ActBlue Now Active for State Races in New York

ActBlue is pleased to announce that we're now active for state races in New York.  You can now contribute to Democrats running in state elections through ActBlue.  Better yet, set up your own page and start fundraising!

Everyone here at ActBlue is very excited about this development.  To mark the occasion we'll be livebloging on The Albany Project tonight, 1/31/08 starting at 7PM.  Political Director Erin Hill, Deputy Political Director Nate Thames, and Netroots Coordinator Melissa Ryan will be on hand to answer you questions.

To learn more about this exciting development here's our press release:

ACTBLUE GOES LIVE IN NEW YORK STATE

CAMBRIDGE, MA, JANUARY 31, 2008? ActBlue, the online platform that allows Democrats to raise funds for the candidates of their choice, is now active in New York State. With the launch, ActBlue puts a new tool into the hands of Democrats across the state, allowing them for the first time to support not only federal candidates but statewide candidates, party committees and Democrats running for State Senate and State Assembly.

State party co-chairman David Pollak heralded ActBlue's arrival in New York today.  "ActBlue has proven to be an invaluable resource for Democratic candidates across the country," says Pollak. "By adding functionality for state legislative candidates, ActBlue will play a critical role in helping Democrats at the grassroots level get involved in the effort to take back the New York State Senate."

Beyond party activity, the entry of ActBlue into New York will make it possible for individuals in New York State to start mobilizing friends and colleagues in support of Democratic candidates at all levels.  Much as in Virginia, where a broad coalition of activists and bloggers joined hands through ActBlue with Governor Kaine and the state party to take back the Virginia Senate for the first time in a decade, ActBlue will facilitate cooperation between New York Democratic institutions and communities of Democrats from upstate to Manhattan.

"This is something that those of us focused on state level races in New York have been wanting for at least two years, and we are beyond excited that this day has finally come," says Phillip Anderson, editor-in-chief of the Albany Project, a prominent blog devoted to Democratic victories in New York State. "I think that we may look back on this day a year from now and see this as a real game-changing event in the effort to take our state government back."

ActBlue has enabled individuals and groups across the country to raise more than $36 million for Democratic candidates and committees since 2004. More important, says executive director Jonathan Zucker, ActBlue has built a new kind of infrastructure capable not only of raising untapped millions at unprecedented speed but also of mobilizing support for Democrats in the closest races. "Building infrastructure is the most important thing we can be doing as a party," says Zucker. "We ran wheezing behind Republicans for years when it came to infrastructure, but ActBlue's $36 million is proof positive that we're not only catching up but on course to win."  Zucker is expecting ActBlue's funding total to top $100 million this cycle.

ActBlue will be live blogging from their headquarters tonight from 7 to 8 at the Albany Project, online at http://thealbanyproject.com.

Comments

[Nathanael Nerode]

Well, to get the ball rolling....
http://actblue.com/page/nysenatechallengers

Work in progress, but so far you can donate to Aubertine and Barber. (Who are the only two NY State Senate candidates you can actually donate to so far.)

[Ernestine Crossland]

I think if we elect Barack Obama for president the world will be a better place to live, work and raise a family, its really time for a change. I truly like the sound of President Barack Obama.

A forever supporter
Ernestine Crossland