Updates

Statement on the Passing of Former Washington Governor Booth Gardner

Phil Gardner — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:15:28 -0400

Olympia, Washington – Congressman Denny Heck has released the following statement on the passing of former Washington Governor Booth Gardner. The Congressman served as Chief of Staff during Governor Gardner’s second term (1989-1993).

“Booth Gardner will be remembered for many things. He will be remembered for his impish sense of humor and never-failing common touch. He will be remembered as the original turnaround expert for a then-troubled Pierce County government. He will be remembered as a governor who guided an historic amount of progress while never tooting his own horn.

Mostly though, he will be remembered as a leader whose natural style of civility, respectfulness and collaboration served our state very well. We could certainly use more Booth Gardners today. And I will forever remember Booth Gardner as my boss, mentor and the dearest of friends.”

###

URGENT: Violence Against Women

Phil Gardner — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:03:32 -0500

Friends,

I've got some bad news: Congress has let the Violence Against Women Act expire. What's more, Speaker Boehner is refusing to let the House of Representatives vote to reauthorize it!

I strongly support reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. Last week I signed on as a co-sponsor of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, a new bill which would reauthorize the expired act as well as expand it to protect Native American women, college students, and members of the LGBT community. President Obama and a bipartisan majority in the Senate also support this legislation. In fact, the Senate will likely pass the reauthorization act this month, setting off new momentum for this legislation

Despite the bipartisan support for this legislation, Speaker Boehner is still refusing to let the U.S. House vote to reauthorize it. We can do much, much better.

We need to act swiftly to make Speaker Boehner put the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act up for a vote.

Please click here now to co-sign my letter demanding Speaker Boehner schedule a vote on this important bill. Please forward this letter to your family and friends so we can spread the word and build momentum for this cause.

The Violence Against Women Act was an effective, bipartisan law that helped protect women from domestic abusers, stalkers and rapists. We can't let Congressional gridlock get in the way of this needed bill.

Thank you for your continued support and activism,

Denny Heck

Statement on Pierce County Ballot Error

Phil Gardner — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 01:00:41 -0400

Olympia, Washington – This evening our campaign became aware of a printing error affecting ballots in two Pierce County precincts located in the 10th Congressional District. All 1,422 voters in these two precincts - 29-623 (South Tacoma) and 29-663 (Parkland/Spanaway) - inadvertently received ballots containing the 6th Congressional District election instead of the 10th Congressional District election.

The Pierce County Auditor has sent replacement ballots to these voters and has mailed a letter explaining the situation. We appreciate the Auditor's quick response to attempt to resolve this issue. We will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that all voters are able to cast the correct ballot and to ensure that all voters are aware of why they have received two ballots.

Beyond the steps taken by the Pierce County Auditor, our campaign will conduct additional outreach to these two precincts to make sure voters are aware the first ballot they received is incorrect and to make sure they cast the second and correct ballot they will receive. Our campaign is committed to making sure every voter who wishes to participate in this election casts the correct ballot.

Denny Heck Endorsed by League of Conservation Voters Action Fund

Phil Gardner — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:27:19 -0400

Olympia, Washington – Denny Heck is the only candidate running in Washington’s 10^th Congressional District who recognizes the threat climate change poses to our planet. That’s why one of the nation’s leading environmental groups, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, is endorsing Denny Heck today.

“The LCV Action Fund is proud to endorse Denny Heck for Congress because he will fight climate change and industrial pollution with investments in clean energy that create sustainable jobs in Washington,” said LCV Action Fund President Gene Karpinski.

“Whether incentivizing energy efficiency in homes and businesses or cleaning up the Puget Sound for generations to come, Denny Heck has a concrete plan that will protect Washington’s environment and promote a thriving regional economy,” Karpinski continued.

