A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM OUR ENDORSED CANDIDATES! 

At Friday's breakfast, our endorsed candidates were asked to give those in attendance their 3-minute stump speeches, and then to answer two questions about their experience with campaigning. The stump speeches were fun and informative! We have not recreated the speeches here in the interest of space and time, but you know you can find information on them and what they are emphasizing in their races by going to their individual campaign websites. The two questions asked were: 1) What are the top three issues facing women in your districts? and 2) What is the best thing you learned from the endorsement process and the most challenging thing you've encountered in your race?  The candidates and their answers are below, in slightly truncated form...

Sue Sgambelluri (District 2). Question 1: Acknowledging that women are not a single-minded block with universal shared concerns, the need for/concerns about parking; expanded public transportation options; increased affordable and workforce housing for families. Question 2: Best thing learned was help with sifting through and figuring best uses for the tons of helpful advice she's getting; Biggest challenge (other than not being able to slightly relax the personal grooming on the weekends) has been how to address conflicting priorities in District 2, since it has neighborhoods at both extremes of the economic spectrum.

Dorothy Granger (District 2). Question 1: Transportation options, including expanded bus service; good paying jobs; education and information on how our local government works because it doesn't seem to make sense to them. Question 2: Best thing learned was how to frame her campaign; Biggest challenge has been her illness with bronchitis for several weeks and convincing herself (as a person more on the introverted end of the spectrum) to get out and campaign, which she really enjoys once she has gotten started.

Miah Michaelson (District 4). Question 1: Acknowledging that the County, not the City, is in charge of schools but that the City can partner with MCCSC on efforts/programs, supporting our public school system and providing access to a good education for all children; downtown safety; continuing strong support for social services. Question 2: Best thing learned was through the interviews--great questions, feedback, coaching on her stump speech; Biggest challenge has been dealing with the highs of "happy campaign days" and the lows of "sad campaign days" (borrowing those terms from Kate Rosenbarger).  She is learning to push on, following Vi Simpson's advice to "make a plan and a calendar and stick with it".

Jean Capler (At Large) (Penny Githens stood in for Jean who couldn't make the breakfast). Question 1: Helping the homeless; providing living wage jobs; good access to child care for working women; expanded transit options. Question 2: Best thing learned was how to develop a campaign plan and organize a campaign committee; Biggest challenge has been trying to reasonably cover the whole city as an at large candidate, and to balance campaigning with her work, which includes significant travel, as well as service on several volunteer boards.

Kate Rosenbarger (District 1). Question 1: Expanded options for getting around in Bloomington and Monroe County; building a safe community, including emergency phones and additional lighting on the B-Line and lights in dark areas of downtown and neighborhoods; providing living wage jobs. Question 2: Best thing learned has been how fun it is to meet so many people and make new connections, and also a tip she was given to create flashcards with issues that come up and her response on the back so she can be prepared to talk about them; Biggest challenge has been ending conversations, which Penny Githens helped her with ("Well, I've taken up enough of your time, thank you, and please vote for me!")

Isabel Piedmont-Smith (District 5). Question 1: Expanded transit and mobility options; addressing climate change; fixing potholes. Question 2: Best thing learned was how to focus her thoughts on issues and her priorities; Biggest challenge has been getting volunteers when there are so many campaigns and other demands on people's time, and learning not to take things personally.

Thank you to these fabulous and energetic women for putting themselves out there and running such well-organized campaigns. We are proud to be able to offer you help along the way!

OUR ENDORSED CANDIDATE EVENTS:

Thursday, April 11, 2019, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Sue Sgambelluri For City Council: Idea Forum and Fundraiser
3328 N. Ramble Road Ct. in Blue Ridge
Join your neighbors and meet Sue Sgambelluri, Candidate for Bloomington City Council District 2. Share your ideas, enjoy a lively discussion, and hear more about her priorities for our city. Hosted by Markus & Stephanie Dickinson. 

Friday, April 12, 2019 - 5:30pm-7:00pm
Meet Kate Rosenbarger!
926 W. 4th Street, Bloomington
Come by to meet Kate, learn more about her, share your ideas and concerns, and support her campaign. They’ll have some refreshments to fuel the discussions. Feel free to bring anyone interested in meeting Kate.

CANDIDATE FORUMS:

Saturday, April 13, 2019 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Mayoral, City Clerk, and City Council At-Large Candidate Forum
Lighthouse Community Church located at 850 E. Winslow Rd.
Hosted by the Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus & the Bloomington Black Strategic Alliance
Questions at the forum will focus on issues facing the Black community and the community at-large. Questions: email [email protected]

Sunday, April 14, 2019 3:00am to 5:00pm
City Council District Candidate Forum
Lighthouse Community Church located at 850 E. Winslow Rd.
Hosted by the Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus & the Bloomington Black Strategic Alliance
Questions at the forum will focus on issues facing the Black community and the community at-large. Questions: email [email protected]

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TRAININGS:

VAN Training for Candidates
Deputy VAN Chair Matthew Metz is offering VAN (Voter Action Network) training to all Bloomington Democratic municipal candidates. If you are a candidate and are interested in meeting with Matthew to receive this training as well, contact him at [email protected] to schedule a time to meet.

