HuffPost's OffTheBus members produced these superdelegate profiles as part of its Superdelegate Investigation. You can find all profiles here.
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Michael Cryor
Chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party
Basic Bio
* Lives with his wife in Baltimore City, MD and has one adult daughter
* Holds Batchelor's Degree and Master's Degree in psychology
* Hosted one of Baltimore's longest running public affairs programs. For nearly ten years he co-hosted WJZ-TV's On Time, a talk show format devoted to in-depth discussion of urban and related issues.
* In the 1980's, Cryor served as an Associate Dean at Morgan State University, as well as an occasional lecturer in the Department of Psychology.
* Heads the Cryor Group, LLC with 30 years of strategic communications experience in both the public and private sectors. As a communications advisor to some of the nation's leading corporations and nonprofit organizations, he specializes in urban policy, health care and technology-based initiatives. Increasingly, his counsel is sought on complex urban initiatives. http://www.mddems.org/ht/display/ReleaseDetails/i/1038561
Political interests and issues
* Current and past affiliations include:
* Co-Chairman of the Baltimore Believe Campaign (BaltimoreBelieve.com, initiated by Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley in 2002 to take action against drug trafficking, drug violence and drug abuse)
* The Hippodrome Foundation (hippodromefoundation.org, a nonprofit foundation that seeks to bring national/Broadway-quality theater performances to Baltimore).
* The Baltimore Community Foundation (www.bcf.org, supporting individuals and groups--a * The Enoch Pratt Free Library (prattlibrary.org, the public library of Baltimore City and the Maryland State Library Resource Center)
* The Constellation Foundation (constellation.org, preserves as a museum the last all-sail warship built by the U.S. Navy)
* The Baltimore Museum of Art, the Afro American Newspapers and Chairman of the Board of the Associate Black Charities of Maryland, and member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Sturdivant & Co., a New Jersey-based financial investment company. http://www.mddems.org/ht/display/ReleaseDetails/i/1038561
* Consultant with clients ranging from AT&T, IBM and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. For a time he represented Magna Entertainment, which has an interest in the Pimlico racetrack and has been at the center of the gambling debate in Maryland. http://www.gazette.net/stories/052507/polinew02247_32420.shtml
Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Currently Chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party (elected June, 2007) http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/06/maryland.php
* Following a term as Special Assistant to former Congressman, Parren J. Mitchell, Mr. Cryor began his association with numerous Democratic Party campaigns and assignments in a number of local, state and national areas, including Deputy Director of the Party Platform Committee during the 1988 Presidential season. http://www.mddems.org/ht/display/ReleaseDetails/i/1038561
* Often the spokesperson in press releases for the Maryland Democratic Party including 7 statements in 2008. http://www.mddems.org/index.php?action=AddSearchTermAction&display=Releases&archive=&savesearch=N&selectedsearch=N&searchstring=Michael+Cryor&searchtype=all
* Among the 50 states, Mr. Cryor is the only African American to head a state party. Washington D.C. and the Virgin Islands also have black Chairpersons.
* (Per phone interview with Mr. Cryor) Just after he was recommended as State Party Chair a political blog focused on his race: " . . .the major driving reason he was picked was because he was black." http://www.marylandpolitics.us/archives/15
Involvement in the 2008 Election
* Hasn't committed to a candidate. http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegates-who-havent-endorsed.html
* His idea about pledged support: "Superdelegates for the most part are elected officials, and they are coming from districts where they have to respond to their voter base," he says. "I don't think people are going to independently be inconsistent with the trend set by the country and by their districts." http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/14/usnews/whispers/main3830363.shtml
* His stance regarding Party Chairs: "While I am not undecided about my choice, I strongly believe that chairs should remain neutral and free to broker compliance from both (Clinton and Obama) camps, pushing back on supporters of either candidate when necessary." http://www.politickermd.com/decided-dem-chair-cyor-won-t-let-himself-endorse
* As above, State Party spokesperson in the media. http://www.mddems.org/index.php?action=AddSearchTermAction&display=Releases&archive=&savesearch=N&selectedsearch=N&searchstring=Michael+Cryor&searchtype=all
* Appeared in YouTube video speaking to an Obama victory party the night of the Maryland primary. http://wbal.com/stories/templates/news.aspx?articleid=1982&zoneid=21
Contributions to Candidates
* State and federal campaign reports show Cryor donated $1,350 to state Sen. Nathaniel J. McFadden (Dist. 45) of Baltimore,
* $1,000 to O'Malley's gubernatorial effort
* $1,000 to Sen. Catherine E. Pugh (Dist. 40) of Baltimore
* $500 to U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (Dist. 7) of Baltimore
* $250 to Kweisi Mfume's U.S. Senate run, $250 to Sen. Ulysses Currie (Dist. 25) of Forestville
* $100 to Baltimore City Councilman Keiffer Mitchell
* $57 to Baltimore State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy. http://www.gazette.net/stories/052507/polinew02247_32420.shtml)
Family's Involvement in Politics, the Democratic Party
* The only family involvement in politics--per Mr. Cryor in a phone call--is that his father occasionally volunteered as a poll judge (checking voter credentials).
