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Progress PAC endorses three each for City Council, BOE

Posted at 11:15 am October 15, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 8 Comments

Kelly Callison

Kelly Callison

Ellen Smith

Ellen Smith

Warren L. Gooch

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

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

Bob Eby

Paige Marshall

Paige Marshall

Laura McLean

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.

Filed Under: 2014 Election, Education, Government, K-12, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Bob Eby, David Bradshaw, Ellen Smith, interview, jobs, Kelly Callison, Laura McLean, November 4 municipal election, Oak Ridge Board of Education, Oak Ridge City Council, Paige Marshall, Progress PAC, questionnaires, schools, Steve Whitson, Warren Gooch

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Comments

  1. Mark Caldwell says

    October 15, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    Wow! The same six for whom that I intend to vote. Progress PAC is good.

    Reply
    • Dave Smith says

      October 15, 2014 at 1:11 pm

      You’ve got one more vote for a candidate for council. Have you got anyone in mind?

      Reply
      • Mark Caldwell says

        October 15, 2014 at 3:48 pm

        It’s might be Mosby or Savara. Maybe I’ll flip a coin. But I am going to vote.

        Reply
        • Aditya "Doc" Savara says

          October 15, 2014 at 9:26 pm

          Mark, let me lend you a coin with two heads, or two tails, whichever one I’m on 🙂

          Reply
  2. Dave Smith says

    October 15, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    “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.

    Reply
    • Andrew Howe says

      October 16, 2014 at 10:20 am

      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.

      Reply
  3. Joseph Lee says

    October 15, 2014 at 10:45 pm

    This is more good news for Oak Ridge.
    The pools are open.
    It’s time to vote.

    Reply
  4. Joseph Lee says

    October 15, 2014 at 10:51 pm

    The polls are open too.

    Reply

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