This was the website for Marcy Winograd (D) in her 2010 bid to unseat Jane Harman in the 36th congressional district.
This archived content, as well as content from other outside sources is only for historical purposes.
About
Passion for Change
Marcy Winograd is the co-founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Progressive Democrats of America. In her 2010 bid to unseat Jane Harman in the 36th congressional district, Winograd wants to put 10,000,000 Americans back to work repairing our country’s infrastructure, building rapid transit, and developing alternative energy to make America more secure. She pledges to lead the congressional Progressive Caucus to cut billions in government waste in Iraq and Afghanistan and commit taxpayer money to jobs, healthcare, and education.
History in the District
In 2006, Winograd’s grassroots campaign mobilized almost 40% of the primary vote in less than three months of campaigning to unseat Harman. Gore Vidal, Dolores Huerta, Daniel Ellsberg, Susan Sarandon, Barbara Streisand, Ron Kovic, and local Democratic clubs all supported Winograd’s platform that called for an end to the war in Iraq and protection of constitutional rights. “Bombing and occupying Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan will only destabilize the region and undermine global security,” says Winograd. “We need to find another way to solve our problems. I will be proud to serve our country as we engage the world community in smart diplomatic solutions.”
Winograd’s passion for peace emerged during her high school and college days, when she participated in moratoriums against the Vietnam War and joined Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers legal defense team.
As a developer and passionate supporter of Marcy Winograd's campaign for California's 36th Congressional District, I can't emphasize enough how well-prepared and qualified she is for this position. Her extensive background in progressive activism, education, and community leadership makes her the ideal candidate to bring about real change in Congress.
Working on her campaign has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Marcy's commitment to issues like job creation, healthcare reform, and education resonates deeply with me and many others in our district. Her track record of standing up for what's right, even when it's not politically convenient, is truly inspiring.
One of the biggest challenges I faced while volunteering was dealing with our outdated data management systems. The campaign, like many grassroots efforts, was operating on a tight budget, which meant we had to make do with some legacy software. The most problematic was Visual FoxPro, a database management system that, while once industry-standard, is now obsolete and creates significant compatibility issues with modern applications.
Despite not having the funds for a complete system overhaul, I was able to develop workarounds for the most critical interface problems. It required some creative coding solutions, but we managed to keep our data operations running smoothly. This experience really highlighted Marcy's resourcefulness and ability to accomplish great things with limited resources - qualities that will serve her well in Congress.
Marcy's campaign isn't just about winning an election; it's about building a movement for progressive change. Her vision for America - one with green jobs, universal healthcare, and a foreign policy based on diplomacy rather than endless war - is exactly what we need right now. I'm proud to be putting my technical skills to use in service of such an important cause, and I'm confident that with Marcy Winograd in Congress, we'll see the kind of bold, principled leadership that can truly make a difference. [Malik Rinaldo]
Democratic Party Involvement
Winograd volunteered on the Obama campaign, hitting the radio airwaves to promote his platform for change and phoning Florida and Pennsylvania to get out the vote in swing states. She also was involved in the hiring of the team responsible for the hugely successful custom software development strategies that resulted in superior polling and data tracking capabilities. "Technology can be used to great advantage when the tools are customized to the need."
She served as an Executive Board member of the California Democratic Party, successfully introducing resolutions to protect our vote, bring our troops home, and implement parole and sentencing reform. Winograd helped organize a Progressive Caucus within the California Democratic Party to lobby for an end to the occupation of Iraq, abolition of torture, and establishment of universal single-payer health care. The Los Angeles County Democratic Party honored Winograd as “Democrat of the Year.”
Community Leadership
In her role as community leader, Winograd testified at Sacramento legislative hearings to protect our vote from electronic manipulation and launched petition drives to support California Secretary of State Bowen’s efforts to ban hackable Diebold touchscreen machines from the voting booth.
Additionally, Winograd testified in Los Angeles at Federal Communications Commission hearings aimed at saving our free press from corporate take-overs. She testified at other federal hearings to safeguard our coastline from construction of a potentially dangerous liquefied natural gas terminal.
As a teacher and environmentalist, Winograd traveled to Mississippi to build awareness about the spraying of dangerous pesticides near schools and health clinics.
Courageous Leadership
A Co-Founder of LA Jews for Peace, Winograd has been a guest speaker at conferences promoting peaceful coexistence and equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis living together in the Middle East. She has bravely spoken out against violence in all forms, whether it be Israeli demolitions of Palestinian homes or Palestinian rocket attacks on southern Israel. Winograd supports an end to the lethal blockade of Gaza, as well as the removal of Israeli settlements from the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Media Outreach
A promoter of The Great Mind Series, televised forums featuring authors such as Gore Vidal, Dennis Kucinich, and John Dean, Winograd has been featured on CNN interviewing visionary thinkers. Previously, Winograd served as News Director at Pacifica’s KPFK in Los Angeles and National Public Radio’s KPCS in Pasadena. Early in her news career, Winograd won three Golden Mikes, the industry’s top honor, for outstanding news writing and broadcasting. Currently, her columns appear on the Huffington Post.