Previous Campaign Work and Experience
* Campaign manager, former Congressman Michael Barnes' 1986 U.S. Senate bid.
* Worked on the 1988 presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Cryor noted in draft of article that he was a "key advisor.")
* Deputy Director for the national party's platform committee in 1988.
* Close advisor to Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and had O'Malley's ear during the 2006 gubernatorial campaign. http://www.gazette.net/stories/052507/polinew02247_32420.shtml
Connections to Politicians, Leaders on State Level
* Congressional staff member to former U.S. Rep. Parren J. Mitchell, 1983-'85. http://www.mddems.org/ht/d/ReleaseDetails/i/1035456
* Gov. Martin O'Malley recommended the Baltimore native for the party State Chair position. The Governor and Michael Cryor worked closely together on a number of civic and community initiatives. Cryor co-chaired the Baltimore Believe Campaign during the Governor's seven year tenure as mayor. http://www.mddems.org/ht/display/ReleaseDetails/i/1038561
* As noted in the above section, worked on prominent state individuals' campaigns: former Congressman Michael Barnes, U.S. Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. http://www.gazette.net/stories/052507/polinew02247_32420.shtml
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please send an email to campaigntrail@huffingtonpost.com with "superdelegate profile" in the subject line. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project.
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Janice Griffin
Basic Bio
*Janice Griffin graduated from Northwestern University and currently resides in Silver Spring, Maryland.
http://www.cbcinstitute.org/bio_griffin.htm
*She is President and CEO of Griffin and Associates, a government affairs consulting firm in Washington D.C. Through 1999, she was Vice President of Government Relations for The Prudential Insurance Company of America. She belongs to the board of directors of City First Bank of D.C. and its parent holding company, CF Bank Corporation. According to the website of her consulting firm, she provides lobbying, political strategy, political consulting, and fundraising services. http://jgriffinandassociates.com/services.html
*Her webpage, Griffin and Associates links to a webpage for what appears to be her husband, Keith Griffin's company, Griffin Event Solutions. (There is a White Pages listing for Janice and Keith Griffin, in Silver Spring).
http://www.griffineventsolutions.com/about/index.htm (website has photos of John Edwards)
*Griffin was appointed by President Clinton to the President's Commission on White House Fellowships in 1999 and to the Congressional Award's national board by Senator Tom Daschle in 1996.
http://www.cbcinstitute.org/bio_griffin.htm and http://jgriffinandassociates.com/aboutus.html
Involvement in Democratic Party
*She has been an unpledged delegate since 2000.
http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:ClybVTc0SdUJ:www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/40party/html/demc.html+%22janice+griffin%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=90&gl=us&client=firefox-a
*She is heavily involved with the Congressional Black Caucus: on the board of directors and the board of the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus foundation and secretary of the board and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education & Leadership Institute. She is a member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). In the past, she was national chair of the Women's Leadership Forum.
http://www.cbcinstitute.org/bio_griffin.htm
*She was named as one of presidential candidate John Kerry's "all-star team of African American staffers" in April of 2004. At the time, she was Kerry's senior adviser to the DNC.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55531-2004Apr30.html
*She was a member of the board and secretary for Gore/Lieberman 2000 and volunteered as Director of African American Outreach in October and November of 2002.
*She volunteered as CEO of Vice President Al Gore's PAC, Leadership 02.
http://www.cbcinstitute.org/bio_griffin.htm & http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/gore/goreorg.html
*She was a member of the Democratic National Committee of Maryland in 2004.
http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/griffin.html
*She is on the Governing Board of Directors on Democratic Grassroots Action Institute & Network (GAIN)
http://www.democraticgain.org/advisory_board
*She voted for Howard Dean for DNC Chair in 2005.
http://www.mydd.com/story/2005/2/4/113452/8253
Involvement in 2008 election - campaign appearances, statements
*As of February 6, 2008, she had not pledged her vote to Clinton or Obama.
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080206/BLOGS08/80206014/0/blogs
Contributions to Candidates
*She donated $1000 to Friends of Hillary in March, 2005 and $1250 to Hillary Clinton for Senate in March, 2000.