“Denny Heck shares important environmental values with voters in the 10th District. He understands that a strong economy and healthy environmental go hand-in-hand, and will work to protect what makes Washington such a special place to live. We enthusiastically support LCV Action Fund’s endorsement of Denny Heck for Congress," added Brendon Cechovic, Executive Director of Washington Conservation Voters.

Denny Heck, 60, is an entrepreneur, former State Representative and co-founder of TVW, a statewide public affairs TV channel in Washington State. Denny attended and graduated from The Evergreen State College in 1973 and has lived in Olympia for the past 26 years with his wife Paula and their two children, Bob and Trey. Denny and Paula, a retired middle school principal, have been married 36 years.

###

The Olympian endorses Denny Heck

Phil Gardner — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 15:19:49 -0400

This morning Denny received the endorsement of The Olympian, the second-largest newspaper in the 10th Congressional District. You can read the full endorsement online by clicking here.

A few notable quotes from the endorsement:

“Heck the clear choice for 10th Congressional District”

“Heck’s broad experience has inspired an evenhanded and comprehensive campaign platform”

“On every account, Heck offers voters a more thoughtful, independent choice”

“Heck is the best representative of the voice South Sounders want in the other Washington.”

30 days to go - let's Give Congress Heck!

The Impact of the Romney-Ryan Budget on the South Sound

Phil Gardner — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 20:18:18 -0400

Denny Heck supports a balanced budget that helps create Washington jobs, keeps the American Dream alive, and strengthens the American middle class and those working to get into it. Unfortunately, the proposed Romney-Ryan budget does the opposite. The Romney-Ryan budget makes drastic cuts that would make life harder for South Sound families:

View The Impact of the Romney-Ryan Budget on the South Sound in a larger map

Tens of thousands of seniors in the South Sound rely on Medicare for their healthcare needs. The 2011 Ryan Budget proposes ending Medicare as we know it and replacing it with a voucher system. This would increase annual healthcare costs for Washington seniors by an average of $6,400.
- Source: Kaiser Family Foundation and the Congressional Budget Office

Tens of thousands of veterans and military family members live in the 10^thCongressional District around Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The Romney-Ryan Budget would reduce planned support for them by $200 billion over the next decade. That could mean lower quality healthcare from the VA and fewer educational and job opportunities for veterans.
- Source: Comparison of Paul Ryan’s FY 2013 Budget with the OMB FY 2013 Budget

Nearly 300,000 children nationwide could lose their school lunch subsidies under the Romney-Ryan Budget. 62% of Clover Park School District students and 60% of Tacoma School District students are approved for free or reduced lunches. The proposed cuts could leave a good portion of those students hungry during the school day.
- Source: New York Times, 5/7/2012 and the OSPI’s Washington State Report Card

More than 100,000 Washington students attend UW, WSU, Pacific Lutheran, Evergreen and other colleges and universities with the help of Pell Grants. The Romney-Ryan Budget cuts more than $150 billion dollars from Pell Grant funding over the next decade. That would mean fewer South Sound students attending college and more student debt for those that do.
- Source: The Education Trust

The Romney-Ryan Budget makes deep cuts to spending on transportation and infrastructure projects. That means an even longer wait on getting the needed I-5 congestion improvements built. The cuts from the Romney-Ryan Budget could result in more than 4000 Washington job losses in a single year
- Source: Washington State Department of Transportation

Cuts to K-12 funding under Title 1 could lead to hundreds of Washington teachers or other school staff being laid off by the end of 2014. Tens of thousands of Washington students could face reduced or eliminated education opportunities.
- Source: NEA Analysis of Title 1 Cuts

The Romney-Ryan Budget not only extends the Bush tax cuts but also gives millionaires another massive tax break. At the same time, it cuts or eliminates many tax deductions that middle class families utilize like those for charitable giving, mortgage interests and health premiums.
- Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Statement on Governor Mitt Romney’s Acceptance Speech from Denny Heck

Phil Gardner — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:06:28 -0400

Olympia, Washington – “Why should women have any less say than men about the great decisions facing our nation?” – Mitt Romney, Republican National Convention Acceptance Speech. 8/30/12.

