Dear Friends,
First of all, I would like to thank those of you who voted for me. Those two thousand plus Vollmer for Congress votes represent a core of dedicated activists--citizens who care deeply about issues, and who value integrity and independence in government above fundraising prowess. The fact that I spent approximately $ 4000 of my own money on this campaign, rather than raising and spending the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars of my primary opponents meant that I was unable to get my message out through mass mailings and paid television advertisements. But we had the national media spotlight on this race, which meant news coverage and televised candidates' debates on a scale that had not been seen previously with reference to this particular Congressional race. So some of you, the core activists, gleaned the message of the Vollmer for Congress campaign, and I am grateful for every one of these votes. And I believe that this campaign has raised an important issue, in focusing on the inequities of a system of financing of political campaigns, that puts a premium on the ability of candidates to raise huge sums of money in order to win. This primary election illustrates all that is wrong with our current system, and points to the need for radical reform -- the public financing of campaigns ("Clean Money"), and rules requiring the media to give candidates free and low-cost air time.
All that being said, I did not win the primary. Chris Van Hollen won, and, although Chris and I are not 100% in agreement on the issues, and although I have been in some instances critical of certain aspects of his campaign, I will be formally announcing at a press conference later today, along with the other Democratic primary candidates, that I do endorse, and will support, Chris Van Hollen for the 8th Congressional District seat.
Chris is well-qualified, experienced, and a "doer." On most issues that will be coming before Congress: education, the environment, health care, Social Security, and workers' rights, to name a few-- Chris and I have very similar views. Where we have differences, I will try to convince Chris with rational argument, as I work with him to win the 8th Congressional District seat. With the Democrats just a few seats away from controlling the House, it is crucial that we elect a Democrat to this seat. Connie Morella has been a wonderful representative in many respects, but her party affiliation means that if re-elected, she will continue to vote for the Republican leadership, the Republican budget, and with the Republicans on other occasions, when the Bush Administration needs her vote.
I urge my friends and supporters to join me in supporting Chris Van Hollen for the 8th Congressional District seat. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Deborah A. Vollmer