gazebo on Woodstock Square Thursday evening at 6:30 for   an old fashion torchlight rally.

The program will feature an all too rare opportunity to hear directly from candidates for Congress, the state legislature, and the McHenry County Board.

“Stark lines have been drawn between our two parties from the race for the White House on down as never before,” according to event coordinator and program moderator Patrick Murfin.  “Democrats on all levels represent fundamental American values of fairness, compassion, equality, and above all, common sense.  Republicans have marginalized themselves on the fringe.  People in McHenry Country are paying attention and old habits are being broken.”

People are encouraged to bring flashlights, to illuminate the torchlight rally.

Several candidates will also be setting up tables with literature and have yard signs available.

The program is sponsored by the Democratic Party of McHenry County and is free to the public.

For more information contact Murfin at 815 814-5645, e-mail pmurfin@sbcglobal.net or visit http://www.mchenrydems.org/.

Democrat Dennis Anderson Sets First Lake County Town Hall Meeting

Dennis Anderson, Democratic candidate for Congress in the new 14th District, will hold his first Town Hall meeting in Lake County on Wednesday, September 5 from 6 to 8 pm at the Energee Center Comedy Club, 349 S. Barrington Road in Wauconda.

Much of northern and western Lake County now lies in the 14th District following reapportionment.  Anderson faces Republican Congressman Randy Hultgren in the November election.

For more information call the Anderson for Congress Crystal Lake office at 815 444-0305.

Harvard’s McGarry Bowl Hosts Dennis Anderson for Congress Fundraiser

Dennis Anderson, Democratic candidate for Congress in the new 14^th District will have a bowling and pizza fundraiser this Saturday, September 1 from 3:30 to 6:30 at McCarry’s Bowl, 5507 S, Highway 14 in Harvard.

Much of McHenry County now lies in the 14^th District following reapportionment.  Anderson faces Republican Congressman Randy Hultgren in the November election.

Tickets are $30, $50 per couple and kids under 17 accompanied by an adult, $8.  Tickets include three games of bowling, shoe rental, pizza and soft drinks.  Tickets may be purchased on line at

https://secure.actblue.com/page/sparethe14th  or at the door.

For more information call the Anderson for Congress Crystal Lake office at  815 444-0305.

Dennis Anderson to Host Town Hall Meeting in Woodstock

Dennis Anderson, a Democratic Party candidate for Congress in the new 14th Congressional District, will host a town hall meeting in Woodstock on Wednesday, August 1 from 6 to 8 PM at the Woodstock Public Library, 414 West Judd Street.

The meeting will cover a variety of issues including the role of the Federal government, the economy, and healthcare.

Town Hall Forums are not a new concept.  They originate in colonial America.   The first meeting of voters occurred in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1633.  Although a New England phenomena, Thomas Jefferson once called them the “wisest invention ever devised by the wit of man for the perfect exercise of government.”

However, town hall meetings have fallen into decline.  In Illinois, Township governments are required to hold one each year to adopt a budget and conduct other business.  In the smallest townships, election of official are still conducted at the meeting, although conventional elections have generally replaced that part of the agenda. 

In recent years they have become a favorite of campaigns.  Elected officials and candidates alike, during election years, hold a series of town halls designed to talk about issues with voters.  In recent years, they have drawn the most extreme elements of both parties, who have seen it as an opportunity to assail members of the political opposition.

The Anderson campaign is hoping to return the Town Hall meeting to a thoughtful discussion of issues between candidate and the voting public and avoiding, if possible, shallow posturing and theatrics.

Sounds like a good idea to me.  Join Dennis tomorrow if you agree.

 For more information regarding the Town hall, or to RSVP, contact the campaign office at (815) 444-0305.  And visit http://www.dennisforcongress.com/

Illinois 14th District Congressional Candidate Dennis Anderson Needs Your Help

Almost all of the nationwide, hell even statewide, attention has been focused on the exciting matchup for Congress between Tea Party poster boy incumbent Representative Joe Walsh and war hero/veteran’s rights star Democrat Tammy Duckworth.  It is certainly an important and compelling race.  And in a district redrawn for her and tons of national money, Duckworth is a favorite to win a bruising battle in November.

But there are other important Congressional races in the Chicago metropolitan area flying under the radar and in danger of withering without significant infusions of cash and volunteers.  These are tough, but winnable races as the public perception of the Republican controlled House of Representatives sinks lower by the day and weak GOP incumbents are forced to run in largely unfamiliar territory.  The recent redistricting saw to that.

Take the race in the new 14th District which makes a giant C through the outer suburbs from a strip along the Wisconsin border in Lake County through portions of McHenry, Kane, Dupage, and Will Counties. It is still so unfamiliar to many voters that they are now sure what district they now find themselves in.  

The incumbent in this race, and I use the phrase loosely, is Randy Hulgren, a first termer and former state legislator who has only a portion of his original district.  Hulgren is every bit as conservative as Walsh, just not so outlandishly loud mouthed about it.  He is also virtually unknown in the northern 2/3rds of the new district.

Anderson is a retired health care administrator in both the public and private sectors who has impressed many with his firm grip on the issues and a serious approach to making the run.  He is not oddball or sacrificial lamb.

Anderson is proving it by working hard to raise money, organize a critical ground game, and establish a public identity.  To prove his seriousness, he is personally working the phones calling active Democrats and party contributors across his district.  Two days ago I received a call on my cell phone and a couple of hours later answered the phone for my employer, another active Democrat only to find Dennis on the line.  I have not seen that level of personal commitment by other Democratic Congressional candidates in what has often been written off as a hopelessly Republican area.

Dennis was calling about a house party and fund raiser this Sunday in Barrington.  I can’t be there.  But maybe you can.  Here are the details from Dennis’s e-mail invite:

Gale Cohen De Marco and Corrine and Wayne Stone cordially invite you to Gale’s home to enjoy an afternoon of conversation and refreshments with guest of honor,   Dennis Anderson Candidate for the 14th Congressional District.  This is an opportunity to get to know the candidate in an informal setting. Please join us and bring a friend.   Sunday, May 20, 2012 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 27621 W. Lakeview Drive North Lakeland Estates Lake Barrington, IL 60084 (Anderson Road/Route 59)   Suggested Donation: $100 per person. Please make checks payable to Dennis Anderson for Congress or contribute online at https://secure.actblue.com/page/cohen-demarco-stone-house-party Please R.S.V.P. no later than May 16th to Gale Cohen De Marco (precinct committeeman) (847) 987-6603 or gcdemarco1@comcast.net Corrine or Wayne Stone (847) 487-1795 or corrstone@sbcglobal.net Questions? Please email info@dennisforcongress.com or call (815) 444-0305.   Paid for by Dennis Anderson for Congress.   Contributions are not tax deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes. Federal law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year. Corporate checks cannot be accepted.