*$250 to AMERICA'S LEADERSHIP PAC 05/21/2002
*$250 to ANDREWS, ROBERT E VIA ANDREWS FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE 04/03/2006
*$500 to BAYH, EVANVIA EVAN BAYH COMMITTEE 08/08/2000
*$500 to BROWN, CORRINE VIA FRIENDS OF CORRINE BROWN 08/30/2004
*$1000 to CANTWELL, MARIA VIA FRIENDS OF MARIA 06/28/2001
*$1000 to CASTRO, MARTIN R VIA PEOPLE FOR MARTY CASTRO 02/20/2002
*$1000 to CLARK, WESLEY K VIA CLARK FOR PRESIDENT INC. 12/31/2003
*$250 to CLAY, WILLIAM LACY JR VIA CLAY JR. FOR CONGRESS 07/23/1999
*$300 to CLAYTON, EVA MCPHERSON VIA EVA CLAYTON COMMITTEE FOR CONGRESS 03/27/1998
*$1000 to CLINTON, HILLARY RODHAM VIA FRIENDS OF HILLARY 03/14/2005
*CLINTON, HILLARY RODHAM VIA HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON FOR US SENATE COMMITTEE INC
*03/01/2000 500.00
*03/30/2000 500.00
*03/31/2000 250.00
*05/11/2000 250.00
*CLYBURN, JAMES E VIA FRIENDS OF JIM CLYBURN 03/15/2005 500.00
*$500 to CLYBURN, JAMES E VIA FRIENDS OF JIM CLYBURN 10/25/2003
*$500 to CLYBURN, JAMES E VIA FRIENDS OF JIM CLYBURN 11/03/1999
*$1000 to CORZINE, JON S VIA CORZINE 2000 INC 08/01/2000
*$500 to CUMMINGS, ELIJAH VIA CUMMINGS FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE 08/05/2004
*DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE $1000 12/27/2007
*DNC$1000 09/27/2007
*DNC $5000 05/16/2001
*DNC $1000 10/27/2006
*DNC $1000 05/24/2005
*DNC $250 05/18/2004
*DNC $5000 12/31/2003
*DNC $1000 01/20/2000
*DNC $1000 04/30/1999
*DNC $1000 06/30/1999
*DNC $1000 05/21/1998
*DNC $1000 04/14/1997
*$403 to the DNC-Non-Federal Individual on May 3, 1994.*
*$15,000 to the DNC-Nonfederal-Corporate on February 22, 1992.*
*$325 to the DNC-Nonfederal-Corporate on January 22, 1991, and on January 18, 1991.*
*http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=20036&last=GRIFFIN&first=JANICE
*$1000 to FORWARD TOGETHER PAC 12/13/2005 1000.00 26990230735
*$500 to GILLIBRAND, KIRSTEN ELIZABETH MRS.VIA GILLIBRAND FOR CONGRESS 11/18/2005
*$1000 to GORE, AL VIA GORE 2000 INC 01/29/1999
*$1000 to GORE, AL VIA GORE/LIEBERMAN GENERAL ELECTION LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING COMPLIANCE FUND 01/29/1999
(occupation listed as PRUDENTIAL)
*LEADERSHIP '02 (FKA FRIENDS OF ALBERT GORE JR INC) 12/31/2001 5000.00, 03/30/2002 5000.00
*HILLIARD, EARL F VIA HILLIARD FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN 06/14/2002 1000.00, 04/05/2001 500.00
*$500 to HILLIARD, EARL F VIA HILLIARD FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN 07/25/2000
*$500 to HILLIARD, EARL F
*VIA HILLIARD FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN 07/12/1999
*$1000 to JEFFERSON, WILLIAM J. VIA JEFFERSON COMMITTEE, THE 05/30/2001
*$500 to JONES, STEPHANIE TUBBS VIA STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES FOR US CONGRESS 08/15/2002
*$500 to JORDAN, ELEANOR VIA ELEANOR JORDAN FOR CONGRESS 05/09/2000
*$500 to KIND, RON VIA KIND FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE 05/18/2001
*$500 to KNOWLES, TONY VIA TONY KNOWLES FOR US SENATE
*06/30/2004 $500 to LAMPSON, NICHOLAS V VIA LAMPSON FOR CONGRESS 09/30/2004
*$1000 to LEADERSHIP '02 (FKA FRIENDS OF ALBERT GORE JR INC) 05/14/1998
*$1000 to LEADERSHIP '02 (FKA FRIENDS OF ALBERT GORE JR INC) 03/27/1998
*$250 to MEEK, KENDRICK B VIA KENDRICK MEEK CAMPAIGN FOR CONGRESS 06/30/2003
*$250 to MEEKS, GREGORY W VIA MEEKS FOR CONGRESS 07/20/2003
*$250 to MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE 05/19/2000 250.00
*MOORE, GWENDOLYNNE VIA MOORE FOR CONGRESS 07/09/2004 500.0) 06/30/2006 250.00
*$1000 to PAC TO THE FUTURE 06/21/2004
*$250 to PAYNE, DONALD M VIA DON PAYNE FOR CONGRESS 04/29/2004
*$1000 to PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE 10/28/1999
*$1000 to ROSS, MICHAEL AVERY VIA MIKE ROSS FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE 09/30/2000
*$500 to STABENOW, DEBBIE VIA STABENOW FOR US SENATE 06/30/2005
*$500 to STABENOW, DEBBIE VIA STABENOW FOR US SENATE 11/09/1999
*$500 to TAUSCHER, ELLEN O VIA ELLEN TAUSCHER FOR CONGRESS 06/29/2000
*$1000 to THOMPSON, BENNIE G VIA FRIENDS OF BENNIE THOMPSON 10/29/2002
*$500 to THOMPSON, BENNIE G VIA FRIENDS OF BENNIE THOMPSON 05/19/1999
Source: www.sec.gov
Previous Campaign Work
*She was a member of the board and secretary for Gore/Lieberman 2000 and volunteered as Director of African American Outreach in October and November of 2002.
