Natasha Pettigrew, Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate (MD) - you will not be forgotten

Several months ago, I received emails from a Natasha, asking for help in getting her campaign organized, and asking for some advice. Although a novice to the political arena, it quickly became evident that Natasha held a rare combination of traits: intelligence, charisma, compassion, ambition, and a fearlessness about tackling challenges that were new to her.

It was with great sadness that I head she had been severely injured in a hit-and-run accident with an SUV while biking (part of her training for an upcoming triathalon). Sadness turned to shock and grief when I later heard that she died from her injuries. Her mother, Kenniss Henry, supporters, and members of the community organized a vigil and celebration of her life and efforts to bring change.

This link to an article about her campaign sums things up.

Natasha had a bright future in front of her. Whatever she chose to do, whether it was in the legal realm, the political realm, or any other, she would have been great. Her loss is a tragic one - a bright light extinguished. We can all learn a lesson from her  - that you should follow your dreams and your highest goals, no matter how difficult or challenging they might seem.

More information about Natasha at her campaign website.

I consider myself lucky to have known Natasha, and it was a priviledge to help her campaign efforts.

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Daryl Northrop

Races to watch: Maryland - Natasha Pettigrew for U.S. Senate

(A cool scene for the hot summer!)

The election season is heating up, and its time to look at some of the local races here in MD, DC, and VA.

In Maryland, the Green Party has a great candidate for U.S. Senate - Natasha Pettigrew.

Natasha, a native Marylander, embraces "the spirit of Abraham Lincoln's immortal Gettysburg Address.  "Of the people, by the people, for the people" should always describe Government's actions.  Over the past few years, the actions of our elected officials do not belie a belief in that great philosophy.  I welcome the opportunity to return our great state to those simple but great words."

Running for U.S. Senate as a Green, against an entrenched incumbent is a daunting task. But, Pettigrew's energy, dedication to Maryland values, and unique ability to connect to the voters are the real story here. So what's unique about Natasha? Plenty - first, she is running a clean-money election campaign. This mean that she is not taking contributions from corporations, unions, or Political Action committee's  (PAC's). Outside the DC beltway, there is another more plain-spoken name fo these sorts of "donation" - they are called "bribes." The sad truth is, they are perfectly legal.

Pettigrew realized that in order to have an honest conversation with the people of Maryland, and in order to be accountable to them, she cannot take money from special interests.

If you are looking for a candidate that puts the voters first above all others, take a close look at Natasha Pettigrew, Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate - Maryland.

Greens helping Greens

As a soon-to-be-graduating student from the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University is to help my fellow Greens and regional Green Party's (DC/VA/MD).

In the VA area, I am working with the Northern Virginia Green Party to help them get their message out. Right now, they are more focused on issue work, as opposed to electoral, which is fine. The chapter has recently started to get more active again, and it will take a bit of time to grow membership, energy, and finances to a point where supporting candidates for local office is viable. I look forward to helping them use email, twitter, facebook, youtube, and other tech tools to help them with the strategy. Helping them get control over their message and get the message out the community and press is something I think is vital!

Over in Maryland, the U.S. Senate race to unseat Senator Mikulski is heating up! Natasha Pettigrew, a Maryland native, and law school student at University of Miami has decided that it is time for Marylander's to stand up against the two party system - she is currently meeting with local Green Party's across the state, and working to earn their ballot. Today, she was in Baltimore, meeting with the Baltimore Green Party, and she will address other party groups in the near future. Natasha's energy, drive, and respect for the citizens of Maryland will make her a great candidate, and I look forward to assisting in her campaign!

2010 will be a busy year for me and my involvement with the area's Green Party groups!

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Daryl Northrop