AWD Congressional campaign update!!!!

[AWD]

So, here's the latest on my campaign for US House Of Representatives, for those of you wondering.

My petition to appear on the ballot is complete, and I've now filed officially. They haven't yet verified all the signatures, but I only need 50 valid ones, so I'm in. I went to all my friends and fellow peace activists, so I'm certain that all the signatures are good.

As far as the Board Of Elections are concerned, I have nothing left to do but wait for the primaries.

My campaign is a different story. I have an appointment later today to open up an account at my credit union. Once that is complete, I will assign a PayPal account to it so online contributions can be made. Also, I will have a P.O. Box by the end of the day for anybody who wishes to donate through regular mail (I had a few people ask about that).

Today, I begin building my web page (unless anybody out there wants to contribute by helping me build a kick-butt website???).

I'm looking for the perfect URL too. I wanted to use jeff4congress.com (borrowing a page from Vince4Congress.com, a fellow DUers significant other who is running), but that is registered from the 2002 elections and doesn't expire until June next year. Maybe I'll write the guy and ask him to give it up???

I'll post a generic version of the website in the next day or two so people can donate early if they like (I got a LOT of people from here asking for a place to donate....again, thank you).

Tonight, my campaign manager and a few close friends will meet at my house to discuss strategy and a few key items. If anybody wishes to offer up ideas, feel free to do so. A LOT of you were extremely helpful right off the bat (goobergunch's research is going to go a LONG way), so keep it up.

My e-mail icon does work, so you can send directly to me there, or PM me if you like. I'll now be able to answer everybody who writes to me, so go right ahead!

DUers are the best. I'll do my best to see that we are represented!

[AWD]

1. self-serving KICK

[never cry wolf]

2. and backatcha!!

:kick:

[SoCalDem]

3. How about jeff04congress???

is that one taken??

[SoCalDem]

4. or sendjeff2congress.com

:)

[AWD]

5. Good ideas...

...and available

[eyesroll]

6. Does your campaign have an EIN?

An employer-identification number ... we couldn't get an account without one. (It was easy to get, but Vince's treasurer did his for him so I don't know how.)

Congratulations on filing!
We can't circulate petitions until next June, per WI election rules, so we won't have anything on file with the state until then. (The FEC is another story -- we need to file with them once we hit $5,000...)

[AWD]

7. No

I asked about any possible complications. They mentioned EIN, and a few other items.

I'm already a member of this credit union, so they are granting me a saparate account based on that. No EIN necessary, but they have to alert the Federal Government of an active political campaign account in their bank. No big deal, just a formality.

They told me that if I didn't want to do it that way, I could just open a branch account of my existing checking account. But I don't want the personal account tied to the campaign account in any way.

[AWD]

8. Oh, the FEC

Yeah, THAT'S gonna be a pain....is it 5 grand? My campaign manager has that info and is coming over tonight. he'll clue me in.

[eyesroll]

9. 5 grand within 10 days is what the fundraising guy said...

but, yes, that's going to be a pain.

I'm thinking we should just file ASAP and get it over with...

[AWD]

10. Campaign bank account created!

We'll be ready to accept donations tomorrow!