*She was named as one of presidential candidate John Kerry's "all-star team of African American staffers" in April of 2004. At the time, she was Kerry's senior adviser to the DNC.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55531-2004Apr30.html
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.
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Nancy Kopp
Bathesda,Maryland
Basic bio
*Born in Coral Gables, Florida, December 7, 1943
*A graduate of Wellesley College, Treasurer Kopp holds an MA in Government from the University of Chicago. She has also received Honorary Doctorate degrees from Hood College, the University of Maryland at Baltimore, the University of Maryland University College, and Towson University
*Maryland State Treasurer, State of Maryland
Involvement in the Democratic Party.
*Kopp represented the Bethesda, Maryland, area in the Maryland House of Delegates for twenty-seven years prior to her election as Treasurer
Political interests and issues.
*Secretary, Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland. Member, Women's Suburban Democratic Club; League of Women Voters; American Association of University Women (AAUW). Executive Board, Jewish Social Services Agency of Greater Washington, 1991-96. Board of Directors, Leadership Maryland, Inc. Member, National Association of State Treasurers, 2002-. Chair, Northeast State Treasurers, 2004-. Executive Committee, National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers, 2004-. Board of Advisors, College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park. Board of Advisors, Universities at Shady Grove. Outstanding Young Woman of Maryland, 1978. Hillary Clinton supporter
*Quote from Capital News Service 2/23/08
*Even though Kopp and Mikulski are Clinton supporters, they weren't sure what role they would play at the convention in Denver.
*"I think we have to see what the situation is in August," Kopp said. "I'm waiting to see how this whole thing turns out."
*Kopp, like others, remained supportive of Clinton, but said she would back Obama if he wins the nomination.
*"I think Senator Clinton is the best candidate and will be the president, and I'm supporting her," Kopp said. "The most important thing is that the Democrats win the White House and clean up this mess that President Bush has mad
Primary/ General Contibuted To
*Kopp, Nancy K.
BETHESDA, MD
20816 State of Maryland/State Treasurer $500 09/28/2007 P DEMOCRATIC STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF MARYLAND - Democrat
*Kopp, Nancy
BETHESDA, MD
20816 State Of Maryland/State Treasurer $250 06/30/2007 P HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT - Democrat
Do they come from a political family?
*unknown
Have they worked on previous campaigns? Were they a Kerry operative? A Clinton '92 staffer?
*27 years experience in MD State Legislature
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.
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Belkis Leong-Hong
Basic Bio
*Belkis Leong-Hong is a mathematician and computer scientist by training. She received a B.A. degree from Hunter College, an M.P.A. from American University, and an advanced degree from the National and International Security Management School at Harvard University.
http://www.gcn.com/print/21_30/20148-5.html
*She serves as President of Knowledge Advantage, Inc., an information technology consulting firm located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, that focuses on strategic business planning, knowledge management solutions, IT work force issues, and Defense program requirements and analysis.
http://www.gcn.com/print/21_30/20148-5.html & http://www.kaiglobal.com/principal.html
*She worked for the Department of Defense (DOD) from 1981-1999 where she became the top-ranked Asian-American woman in the civil service. She worked for the National Bureau of Standards (now the National Institute of Standards and Technology) from 1984-1995, as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Command Control Communications Computers and Intelligence (C3I) from 1995 to 1999, and as Principal Deputy Director and Chief Information Officer of the Defense Security Service from 1998-1999. Her most recognized achievement there was standardizing data across the department.
http://www.gcn.com/print/21_30/20148-5.html & http://www.dama.org/public/pages/index.cfm?pageid=481
*She was President of Women in Technology and a founder of the Asian American Government Executive Network.
