Kelly Callison
Ellen Smith
Warren L. Gooch
The new Progress PAC political action committee has endorsed three candidates each for Oak Ridge City Council and Oak Ridge Board of Education.
The three candidates endorsed in the City Council race are Kelly Callison, Warren Gooch, and Ellen Smith. The three endorsed in the School Board race are Bob Eby, Paige Marshall, and Laura McLean.
“PAC board members feel these candidates best support exceptional schools and jobs in Oak Ridge via teamwork between the Board of Education and City Council,” a press release said.
Stephen Whitson
David Bradshaw, Progress PAC treasurer, said that the committee decided not to contribute funds to the election campaign of any candidate. Instead, the committee’s support will be in the form of independent expenditures that are not in collaboration with any candidate.
In fact, Progress PAC Chairman Steve Whitson said, the committee has not even shared its decisions with the candidates themselves, the press release said.
“They will find out about our support at the same time the voters do—when they read about it in local media,” Whitson said.
Bob Eby
Paige Marshall
Laura McLean
Whitson said that the committee only considered support for candidates who submitted written answers to questionnaires and later participated in interview discussions with PAC members.
“Not every candidate decided to participate in that process,†Whitson said, “and our committee certainly respects their decisions.”
He added that some candidates who elected not to participate have posted their answers in blogs or in social media.
“We’re very grateful for that,” Whitson said. “If it leads to a broader exchange of ideas and opinions, if it helps to define the issues in these important elections, then we believe that Oak Ridge citizens will benefit.”
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Mark Caldwell says
Wow! The same six for whom that I intend to vote. Progress PAC is good.
Dave Smith says
You’ve got one more vote for a candidate for council. Have you got anyone in mind?
Mark Caldwell says
It’s might be Mosby or Savara. Maybe I’ll flip a coin. But I am going to vote.
Aditya "Doc" Savara says
Mark, let me lend you a coin with two heads, or two tails, whichever one I’m on 🙂
Dave Smith says
“David Bradshaw, Progress PAC treasurer, said that the committee decided not to contribute funds to the election campaign of any candidate. Instead, the committee’s support will be in the form of independent expenditures that are not in collaboration with any candidate.”
The money would be well spent if it went toward publicizing the important issues and decisions that council and BOE members will confront in the near future. The Progress PAC questionnaire is a good framework for the attitudes and unemotional decision-making that will be required to successfully manage these issues. Even those candidates not endorsed by the PAC can benefit from the time they spent answering the questions because they focused on matters that are important to thoughtful voters.
I appreciate the work of those involved in the Progress PAC.
Andrew Howe says
I say give the money to the ORS or to a group working with the ORS.
The money spent on campaigning could’ve solved the schools ‘missing textbooks’ issue, or made a considerable dent into it.
Joseph Lee says
This is more good news for Oak Ridge.
The pools are open.
It’s time to vote.
Joseph Lee says
The polls are open too.