Since deciding to run, I have been astounded at the outpouring of support and assistance from volunteers around the 103rd Assembly District. I owe many of you a great deal for the help you have provided throughout the last week.

However, due to the shortened time frame I am facing, we are very concerned that we will not be able to reach the required number of signatures to get on the ballot.

I am running in this race because I believe that the promise of a better future belongs to everyone in the 103rd Assembly District, not just a few special interests in Albany.

I am running because I see the crushing economic burden faced by too many of our citizens, because I see our seniors and young people leaving the state, our farms and small businesses closing down, and when I see these problems, I know that I owe it to my children, and the rest of the Hudson Valley, to strive for a better, more sustainable future for our region and our state.  I want to work with the people of my district to support economic growth by creating incentives for new kinds of businesses to come in, especially those that sustain the environment.  We can work together to make the Hudson Valley green and prosperous, a place that our children will want to raise their children.

We have worked on many of the same causes over the years, and I look forward to fighting side by side with you into November and beyond. However, right now, until Wednesday night, I need your help. We need to make one last effort to push the signature count over the legal threshold.

As a nation, state and individual communities, this is our year to step back from the old ways of doing business and start down the path to stronger, more vibrant communities, and greater opportunities for all Americans.    We must once again become that shining example of real freedom from want and fear, we must come together and chart a different course for this new century.  There is a brighter future that awaits us, if we are willing to work together for it.

I will be out petitioning until Wednesday night at 9 PM, and I ask that you do the same. The County HQ will be open until 10 PM to drop off petitions so that we can submit them Thursday morning, and there will also be a location in Red Hook.

If you need walk lists or petitions, call Pat Kelly at 845-325-2659.

With my sincere thanks,
Anne Rubin

Thanks to everyone who showed up Saturday at Gian Bruno’s in Hopewell. There was a quite a turnout and we couldn’t have done it without you. It was great to see  Congressman John Hall come out and support our local candidates. Joan Posner kicked off the event and Ken Dow reminded us all that Dutchess County isn’t as Republican as it used to be.

Next to speak was Anne Rubin, Candidate for the 103rd. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting her, she will be at our August meeting to speak  and take questions. Anne is quite passionate about fairness and transparency in government.

Congressman Hall spoke last to acknowlege local candidates and his support for them. The congressman thanked us all for our help in his efforts in Congress and said he was glad to pitch in on the final push for our local candidates.

The congressman also spoke about the importance of supporting Senator Obama in his bid for the presidency. He said, as we knew, that he had been a Clinton supporter. However, he said, it is time to rally around Senator Obama. Democrats who are leaning toward McCain—or who are thinking of not voting—are failing to consider the possibility of 100 years in Iraq and, also important, that the next president will likely fill two Supreme Court Seats.

All the candidates answered questions and mingled for a little while. Then the petitions were divied up, routes handed out and we were off!

Thanks again to all who helped out!

The Dutchess County Democratic Committee has included petitions for Joan Posner for County Family Court Judge. There are also petitions for John Hall and Ken Dow. Petitions may also be available for other candidates.

NOTE: Any person can carry a petition for any person they desire. The packets we will hand out are prepared by the County Committee and contain petitions for endorsed candidates only.

We also have a limited supply of hand-out material for some candidates. You may take what you think you will need.

Packets include instructions for filling out the petitions and mailing information for returning them.

I will be at the East Fishkill Community Library (site of our usual meetings) on Monday, June 2, from 5-7 p.m. so you can pick up your packets. If you are not a member of our committee but still wish to carry petitions for candidates, please come on down! PLEASE COME INTO THE LIBRARY. WE WILL NOT BE IN THE MEETING ROOM.

Also, on Wednesday, June 11, the night of our usual committee meeting, we will hold a caucus beginning at 6 p.m. Please bring a license or other form of photo identification.

ONLY REGISTERED DEMOCRATS CAN BE ADMITTED.

The purpose of the caucus is to select and nominate various candidates for the General Election on Nov. 4, 2008, and to transact other business that needs to be dealt with before the regular meeting.