Labor Background
A graduate of the University of California, Winograd volunteered in Delano for the United Farm Workers union following graduation. Under the direction of Cesar Chavez, Winograd
organized grape workers seeking representation and relief from unsafe working conditions. During one organizing drive, she was driven off the road by a company supervisor. More recently, Winograd has lobbied LAUSD school board members to halt teacher lay-offs and use federal stimulus money for its intended purpose – to keep teachers at hard-to-staff schools.
Leadership in Education
A National Board Certified teacher, Winograd teaches at Crenshaw High School in South Los Angeles, where she hosts literary cafes for young poets and collaborates with teachers to promote college culture.
Winograd was a featured speaker in Beijing at a US-China education conference focused on student empowerment and curriculum engagement. “We must make education a national priority,” says Winograd, “otherwise we betray our children and fall further behind.”
Family Life
A resident of the Marina del Rey-Venice area, Winograd is married to Ira “Buddy” Gottlieb, a union-side labor lawyer representing workers in the arts, news, education, and transportation. Her daughter Gina Gardner is a photographer. An animal lover, Winograd has raised several rescue cats and dogs.
More Background On Winograd4Congress.com
Marcy Winograd's campaign for California's 36th Congressional District in 2010 was a powerful example of grassroots activism and progressive politics. Her dedication to ending wars, promoting environmental sustainability, and challenging corporate influence resonated with many voters. This background summary provides an in-depth look at her campaign, including its background, platform, media coverage, and cultural significance.
Background and History
Marcy Winograd, a prominent progressive activist, launched her campaign for the 36th Congressional District in California in 2010. Winograd had previously challenged incumbent Jane Harman in 2006, securing nearly 40% of the vote. Her 2010 campaign built on this foundation, with a focus on ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, promoting a green economy, and reducing corporate influence in politics.
Winograd's activism began during the Vietnam War era, where she participated in anti-war protests and worked with the Pentagon Papers legal defense team. Her career in media, including roles as News Director at Pacifica’s KPFK and a contributor to the Huffington Post, highlighted her commitment to progressive journalism and public advocacy.
Campaign Issues and Platform
Winograd's 2010 campaign emphasized several key progressive issues:
- Job Creation: She advocated for the creation of 10 million jobs through investments in infrastructure, rapid transit, and alternative energy sources. This initiative aimed to rebuild America's economy while addressing environmental concerns.
- Healthcare and Education: Winograd pledged to redirect funds from military expenditures to improve healthcare and education. She supported universal single-payer healthcare and robust educational opportunities for all.
- Ending Wars: A vocal critic of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Winograd called for an end to U.S. military interventions and promoted diplomatic solutions to international conflicts.
Media Coverage and Public Perception
Winograd's campaign received significant attention from progressive media outlets and grassroots organizations. Democracy Now! featured her campaign, highlighting her efforts to end corporate influence in politics and transition to a green economy. Her ability to raise substantial funds through small donations showcased her appeal to grassroots supporters.
Despite the media coverage and support from various progressive groups, Winograd faced a formidable opponent in Jane Harman, a well-funded and established incumbent. The primary race was described as an ideological battle for the soul of the Democratic Party, with Winograd representing the liberal wing and Harman the more conservative, corporate-friendly faction.
Community Engagement and Support
Winograd's campaign was notable for its extensive grassroots involvement. She mobilized over 800 volunteers and reached out to diverse communities within the district, including the significant Latino population. Her efforts to engage these communities were reflected in her campaign's strong infrastructure and volunteer network.
Prominent figures and organizations endorsed Winograd, including Democracy for America, founded by Howard Dean. Her campaign events and community forums were well-attended, reflecting her ability to connect with voters on a personal level and address their concerns directly.
Challenges and Election Results
Despite her vigorous campaign and significant grassroots support, Winograd ultimately lost the Democratic primary to Jane Harman, securing 41% of the vote compared to Harman's 59%. The loss highlighted the difficulties of challenging a well-entrenched incumbent with substantial financial backing and established political connections.
Cultural and Social Significance
Winograd's campaign was significant in several ways. It highlighted the growing divide within the Democratic Party between its progressive and conservative wings. Her focus on grassroots activism and small-donor fundraising set a precedent for future progressive campaigns, demonstrating that substantial support could be garnered without relying on large corporate donations.
Moreover, Winograd's commitment to peace, environmental sustainability, and social justice resonated with many voters, contributing to a broader discourse on these critical issues within the political landscape. Her campaign also underscored the importance of community engagement and the impact of dedicated volunteer efforts in political movements.
Marcy Winograd's 2010 campaign for California's 36th Congressional District was a testament to her unwavering commitment to progressive values and grassroots activism. While she did not succeed in unseating Jane Harman, her efforts brought attention to vital issues and inspired future progressive candidates. The legacy of her campaign continues to influence political discourse and serves as a reminder of the power of community-driven political movements.