*She received the 1993 Data Management Association Award.
http://www.dama.org/public/pages/index.cfm?pageid=481
Involvement with the Democratic Party
*She is a member of the Democratic National Committee from Maryland in 2004 and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 2004. http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/leonardo-lessler.html#1AP1CXT9H
*She was elected chair of the new Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Caucus of the National Committee (DNC). She headed a million dollar fundraising event for John Kerry in June 2004 and led the first DNC-backed Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) summit in April 2006. http://news.asianweek.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=316e402eb8291535ac8e329b9e9b7910
*She was on the steering committee for the transition team for Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley. http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/html/01tran2006.html
Political Interests and Issues
*She has been involved in the Asian Pacific American community ("APA").
http://news.asianweek.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=316e402eb8291535ac8e329b9e9b7910
Who has she contributed to
Asian-American Action Fund
*$1125 and $2000 on June 24, 2006 and $2000 on May 3, 2007.
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=20878&last=Leong-Hong&first=Belkis .
Democratic Executive Committee of Florida
*$2000 and $2000 to the on October 31, 2004.
http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/
Democratic National Committee Services Corporation/DNC
*$5,000 on September 20, 2007
*$5000 on August 29, 2006
*$790 to on August 10, 2006
*$5,000 on May 31, 2005.
*$5,000 on May 16, 2005.
*$500 on June 27, 2003.
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=20878&last=Leong-Hong&first=Belkis & http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/
DNC-Non-Federal
*She donated $1,000 to (individual) in the primary on November 2, 2000. http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=20878&last=Leong-Hong&first=Belkis .
Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland
*$2,500 to the on October 11, 2007.
*$2,500 on October 11, 2007
*$2500 on January 4, 2006
*$2500 on July 7, 2005
*$2500 on September 21, 2004. http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=20878&last=Leong+Hong&first=Belkis
Friends of Hillary (Senator Hillary Clinton)
*$1,000 in the primary on May 25, 2005. http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=20878&last=Leong-Hong&first=Belkis & http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/
Friends of Mazie Hirono (Hirono is a Congresswoman from Hawaii)
*$2,000 on September 30, 2007. http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/belkis-leong-hong.asp?cycle=08& http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/
Kerry Victory 2004 (John Kerry)
*$5,000 in the primary on June 14, 2004. http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=20878&last=Leong-Hong&first=Belkis & http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/
Mike Honda for Congress (Rep. Mike Honda)
*$500 to on April 10, 2002 http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=20878&last=Leong-Hong&first=Belkis & http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/
New America Fund
*$1,173 on January 29, 2005. http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=20878&last=Leong-Hong&first=Belkis & http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/
New Vision America Fund
*$2,000 to the on September 27, 2006. http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=20878&last=Leong-Hong&first=Belkis & http://query.nictusa.com/cgi
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.
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Heather Mizeur
Maryland
Basic Bio
*Born 12/6/72, Blue Mound Illinois (Population 1,100)
*Parents - Dale & Doris Mizeur
*Sister - Niki age 27 (married with 2 children)
*Partner - Deborah Mizeur (formerly Veres) http://www.heathermizeur.com
*She and her partner, Deborah Renay, exchanged vows in 2005 and want to have their commitment recognized by the state as marriage.
http://www.examiner.com/a-1187060~The_3_minute_interview__Heather_Mizeur.html
*Heather is the product of a public school education. She was the valedictorian of her high school class and worked as a farm laborer in cornfields each summer to save money for college. The recipient of several nationally-acclaimed academic scholarships, Heather Mizeur attended the University of Illinois and studied political science and English literature before a United States Congresswoman recruited her into a career of public service.
Involvement in the Democratic Party
*Maryland Director 2004 Kerry-Edwards Campaign
*Maryland Democratic National Committeewoman
*Takoma Park City Councilmember 2003-2005
*U.S. Senator John F. Kerry - Domestic Policy Director
*Mont. Co. Latino Health Initiative - Technical Advisor
*Long Branch Athletic Association - Board of Directors
Personal political interests and issues
*Heather Mizeur's earliest political memories involve the labor movement that her father served as a welder and lifelong member of the United Auto Workers (UAW). She learned lessons on the importance of conviction when she joined her father in picketing unfair labor practices, visiting local union halls, and coping with life on strike pay.
