Last week I filed my papers at the DC Board of Elections and Ethics to run for re-election for U.S. “Shadow” Representative in the District of Columbia. Hats off the the very efficient team at the DCBOEE, they got everyone registered and ready to go in short order.

Not sure if anyone is going to challenge me yet, but I’m going to run like someone is regardless.

The biggest challenge last time, and this time, is getting the required signatures to get on the September 9th primary ballot. Because this is a city wide office, I need to get 2,000 signatures from registered Democrats in the District…and that’s just the minimum. I really need about 3,000-4,000 signatures to make sure I can survive any challenges to my petitions. It didn’t happen last time, but you can’t take anything for granted.

If anyone wants to help me get some signatures, even if it’s only a few, please give me a holler at mike(at)mikepanetta.com.

See you out on the streets!!

The star of NBC’s Heroes Hayden Panettiere and U.S. “Shadow” Senator encourage DC taxpayers to “think inside the box” and support the DC Statehood Delegation Fund via their District of Columbia tax filings this year.You can see the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8dR7rqrEGA

Apparently she starting lobbying Strauss about the need to save the whales, and he was supportive but reminded her that he couldn’t vote. So she agreed to do this. She’s my hero!

If you don’t live in DC, but still want to help you can donate to the Free and Equal DC Fund here: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/18798

I just got the news this morning that true fighter for DC voting rights, and for all progressive causes, Mike Shor, died of a heart attack in New Mexico over the weekend. Mike was a really great person and I wish we all had more time with him. I’ll always the remember the encouragement he gave me (and the rest of the group I was leading) last summer during our Hill visits to lobby for the DC Voting Rights Act. He was full of sound advise, delivered in his unique soft-spoken approach. Each of our lobby visits were stronger because of this…and that’s just one of dozens of stories about his impact that we’ll hear more of in the coming days.

One of the great things about the role I play as Shadow Representative is that I’ve meet so many wonderful people I otherwise would have not had the opportunity to get to know. Mike was definitely one of those people. We’re all better after knowing a guy like Mike — he’ll be sorely missed.

Below is some more information from Kesh Ladduwahetty, of DC for Democracy:

Our dear friend and colleague, Mike Shor, died of a heart attack this weekend in Taos, New Mexico. He was struck down in full stride. When I last spoke with Mike about a week ago, he was having a whale of a time skiing and enjoying fine southwestern cuisine. It’s very, very hard to imagine he’s gone.

There is no replacing Mike. I first met him in 2004, when he was training Howard Dean supporters on door-to-door canvassing for the DC primary. After DC for Democracy was founded in 2005, Mike became my closest comrade in grassroots politics, as well as my very dear friend. His stature in our small community of grassroots activists is difficult to exaggerate. A founding member of DC for Dean, DC for Democracy, and most recently, DC for Obama, he thought on a grand level, and he backed up those big ideas with tactical brilliance and unequalled stamina. His passing leaves a void that will be felt for a very long time.

No one of us can do justice to Mike’s memory; we will have to pool our efforts. Our meetup this Wednesday, April 2nd will be the first opportunity for many of us who knew and loved Mike to meet since his passing. We will accordingly devote the latter part of the meetup to a collective remembrance. As usual, we will meet in the back room of Ben’s Chili Bowl at 1213 U Street. Please note that the meetup will start at 7:30PM, a little later than usual. Our main topic of discussion at the meetup will be our plans for the presidential primary campaign (more on that very soon).

If you would like to make a suggestion regarding our meetup, please email us at dcfordemocracy@gmail.com

If you would like to send a card or gift to Mike’s family, please mail to the following address:

Mike Shor c/o Susan Clampitt
13 9th Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003

A memorial service for Mike is expected sometime in May, and we will let you know the details as they emerge. And rest assured, we will remain in close touch with Irmgard Hunt, Mike’s longtime partner, to give her the help and support that she needs in this difficult time.

Sincerely,
Kesh Ladduwahetty
Chair

In case you haven’t heard yet, the U.S. Mint rejected the designs submitted by Mayor Fenty for the DC Quarter.

It’s frustrating that the U.S. Mint would outright reject the designs submitted by Mayor Fenty. If New Hampshire can have the slogan “Live Free or Die” on their quarter, I don’t see why the District can’t have “Taxation Without Representation”. Both slogans and ideals were fundamental in the founding of this nation — even if the promise of the latter is still being fought for in the District.

I’m glad we submitted those designs - the more opportunities to talk about this issue on a national scale, the better. Mayor submits designs, U.S. Mint rejects them, Mayor gets to tell everybody why, more people understand our situation in DC. Lather, rinse, repeat…the more times we can run through that cycle, the better!

What do you think?

Contact: Mike Panetta
(202) 253-6534
mike@mikepanetta.com

(WASHINGTON, DC February 11, 2008): Mike Panetta, the elected U.S. “Shadow” Representative for the District of Columbia, today announced his endorsement of Barack Obama for President.

“The torch has been passed to Senator Obama as the vanguard of a new generation of leadership, and I know he’ll use that torch to light the fires of democracy here in the District of Columbia,” said Representative Panetta. “It’s clear to me that Senator Obama can bring hope to our nation, and hope to those fighting for full citizenship right here in America’s capital.”

“If we are serious about permanently ending our ‘taxation without representation’ situation we will need a leader in the White House who can bring together Democrats, Republicans, and Independents,” Panetta added. “Barack Obama possesses both the passion and pragmatism to make it happen.”

“With Barack Obama in the White House, we’ll have a president who will tirelessly work to ensure that his new neighbors are given the same voting rights in Congress that other American citizens enjoy. I encourage all District voters to join me on Tuesday in supporting Barack Obama in his campaign to become the next president of the United States.”

About Mike Panetta

Mike Panetta was elected to the District-wide position of Statehood Representative in the District of Columbia in November 2006. The office is commonly referred to as the U.S. “Shadow” Representative and should not be confused with the position of Delegate to the House of Representatives currently held by Eleanor Holmes Norton. The office has traditionally served as advocate for DC statehood and full congressional voting rights.