Christine Jennings for FL-13

Background:

For the past 24 years, I have lived and worked in Sarasota and have been actively involved in our community. Coming from modest beginnings, I started my career as a bank teller and tenaciously worked my way up the banking ladder over my forty year career. At a time when women executives were rare, I earned the respect and appreciation of my peers and eventually founded and ran Sarasota Bank as the President/CEO.

Throughout my time in Sarasota, I have served with great pride on various boards and local organizations. These leadership commitments range from financial associations, to healthcare networks such as the Mental Health Association of Sarasota County, to community service organizations like Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Some highlights include:
• Founder and President/CEO/Chair of Sarasota Bank
• Director, Florida Bankers Association
• President, Mental Health Association of Sarasota County
• Director, Community AIDS Network
• Executive Committee Member, United Way, Manatee County
• Director, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Sarasota County
• Honoree, National Council of Jewish Women
• Honoree, United Negro College Fund
• Graduate of Leadership Manatee
• President and Board member, Downtown Association of Sarasota
• Chair and Trustee, the John and Mable Ringling Museum Board of Trustees
• President and Board member, Sarasota Film Festival
• President and Board member, Sarasota Ballet of Florida
• Director, Florida West Coast Symphony

Goals:

I am running for office because I firmly believe that our representatives in Congress have forgotten that their job is to fight for the people’s interests and not be swayed by corporate greed and the special interests. In my family, we were taught that no matter how little you have, you help people however you can. I will go to Congress to remind our representatives of what matters to Florida families- our needs, our children’s needs, our future’s needs.

As a community leader, banker, Congressional candidate, and voting reformer, I have continually stood up for what is right. I spent forty years as a banker helping people achieve their needs and their dreams. In Congress, I will continue this effort and work hard to help everyday citizens achieve the “American Dream.” As the next member of Congress, I will work to correct the failings of our current representative- to get our troops out of Iraq, to reclaim our economy and institute smart fiscal responsibility, and to ensure that every child who needs healthcare gets treated. These are the everyday values we believe in and the everyday respect that citizens deserve.

Issues:

1. The Iraq War- It is time that we brought our young men and women home from this conflict. My opponent, while serving as the area representative, stated that this war was “Mission Impossible.” How can we have people serving in Congress who write blank checks for causes even they don’t believe in?
2. The Economy- We have seen the current leadership in Washington take this country to a level of debt we have never seen in our history. The Republican Party can no longer claim to be the party of fiscal responsibility. As a result of their fiscal irresponsibility our economy is suffering and we must work diligently to put our country back on track for economic recovery.
3. Healthcare- Healthcare is a disgrace in our country. We have 47 million people with no healthcare coverage and 6 to 8 million of this number are children. Medical expenses are the number one reason for bankruptcies. Healthcare will not be addressed until the Democrats are in complete control to make the necessary changes.

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots organizing will be critical to the success of my campaign. My opponent is well funded- both personally and through his party affiliation. I am certain that he will go to any length to maintain his seat. However, he and I both know that I can run a successful campaign. Beyond the “airwaves war,” the race will come down to talking to voters - precinct by precinct - and getting our message out to them as often as possible. This type of operation is heavily dependent on a grassroots “army” of supporters. I feel confident that we will put a strong, smart organization together and win this seat in 2008.

DFA Values:

As a banker, I understand the idea of a balanced budget and I understand the need for smart investments. At the same time, I am acutely aware of the precious freedoms that we cherish as a society- inalienable rights such as a woman’s right to choose, conservation and environmental protection, and personal privacy. I am against all forms of discrimination. Additionally, we need accountability. I can speak from experience that we need fair elections and we need campaign finance reform. I want to take a lead on both of these issues when elected.

Fiscally, we have seen the current leadership in Washington sink this country into an unprecedented level of debt. The Democratic Party must become the party of fiscal responsibility, one who will look out for our tax dollars and make practical and productive investments for America’s future.