*As a private citizen, Heather used her skills and knowledge to write and gain approval of a creative plan to win new federal funding for a health center in Takoma-Langley Crossroads.
*On the Takoma Park City Council, Heather spearheaded successful efforts to:
· return trash cans to our parks
· repair and upgrade our playgrounds
· secure funding to fix damaged roads
· improve public safety and traffic calming measures
*She also helped the Montgomery County Latino Health Initiative to secure assurances from a local hospital that it would mentor, train, and pay a living wage with benefits to at least fifteen Latino nurses that graduate from the Health Initiative's program.
*Heather believes deeply in the importance of accurately counting every vote. That's why, while on the Takoma Park City Council, she voted to use paper ballots to conduct the city's 2005 municipal election.
*And as the Maryland State Director for the Kerry-Edwards campaign, Heather implemented an aggressive state-wide voter protection program that trained and deployed over 1,300 volunteer lawyers to on election day.
*Same Sex Marriage-
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2006/02/candidate_alleges_cowardice.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/04/AR2007060402103.html
Involvement in 2008 election - campaign appearances, statements
Contributions to Candidates
Family's Involvement in Politics, the Democratic Party
Previous Campaign Work
*Today, U.S. Senator John F. Kerry relies on Heather's good judgment, policy expertise, and reputation as an effective coalition builder on Capitol Hill. As one of his top advisors, Heather was the principal architect of Kerry's agenda for health care reform during the 2004 presidential campaign. She was also chosen to be his campaign director for the state of Maryland.
*Heather also served as a member of the Takoma Park City Council, where she was known for her pragmatic leadership and attention to constituent services. In 2005, Maryland Democrats elected Heather Mizeur to be their representative to the Democratic National Committee.
*Heather spent five years sharing her health policy expertise with non-profit community health centers for low-income, minority, migrant, and homeless people across the country. She has dedicated her career to finding creative ways to expand quality, affordable health care to all. She trained advocateon the best ways to implement State Child Health Insurance Programs, helped State governments develop plans to implement that local vision, and rallied support in Congress for a plan to double the federal investment in care for the uninsured.
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.
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Gregory Pecoraro
Maryland
Basic Bio
Information in this section comes from his official bio.
*Greg Pecoraro is a government affairs executive with AOPA, the world's largest aviation association.
*Greg Pecoraro was re-elected to the Council on May 14, 2007, after his appointment in 2005 to fill the vacancy created by the election of Thomas Ferguson as Mayor.
*Greg serves as Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Community Affairs, Vice Chair of the Finance Committee, and Co-Chair of the Special Committee on Growth and Annexation. He is also one of the City's representatives to the Carroll County Council of Governments, and the City's liaison to the Carroll County Arts Coucil. His current term will expire in 2009.
*Previously, Greg served on the City Council from 1994 to 2003. As a member of the Council, Greg has an extensive background in public service at every level. He has served as an Assistant Secretary in the Maryland Department of Transportation; Chief of Staff to the Baltimore County Executive, and as an assistant to U.S.
*Greg lives in the Cliveden Reach neighborhood with his wife and daughter.
*Before joining AOPA, Pecoraro was vice president of a Washington-based government affairs and business development firm where he assisted client companies with a variety of legislative, regulatory, and procurement-related projects targeted to state and local governments. Prior to that he served as an assistant to the county executive of Baltimore County, Md., where he focused on economic development issues.
Involvement in Democratic Party
*He has represented Maryland on the DNC since 1996.
*He has been active in Democratic politics since high school as a Young Democrat, a county chair, and state party executive director.
*Pecoraro is a member of the City Council in Westminster MD and was a presidential elector in 2000.
*He has served as Assistant Secretary of Transportation under Governor Parris Glendening; Chief of Staff to Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, and as an assistant to former U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes and Maryland State Treasurer Lucille Maurer.
Involvement in 2008 election - campaign appearances, statements
*Will remain neutral until May -- approximately -- out of fairness.
Previous Campaign Work
*Gregory Pecoraro of Westminster has been a member of the State Central Committee since 1982 and active in Democratic politics since high school.
*He ran the statewide Democratic coordinated campaign in 1992.
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.
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Karren Pope-Onwukwe
Hyattsville, Maryland
Basic Bio
*Born on Oct. 17, 1952, at Fort Benning, GA, Karren Pope-Onwukwe earned her BS, BA and JD degrees from the University of Maryland (BS, paralegal studies), Eastern Kentucky University (BA, history) ; and Georgetown University; (JD). http://www.gazette.net/stories/080106/prinele170507_31906.shtml
*She is an attorney, specializing in Elder Law, and she owns a private practice d.b.a. The Law Office of Karren Pope-Onwukwe, LLC http://www.kpopeatty.com/673.html
Involvement in the Democratic Party
*Member, Secretary of Emeritus, Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee, DNC
*Trustee board member, Reid Temple AME Church
*Co-chair, founder, Elder Law Section, Prince George's County Bar Assn.
