FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 18, 2010

Contact:
Amy Novick, Executive Director
(202) 293-3123
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IMMIGRANTS’ LIST ADDS TO ITS
2010 HOUSE CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS Pro-immigrant PAC backs two challengers and eight freshmen House members

(Washington)—Immigrants’ List, a bipartisan political action committee dedicated to electing members of Congress who support common-sense immigration reform, announced today its endorsement of 10 candidates who are running in some of this election year’s most competitive House races. The two challengers and eight freshmen House members join the list of eleven House incumbents already endorsed by the organization.

“These candidates understand that immigrants make essential contributions to our country and that our failed immigration system is in dire need of fair and meaningful reform,” said Amy Novick, executive director of Immigrants’ List. “Our freshman candidates are running in some of the most competitive races – races that by definition tend to be most vulnerable – and need our support.” 

The 2010 congressional candidates endorsed by Immigrants’ List are:

* Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao (LA-02), who fled Vietnam at age 8, was elected to Congress in 2008. Cao, an immigration attorney, has worked as an advocate for refugees and co-sponsored the American Dream Act (H.R. 1751), which would help children of undocumented workers attend college.

* Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11) faces a challenge from his 2008 opponent, Keith Fimian, who backs an enforcement-only approach to immigration. As chairman of the Fairfax (Va.) County board of supervisors, Connolly successfully opposed legislative measures passed by neighboring counties to crack down on illegal immigration.

* Raj Goyle (KS-04), who defeated a three-term Kansas state legislator in 2006, is vying for this open congressional seat. Goyle worked on post-9/11 immigration issues as a staff attorney at the ACLU of Maryland before returning home to Kansas to run for office.

* Bill Hedrick (CA-44) is seeking a rematch of his 2008 race against a nine-term congressman who backs an enforcement-only approach to immigration. Hedrick, who supports a path to citizenship for undocumented working immigrants, narrowly lost his bid for the seat despite being outspent by more than $1 million.

* Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04) defeated an 11-term incumbent in 2008. Six challengers are vying for the opportunity to take back this seat from Himes, who has called U.S. immigration policy “dysfunctional and shameful.” 

* Rep. Betsy Markey (CO-04) defeated a three-term incumbent in 2008. Some high-profile challengers who support an enforcement-only approach to immigration have already announced their candidacies for this race.

* Rep. Scott Murphy (NY-20) won this seat by only 726 votes in the March 2009 special election that followed Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand’s appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Murphy has said that the nation’s visa and immigration systems are broken.

* Rep. Tom Perriello (VA-05) defeated a six-term congressman by 745 votes in 2008. Seven candidates are vying to challenge Perriello, who helped found two nonprofit organizations that promote human rights and social justice.

* Rep. Harry Teague (NM-02), who was elected in 2008, faces a challenge from the congressman who formerly held this seat. Teague favors a comprehensive path to citizenship and plans to work toward a more efficient system that allows for an increased number of legal immigrants.

* Rep. Dina Titus (NV-03), a former college professor who taught government for 30 years, defeated a three-term congressman in 2008. While Titus is seen as a supporter of comprehensive immigration reform, her opponent favors an enforcement-only approach.

“Our goal is to prove to candidates and members of Congress that supporting immigration reform will help them win elections. Immigration reform is not only good policy, it’s good politics,” says Novick.

Along with conducting its own review of candidates, Immigrants’ List solicited candidate nominations from its approximately 20,000 members. The organization already endorsed the 2010 re-election bids of freshmen members Rep. Eric Massa (NY-29), and Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05). In previous election cycles, Immigrants’ List endorsed Rep. Howard Berman (CA-28), Rep. John Conyers (MI-14), Rep. Jeff Flake (AZ-06), Rep. Martin Heinrich (NM-01), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-16), Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23), Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Rep. Niki Tsongas (MA-05), and Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-35).

“Congress must pass comprehensive immigration reform this year,” Novick said. “Many of our members see how our country’s broken immigration system affects hard-working families every day. They are committed to bringing about comprehensive immigration reform that is based on fundamental fairness, justice and respect for due process of law.”

Immigrants’ List is the leading bi-partisan political action committee dedicated to electing members of Congress who support fair and meaningful immigration reform and to defeating those who use fear and misinformation to promote an anti-immigrant agenda. Immigrants’ List believes that immigration is a fundamental part of not only America’s heritage, but also its growth, prosperity, and social, economic and political life. Immigrants’ List supports an immigration system that will unite families, promote fair employment practices and restore America’s status as a country that welcomes those who seek freedom from persecution and a better way of life.

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