The Indiana Democratic Party Municipal Monday Webinar Series:
To view recordings of the webinars go to: https://www.indems.org/webinar-trainings-recordings/
Upcoming Webinar:
April 8 at 6pm. City Government Offices - Portia Bailey-Bernard, Government Services Attorney will explain the different levels and responsibilities of local government within cities and towns. Sign Up Here

Citizen's Academy is ready for applications!
One of the best ways to learn about government, with like minded people and the folks who actually do the work in City Hall. Just the best experience ever!
The 2019 Citizens' Academy class will provide participants with an interactive learning experience about municipal government services, programs and departmental responsibilities. This year's Citizens' Academy session begins Thursday, August 29 and runs through October 24, the classes are from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. You can apply online at https://bloomington.in.gov/citizens-academy or contact Vickie Provine, [email protected] or call 812.349.3505.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Key Endorsements for our DWC Endorsed Candidates: Our endorsed candidates continue to make headway on their campaigns, including by securing key endorsements from individuals and organizations. Please follow the link to our DWC website's candidates page to see the news on our endorsed women! News on each candidate is posted after her bio. Link:  https://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/candidates

Resignation: Amanda Barge has voluntarily resigned her position on the DWC Steering Committee.

DWC's ANNUAL KARAOKE FUNDRAISER IS COMING:  3-5 PM on April 28 at Switchyard Brewing Company. This exciting new venue is dog and kid friendly! Start exercising your vocal chords and polishing up those songs. All candidates and elected officials are invited to participate. If you want to perform or want to help with this fun packed event, email[email protected]

A reminder from the Monroe County Democratic Party:
Primary Election Day and Early Voting Hours:
Voter registration ends Monday, April 8th at noon!  Early Voting is held at Election Central, 401 E. 7th St., and begins on Tuesday, April 9. A full schedule for early voting can be found at http://www.monroedems.org/early_voting. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 7. Vote from 6:00am to 6:00pm at your precinct.

IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO THINK ABOUT WORKING THE POLLS ON MAY 7!
The Monroe County Election Team is looking for people to work as Inspectors, Judges, Clerks and Sheriffs on Election Day. These positions are critical in making elections run smoothly and to help voters have a good experience when filling out their ballots. You can spend a rewarding day helping the people of Bloomington vote and make some money at the same time. Call Election Central at 812-349-2690 to find out more or sign up.

OTHER EVENTS: 

Monday, April 8, 2019 - 6:00pm-8:00pm
Monroe County NOW Film Screening & Discussion: Period. End of Sentence.
Monroe County Public Library Auditorium, 303 E Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington
Join members and friends of Monroe County NOW for a special film screening and discussion as they watch Academy Award-winning documentary Period. End of Sentence. Afterward, they will have an engaging discussion with Sudha Rana who grew up in a neighboring village, Akrauli, in the town of Hapur in India. 
To see a trailer of the film, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KocJP8dG1OA

Thursday, April 11, 2019, 7:45am to 9:00am
Wake Up with United Way - Homelessness in Bloomington
The Mill, 642 N. Madison St.
On April 11th, the topic, "Homelessness in Bloomington,” will be examined by the Rev. Forrest Gilmore of Shalom Community Center, Emily Pike of New Hope for Families, and a member of the community personally impacted by homelessness. Tickets are $10 and will cover the cost of breakfast, with remaining proceeds supporting United Way of Monroe County's efforts to address our community's critical needs today, while reducing those needs tomorrow. More information and tickets can be found here.

Thursday, April 11, 2019, 9:00am to 3:00pm
Hoosier Day Of Action
Indiana Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
Join organizations from across Indiana for a very important final push of Hoosier Days of Action. Volunteers like you will come together at the Statehouse to urge our legislators to stand up for Reproductive Healthcare in Indiana. Once you RSVP, organizers will create a schedule for you to be trained to meet with your local legislators, and afterwards you will be guided in teams to meet with legislators, talk about their own connections to the issues, and learn more about the growing, statewide wave towards more progressive Reproductive Healthcare. Lunch will be provided. RSVP link can be found here. 

Tuesday, April 16, 11:30am
Monroe County Democrats’ Club
DiAngelo’s Restaurant, Eastland Plaza Shopping Center (E. 3rd St.)
Join them for their monthly luncheon. Several candidates for City Council will speak. The public is invited to attend. 

Monday, April 22, 2019 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Film Screening and Panel Discussion: Year Of The Woman
IU Cinema
A special film screening of Year of the Woman on Monday, April 22, from 7:00 to 9:00pm at the IU Cinema! A panel discussion will follow the film.

Saturday, May 11, 2019, 8:00am to 6:00pm
Indiana Democratic Party County Party Summit
Regional Council of Carpenters, 771 Greenwood Springs Dr., Greenwood
Join fellow county party executive members, officials, volunteers and activists for a day of training on how to build a stronger local presence to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot. Lunch will be served.

ACTION ITEM(s):

1. Join us to hand out "Point of Sale" flyers for our endorsed candidates at Election Central on the two Saturdays before the Primary (April 27th and May 4th). Sign up for a 2-hour slot via the DWC Facebook page at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4eaca72ba2fd0-democratic

Don't worry--you'll get some brief training before you go.

3. Call Election Central at 812-349-2690 and sign up to work the polls on election day. We really need poll workers. Those of us who have done it will attest that it is rewarding and illuminating to meet our local voters and a rare privilege to see our election process at work.

BECOME A DWC MEMBER or RENEW your membership! 
The DWC is dedicated to inspiring, recruiting, training, supporting and funding women to increase the number of progressive, pro-choice women in the political arena. We ALL help with this mission, together, collectively. Make sure you have full rights and privileges of membership.
Only $20 for one year’s membership. 
Join online here: https://democraticwomenscaucus.nationbuilder.com/membership

Do you have news items? Send your items of interest to us at [email protected]
Deadline for MMN is noon on Sunday.

Paid for by DWPAC - Democratic Women's Political Action Committee
Democratic Women's Caucus
http://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/