*Elder Law Section Council, Md. State Bar Assn.
*Chair, Prince George's County Aging Advisory Comm., MSBA Special Comm. on Minorities in the Legal Profession
*President, Prince George's County Women's Bar Association.
*Vice chair of Women's Bar Association of Prince George's County 2006-present
*Treasurer for the Prince George's Democratic Central Committee 2003-2004, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24792-2004Sep15.html
Personal Political Interests And Issues
*In 2006, she was an unsuccessful primary candidate for Delegate to the Maryland State House, District 22 - Maryland State House, District 22 - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/elections/2006/maryland/Maryland_State_House_District_22.html
*In 2004, she made an unsuccessful primary bid for the 2nd District County Council Seat, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24792-2004Sep15.html
*In 2001, she made an unsuccessful bid for Hyattsville City Council - Ward 1, http://www.hyattsville.org/2001/election2001info.html
*NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, financial contributor 2006
Connections To Politicians, Leaders On State Level
*Pope-Onwukwe has endorsed and committed her vote to Sen. Barack Obama. http://www.baltimoresun2.com/talk/showthread.php?t=135345,http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/karren/CBL4,
*She is also a member of the Maryland Women for Obama Steering Committee. http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/karren/CBL4,
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.
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Michael Steed
DNC at-large representative
State: Maryland
Basic Bio
* Married to Carol Steed and they have three sons, Christopher (24), Jeremy (21) and Tyler (16). http://www.securitygrowthconference.com/speakers_2006.html
* A founder and Managing Partner of Paladin Capital Group http://www.paladincapgroup.com/portal/index.php
* Paladin Capital group is a leading multi-stage private equity firm providing capital for growing companies whose principal business centers on products and services that address homeland security issues and needs.
* Serves as Chairman of the Paladin Homeland Security Fund Investment Committee and
* Serves as Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Fund; is also a member of the Paladin Capital Partners Fund Investment Committee. Mr. Steed provides management oversight of the firm's operations and investments, and is responsible for the strategic direction of Paladin's current and future activities.
* Prior to founding Paladin Capital, served as the Senior Vice President of Investments at Ullico Inc. a financial services holding company located in Washington, DC http://www.paladincapgroup.com/portal/index.php
* Steed's investment strategy involved purchase of Global Crossing Stock, the success of which led to a 2002 insider trading scandal at Ullico resulting in a Senate Investigation. http://www.nlpc.org/pdfs/ULLICO%20Report.pdf
* From 1985 to 1992, Steed was President and Chief Executive Office of AFIC Group Limited, an investment banking firm with emphasis on domestic and international transactions in the areas of venture capital, real estate and stocks and bonds, with state, local, union and corporate pension funds as investors. http://www.securitygrowthconference.com/speakers_2006.html
* From 1981 to 1985, Steed served as Special Counsel to the Chairman and as the National Director of the Democratic Party of the United States of Americahttp://www.securitygrowthconference.com/speakers_2006.html
* Engaged in the practice of law, both as a prosecutor in the Los Angeles' City Attorney's Office and in private practice. http://www.securitygrowthconference.com/speakers_2006.html
* Is a 1971 graduate of Loyola Marymount University (LMU) of Los Angeleshttp://www.lmu.edu/Page115.aspx
* Received law degree from Loyola University School of Law in 1973. http://www.lmu.edu/Page115.aspx
Political interests and issues
* Recipient of 2005 National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) Ellis Island Medal of Honor http://www.neco.org/medalist.htm
* Member, Bullis School Board of Trustees (2001-2006) http://www.bullis.org/documents/development/BullisStrategicPlan.pdf
* Loyola Marymount University Board of Trustees http://www.lmu.edu
* member of the Board of Visitors for Duke University's Sanford Institute of Public Policy http://www.securitygrowthconference.com/speakers_2006.html
* founding board member of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).http://www.ndi.org/index.asp
* NDI is chaired by Madeleine Albright
* NDI is a nonprofit organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. Calling on a global network of volunteer experts, NDI provides practical assistance to civic and political leaders advancing democratic values, practices and institutions. NDI works with democrats in every region of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and to promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.
Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Steed served as executive director of the DNC under Chairman Chuck Manatt from 1981 to 1985.
