For Immediate Release
July 21, 2010
Congressional Candidate Marleine Bastien Accepts Endorsement Florida New Majority Announces
Candidate Honored to Receive Endorsement from Her Base, Working Families
Contact: Matt De Vlieger, 954.536.7461, matt@votebastien.com
MIAMI, FL— Marleine Bastien, candidate for Congress in District 17, has been awarded the endorsement of the Florida New Majority. After conducting an extensive candidate screening, which culminated with a candidate-screening forum, the organization announced yesterday that their political efforts in the 2010 primary cycle will be dedicated to electing Marleine Bastien as their next congresswoman.
“Our congressional Districts are very important. One of the things we are looking for is how close the candidate is to the community and how they relate to the people,” said Badili Jones, of Florida New Majority. “We are tired of professional politicians and millionaire candidates who lose touch with the community; we need a congressperson who has roots, who will represent us in Washington.”
“After interviewing all of the candidates our endorsement committee made up of members of FNM decided that Marleine is the most viable candidate and most in line with the needs of the community,” said Gihan Perera, Director of FNM. “Marleine Bastien is a fresh face on the political scene, but she brings with her a wealth of experiences, she will be able to blaze a new way of doing politics. That is what we need, we’ve had enough politics as usual.”
Bastien is no stranger to the organization. She has organized with FNM members and participated in their campaigns for workers’ rights, affordable housing, and immigrant rights for years. She is honored by the endorsement and believes that their support comes in harmony with the organization’s mission.
“Florida New Majority has recognized my track record and I appreciate their acknowledgement of my commitment, effectiveness, and political viability. Their support will help bring this campaign to victory, and our community one stride closer to social and economic justice,” said Bastien.
“The crisis we’re seeing in this community today is the result of decades of attacks on working families. Throughout the district, people seem adamant that government does something new to fix the problems choking progress in this area,” said Bastien. “I’m the only candidate in this race who has the ground-level experience to stand up to the challenges we face and who will redirect our resources from foreign wars and bailing out banks to rebuilding our community by investing in schools, healthcare, affordable housing, infrastructure, and job creation.”
Marleine Bastien is available for comments and interviews. She is one of only four congressional candidates in the country to receive a national endorsement from Progressive Democrats of America.
About Marleine Bastien:
Marleine Bastien’s life has been one of service. Born in Haiti, she began volunteering at the age of 8 by teaching adults and children how to read and write and working in her father’s clinic. Bastien began her service in United States 29 years ago, by volunteering at the Haitian Refugee Center just 2 days after arriving in the country. A longtime Haitian-American activist and community organizer, she is the founder and current Executive Director of Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami, Inc/ Haitian Women of Miami and Vice Chair of the Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition. Marleine Bastien is running for Congress in Florida’s District 17, the seat being vacated by Congressman Kendrick Meek.
For more information about Marleine, visit her campaign site at www.VoteBastien.com.
About Florida New Majority:
Florida New Majority (FNM) is a 501©4 organization that organizes, educates, and mobilizes communities in Florida to win equity and fairness throughout the state.
Founded in 2009, FNM overcomes the history of racism and division in the Sunshine State. By building common cause among diverse communities [they] are expanding democracy and developing the leadership of underrepresented communities. [They] are shifting the role of government away from being a pocketbook for corporate interest, to supporting the well-being of all Floridians.
FNM is building a movement for a better, fair and equitable Florida for the benefit of all residents.
For more information about Florida New Majority, visit http://www.flnewmajority.org/.
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