Thank you!!
To all those who worked on, contributed to, and supported my campaign.
I could never have done this without each and every one of you.
Particular thanks go to Daniel Tamm for bringing this campaign together – providing the creative ideas, training the organizers and maintaining the energy throughout. The campaign’s success is due to his efforts.
Cindy Faith was the energetic source generating all the electronic communications.
I owe the website to Bryce Kobrin, for developing and maintaining it with everything else he had going on this year.
Mia Bortolussi was the gifted talent creating all the graphics and printed materials.
Harrison Homel and Andre Ross were the major volunteer organizers and were the backbone of the campaign. Much of the campaign’s success is a direct result of their leadership and hard work.
Betsy Connolly, Michelle Kobrin, Peg DeRose, Teri Smolarski and Sophia Fischer all oversaw various aspects of the campaign, including numerous details that I couldn’t keep track of. Their support has kept me going. I'd also like to thank Shelley Berman for his special voter outreach and thank you Ganelle and Lindsay for your conscientious and consistent efforts in contacting voters.
But, most especially, thank you to each one of you who contributed in the varied and myriad ways that make a political campaign possible and keep it going. From writing letters to phone banking to providing funds, I couldn’t have done it without you. I am truly grateful for what each person did and the effort that she or he gave. Together we have done a great thing!
Thank you.
Marie Panec
Here’s What They’re Saying About Marie Panec
Assembly Member Julia Brownley: "As a fellow school board member, Marie's experience, courage, and longtime commitment to the educational needs of our communities have served our constituents well. Her leadership will also serve us well in Congress."
Former Senator Sheila Kuehl: "Marie Panec is simply the most courageous and qualified candidate in the Democratic primary election for Congress in the 24th district. There is no substitute for the proven governance experience gained by Marie during her two terms as an elected member of the Oak Park Unified School District Board of Education. She has found a way to balance budgets while developing and sustaining innovative solutions for maintaining high standards of education.
“As a respected professor of biology, Marie understands and is passionate about environmental sustainability, as well as the economic potential of biotech, to create jobs in our region. Marie Panec has great integrity and will provide the 24th district with honest and responsive representation. I wholeheartedly support Marie Panec for Congress."
Malinda Markowitz RN, co-president of California Nurses Association: “We are impressed with Marie Panec’s depth of experience and devoted service to the community. It sets her apart. She’s got true character and compassion. Marie is a public servant whose focus on creating opportunities is unrelenting.
“We share Marie’s values based vision of treating healthcare as a right and making it available to all. We trust her commitment to education, health,, labor, environmental sustainability and women's issues. We believe that Marie will do an excellent job in representing California’s 24th District.”
Carmen Ramirez, former Director of Community Planning of CAUSE: "Marie Panec is a dedicated community leader with proven experience as a two term, elected member of a local school board and college professor with a strong reputation for integrity. Marie has a practical vision of creating opportunities for meaningful jobs, environmental sustainability and education. I trust Marie to be a real representative in Congress for the people who live, work and raise families in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.”
The Acorn Newspaper Editorial, May 28, 2010: “The Acorn believes Oak Park’s Marie Panec is best qualified and best positioned to give Gallegly a serious run. Panec is not just any hometown favorite. Recent endorsements...indicate a growing belief among Democrats that Panec’s leadership experience and knowledge of the issues will make her a viable party force come November.
Panec already has proven to be an effective leader on the Oak Park School Board. Her understanding of the issues facing children and classrooms would be a welcome change in our nation’s capital.
As a professor of biology at Moorpark College, Dr. Panec puts her educational skills to work daily. She understands the need for environmental sustainability and the importance of developing jobs in the field of biotechnology.
We urge Democrats to make Panec their choice.”
Aris Anagnos, Executive Vice President of Southern California Americans for Democratic Action: “With Marie Panec, the voters in the 24th district have that rare opportunity to vote for a candidate who walks the walk of genuine service to the public. We trust Marie because her life’s work springs from her core democratic values of justice, equality for all, and devotion to the common good. Marie Panec will be a wonderful Representative to the U.S. Congress.”
Lulu Florez, President of National Women’s Political Caucus: "Marie Panec is courageous, compassionate and qualified, with a deep, abiding commitment to creating opportunity - whether it is for meaningful work (with equal pay), restoring world-class public education, or, environmental sustainability,"
Gabino Aguirre, Santa Paula Councilmember and Chair of Community Action of Ventura County: "It is common sense to endorse someone like Marie Panec to serve in Congress. She will work hard to create jobs and educational opportunities for the people of our district. Marie is passionate about environmental sustainability and is as dedicated to serving the community as anyone I know."
Roseann Mikos, Moorpark Mayor Pro Tem: “Having personally worked with Marie, at Moorpark College in science/technology program development; and, as a board member at Community Action of Ventura County, I know that Marie understands the link between ALL education and jobs and that vocational education is just as important as academic education. Marie knows our district and has demonstrated a genuine commitment to public service. I'm happy to endorse her.”
Dr. Alfred G. Buchanan, Clinical Microbiologist, Professor of Microbiology: Marie Panec is a gifted scientist with a passion for doing what is right to make all of our lives better. She is sensitive to cultural issues and diversity, embraces and respects all. Her career as an educator is stellar. Her interest in biotechnology indicates a rarity in present politics- a scientist with a heart who understands how important technology is in bettering our lives, a dedicated scientist who could very well have simply settled for her rewarding career as a respected professor. Marie Panec will make this country, this area, this state a better place to live, work, and enjoy. I enthusiastically support Marie Panec's nomination.
Dr. Neumann, Professor of Community Health Sciences and Professor of Pediatrics, UCLA School of Public Health and School of Medicine: “Dr. Panec is on the cutting edge of practical solutions for tackling serious threats to health and well-being, particularly of young children and senior citizens.
“Dr. Panec is the only candidate who has the knowledge, experience, and expertise to initiate and guide legislation to benefit her constituents in the areas of health, education and environmental sustainability.”
Betsy Connolly, Conejo Valley Unified School District Board of Education: We need to start sending the right kind of people to Washington or nothing is ever going to change. Marie is that right kind of person. Her experience, as an elected school board member, college science professor, Peace Corps volunteer, and wife and mother says it all. She has been giving her time and talent to our communities for more than 20 years. She sees our issues, cares about our problems and knows how to craft legislation that will help, not hurt, here at home. Approval ratings for Congress are in the low teens and incumbent Elton Gallegly is a poster child for what’s wrong. Send a qualified representative to Congress!
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