Democrats 2000 Announced Recommended List

Democrats 2000 Pushes for Support of Young Democrats Running in Key Campaigns
Organization Releases Annual 'Recommended List,' Direct Mail Piece to Encourage Young Voters to Get to the Polls on November 7

Jamesburg, NJ -In the final two-week homestretch of Election Season 2006, Democrats 2000, the state/s largest network of professional democrats under age 40, released its annual "Recommended List" to highlight younger generation candidates seeking election at all levels of New Jersey government.
Steve Lenox, president of Democrats 2000, said this year's "Recommended List" focused on a stellar group of individuals who bring a wide-range of qualifications and perspectives to their respective campaigns.

"We are encouraged to see talented younger candidates jumping into the political process with both feet," Lenox said. "It is now our responsibility to help support these candidates in the homestretch of their campaigns."

Each year, Democrats 2000 selects a group of Democratic candidates under age 40 running for office at the federal, state, county and local level, and asks members to contribute to at least two of these candidates directly. Placement on the "Recommended List" offers candidates access to New Jersey's largest network of young professional democrats while raising crucial dollars for their campaigns. Potential voters can also lean more about these candidates by visiting the organization's newly redesigned website at www.Democrats2000.com. Many successful one-time "Recommended" candidates continue to seek higher elected office.

"To be included on a statewide list with so many other progressive-minded young democrats is truly an honor. As an unknown council candidate in 2003, I was named to the 'Recommended List' and it proved to be a tremendous help to my success that year. As a mayoral candidate in 2006 running against an incumbent republican, I am especially grateful to have the backing once again of Democrats 2000," said Dominick Stampone, 35, running for mayor of Haledon.

The 2006 "Recommended List" is not a complete roster of young candidates, nor does it reflect all of the candidates that Democrats 2000 is supporting this election season. Given the large number of candidates this year, Democrats 2000 is asking its members and young democratic voters to focus on five high-profile campaigns.

Along with Stampone, Democrats 2000 is focusing its efforts on the campaigns of Daniel Reiman, 30, seeking re-election as mayor of Carteret; Tracey Riley, 38, council candidate in Mouth Laurel; Tahesha Way, 34, seeking a full-term on the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders; and Dana Wefer, 24, second-time Morris County freeholder candidate.

"Grassroots organizations such as Democrats 2000 are key for all of our campaigns that are depending on new voters to become active this election day," commented Riley. "I am excited to have the support of Democrats 2000 and look forward to having the support of the up-and-coming generation of democratic advocates as an elected official."

Democrats 2000 also has increased its efforts to communicate directly with younger generation candidates this year to encourage high turn-out at the polls. The organization will be sending more than 45,000 direct mail pieces to voters between the ages of 25 and 38 who they believe are likely to turn out at the polls on Election Day.

"Throughout this campaign we have seen a buzz among younger voters," commented Lenox. "Our generation of voters is ready for change and Democrats 2000 is committed to making sure that our voices are heard on Election Day. The voters we are targeting are too often left out of the campaign strategies of candidates running at the highest levels, we are going to make sure that doesn't happen anymore."

For more information about Democrats 2000 and access to the campaigns of "Recommended List" candidates, please visit the organization’s newly updated website: www.democrats2000.com