“Mr. Romney, you’re right. Women shouldn’t have any less say—Nor should they have any less say about the important decisions they face in gaining access to healthcare and control over their own bodies. Unfortunately, your rhetoric tonight doesn’t match your party’s actions.

Instead of trying to enact policies that would help create jobs, the Tea Party Congress has been focused on limiting women’s healthcare and defunding Planned Parenthood. Just days ago the Republican convention passed a platform to completely outlaw a woman’s right to choose, even in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother.

Voters should remember this November: the Tea Party Congress, and its party’s new leader Mitt Romney, is not focused on jobs. It’s focused on taking women’s healthcare backwards.

My focus, if elected to Congress, will be growing and strengthening the American middle class and those working to get into it. I know what Congress needs to do to help the private sector create jobs because I’ve started businesses myself. And when it comes to women’s healthcare, I trust women to make the best healthcare decisions for themselves and their families without politicians getting in the way.”

Heck is running in the newly created 10^th Congressional District. The 10^th is a Democratic district that gave President Obama 58% of the major party vote in 2008.

###

It's Time - Return Your Ballot by August 7th

Phil Gardner — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 15:45:38 -0400

Be a voter this summer and stand up for your values. Lots of people are supporting Denny, but we'll only advance to November if everyone returns their ballots by August 7th.

Below is a map of the more than 40 ballot drop boxes you can return your ballot at before August 7th at 8:00 PM. You may also return your ballot by putting a first class stamp on it and postmarking it by August 7th. Share this page with your friends so they know how to return their ballots as well!

IMPORTANT: You must return your ballot to a drop box in the county you are registered to vote in. You cannot return your ballot to a drop box in a different county. All ballot drop boxes close at 8:00 PM on August 7th.

View 10th Congressional District Ballot Drop Boxes in a larger map

Denny Heck Receives the Sole Endorsement of The Seattle Times

Phil Gardner — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:48:35 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Olympia, Washington – Denny Heck received the endorsement of The Seattle Times this morning. Unlike in some of the races contested in Washington’s August 7^th top-two primary, the paper did not endorse a candidate from each party and instead chose to only endorse Heck.

Key excerpts from the endorsement include:

“Denny Heck is the superior choice among the candidates vying to become Washington's first representative from the newly formed 10th Congressional District.”
“The Olympia Democrat possesses an impressive level of public- and private-sector experience.”
“Heck offers the best bipartisan, thoughtful approach for the state's new congressional district.”

The full endorsement can be found online at the following link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2018718883_edit19cong10.html

Heck is running in the newly created 10^th Congressional District. The 10^th is a Democratic district that gave President Obama 58% of the major party vote in 2008.

Denny Heck, 59, is an entrepreneur, former State Representative and co-founder of TVW, a statewide public affairs TV channel in Washington State. Denny attended and graduated from The Evergreen State College in 1973 and has lived in Olympia for the past 26 years with his wife Paula and their two children, Bob and Trey. Denny and Paula, a retired middle school principal, have been married 36 years.

###

RELEASE: More than 2,600 Donors Ready to Give Congress Heck

Phil Gardner — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:53:40 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lakewood, Washington – 2,635 donors have contributed to support Denny Heck’s campaign to represent Washington’s new 10^th Congressional District. Heck raised $310,000 in the second quarter of 2012. Nearly 90% of individual donors to the campaign live in Washington State.

“We’re in a great position heading into the August 7^th primary election. We’ve hired five field organizers, opened two offices, and personally reached out to more than 35,000 voters in the district over the phone or at their doors. Denny’s focus on strengthening the American middle class and those working to get into it is really resonating with voters,” Campaign Manager Hart Edmonson said.

Heck is running in the newly created 10^th Congressional District. The 10^th is a Democratic district that gave President Obama 58% of the major party vote in 2008.

###