* Quoted in Time in 1983 re: a woman veep: "The party is ready for it," says D.N.C. Director Steed. "What's more, the country is ready for it." http://www.time.com/time/magazine/printout/0,8816,952187,00.html
* Quoted in Time in 1984 re: Jesse Jackson repudiating Louis Farrakhan: "There is a God," said the party's national director, Steed. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/printout/0,8816,950072,00.html
* Current Member of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee http://www.tbo.com/news/politics/MGBRVGVOO5F.html
* Nominated by Howard Dean for the Credentials Committee for the 2008 Democratic National Convention http://www.demconvention.com/assets/mainassets/standingcommittees.pdf
Pledged Status
* Pledged to Hillary Clinton (Clinton claims 150 major state backers 2/7/8 ) http://www.politickermd.com/clinton-claims-150-major-state-backers-906
Involvement in the 2008 Election
* Member Montgomery County MD Hillary Clinton Organization http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/clinton/clintonorgmd.html
Contributions
*
$4600 to Hillary Clinton
* Carol (wife) also donated $4600 to HRC
* Jeremy (son) also donated $4000 to HRC
Previous Campaign Work and Experience
*
DNC National Director during Mondale '84 campaign
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please send an email to campaigntrail@huffingtonpost.com with "superdelegate profile" in the subject line. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project.
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Basic Bio
*Susan Turnbull was born in Cleveland, OH in 1952 and currently lives in Bethesda, MD.
http://www.zabasearch.com/query1_zaba.php?sname=Susan%20Turnbull&state=MD&ref=&se=&doby=&city=&name_style=1, http://www.jwmag.org/site/c.fhLOK0PGLsF/b.2447235/k.9CA4/Susan_Turnbull.htm
*She has a B.S. degree in Community Services from Univesity of Cincinnati.
*She has an M.S. degree in Urban Studies from the University of Maryland.
*She also has a B.A. degree in Interior Design from Marymount University.
*She is a Principal of an interior space planning business.
Involvement in the Democratic Party
*She has been a member of the DNC since her election from the State of Maryland in 1992.
*She served on the DNC Executive Committee from 1997 - 2003.
*She was appointed Deputy Chair of the DNC in the fall of 2003.
*In 2006 she was elected Chair of the DNC Women's Caucus.
*From 2002-2004 she served as National Chair of the Women's Leadership Forum.
*She was elected Vice Chair of the DNC in February 2005.
*She is a frequent Democratic Party spokesperson on national cable television and talk radio programs such as FOX News Channel and MSNBC.
*In 2000 she was a platform speaker at the Democratic National Convention.
*She has campaigned for the Democratic Party and its candidates at functions in 35 states and the District of Columbia, and with Democrats Abroad. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Turnbull
Political interests and issues
*In addition to serving as a liaison to the Jewish community, Turnbull also invests considerable energy in shattering the remaining glass ceiling that exists for women in politics.
*With an eye toward the future, Turnbull is considering running for Congress. http://www.jwmag.org/site/c.fhLOK0PGLsF/b.2447235/k.9CA4/Susan_Turnbull.htm
*In 2005 she became a Bi-Partisan Leadership Advisor to Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-136779026.html
*Frequently converses on topics ranging from health care to DNC chair Howard Dean's position on Israel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Turnbull, http://www.democrats.org/a/party/turnbull.html
*She provided professional Services for Hillel International Center in Washington, DC, Winnick Center at Syracuse University, Brooklyn College Hillel in New York as well as design services for the Jewish Social Service Agency of Metropolitan Washington. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Turnbull
How she has been involved in the 2008 election
*Ms. Turnbull takes seriously the party bylaws that demand that she essentially remain a neutral referee throughout the primary process.
She has made political contributions to
*DNC - $1,000
*Dem. Senatorial Campaign Committee - $1,000
*Dem. Central Committee of MD - $500
*Dem. Congressional Committee of MD - $1,000
*Montgomery County Dem. Central Committee - $300
*Van Hollen for Congress - $500
*Victory Now PAC - $500
*Emily's List - $1,000 http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/susan-turnbull.asp?cycle=08
Family political background
*Her family was not involved in politics. Her father drove a cab, her mother worked in a department store. http://www.jwmag.org/site/c.fhLOK0PGLsF/b.2447235/k.9CA4/Susan_Turnbull.htm
Prominent state candidates has she supported
*She has supported Senator Howard Metzenbaum.
*She served as Senior Advisor to Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand.
*She has been a grants Advisor to Congressmen Brad Ellsworth and Nick Lampson since the spring of 2007.
*Ms. Turnbull hosted a fundraiser for Montgomery County Delegate Bill Frick at their Bethesda home 12/9/07, chosen by the Montgomery Democratic Central Committee in September to fill the aging Marilyn Goldwater's term.
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.