Vote Lou Agre on May 18th!

Well, with the primary season in full swing, I decided to focus on a heated local race to my area (Philadelphia, Pa). This race is for the Democratic nomination for State Representative of the 194th District. Which covers the Manayunk-Roxborough neighborhoods along with Wissahickon, East Falls, Wynnefield Heights, and West Parkside in Philadelphia County. The District also includes Bala Cynwyd, Bellmont Hills, Lower Merion, Merion, and part of Merion Station in Montgomery County. So, on top of the fact that this is a very heated race with five candidates running for the same nomination, it's a very diverse district, with people from all walks of life. Just like the district is full of people from all walks of life, the candidates in the race are as well.

Now, I want to focus on one of the candidates though, Lou Agre. I met Lou for the first time about two weeks ago at his campaign office located at 6210 Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia. Prior to stopping in I did a bit research into the candidates and Lou is the only one that I felt really shared my views on the issues. After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Industrial and Labor Relations and later Temple Law School, he began to help those who had no one to fight for them. Lou has been a constant advocate for working families throughout our country, from organizing textile mills in the south to running his own law practice protecting worker's rights. Currently Lou is and has been for several years now an Organizer and Legal counsel for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 542 here in the Philadelphia area, and continues to fight for working families.

Throughout all of this, Lou has been a champion of the Manayunk-Roxborough area, from helping in securing $800,000 in federal highway funds for streetscape projects, to most recently $20,000 dollars for the 21st Ward Athletic Association. Lou brings people together for the common good of the community. Lou has been on the 21st Ward Democratic Committee for many years, being elected Ward Leader 8 years ago. These are positions that are not paid positions within the party, Lou has taken countless hours of his own time to help his neighbors and the community at large.

After researching the candidates and concluding that Lou was getting my vote, I decided to stop up at the campaign office to get a yard sign to show my support. I'm certainly glad I did, it gave me a chance to meet Lou face to face and talk for a bit about the community and certain issues my neighbors and I were concerned about on our block. The meeting lasted a half hour to forty five minutes and Lou was happy to answer any question I had on my mind. I feel that Lou is one of those people who really care about his community and isn't running for himself, but for the good of the District.

These are many of the reasons why I'm voting for Lou Agre on May 18th, 2010, but I'm not the only one that knows he's the best man for the job. His endorsements say it all, most of the Labor Organizations in the city are backing him. Also, many prominent local leaders here in Philadelphia, Congressman Chaka Fattah, Congressman Bob Brady, Councilman Curtis Jones Jr, and District Attorney Seth Williams just to name a few. For more information about Lou Agre I recommend visiting his website at louagreforstaterep.com and you can see for yourself why Lou deserves your vote on May 18th.