For Immediate ReleaseContact: Stace Medellin, vote4gary@gmail.com, 832-868-9931BINDERIM PARTICIPATES in HUMBLE PTA FORUMPoe a No-Show--Again!Gary Binderim, the Democrat running to defeat Ted Poe in District 2, found a welcoming group of voters at the Humble PTA Candidate Forum held in Kingwood. Ted Poe was a no-show.Binderim spoke on various positions he has taken on issues, such as public education and "No Child," Social Security and Teachers, the War in Iraq, the economy, and immigration. Binderim also had the opportunity to differentiate between his positions and those of Poe, as well as differentiating between Poe's positions and his actual voting record."In Kingwood I have found voters of various political stripes that are seeking an alternative to politics as usual, and especially an alternative to Ted Poe," said Binderim. "Every voter I have visited with, I have been honest and open about my positions, and I believe that I am gaining support in what has been considered Republican territory because of that."Among Gary's personal highlights were being approached by several voters with "Ted Poe" lapel stickers who told him he had their votes. Another was being told by a Republican voter that he appreciated Binderim's honest, sensible, and comprehensive approach to immigration reform."At one point, I would have thought that immigration was going to be the only issue of interest because that's all Ted Poe campaigned on," said Binderim, "but I can honestly say that Poe's approach, along with Poe's avoidance of the issues that matter to the vast majority of voters, is wearing thin with voters in this part of District 2."District 2 is considered a suburban, middle-class Congressional district; however, Poe's voting record on Bush's tax cuts, as well as his support for tax giveaways to Paris Hilton-like estates has caught the attention of many middle class voters. Only 2.5% of District 2 households make more than $200,000 per year--these are the households that receive the majority of Bush's tax giveaways."When working and middle class people were overtaxed with high gas costs, a higher cost of living, a 40% increase in tuition in the last 3 years, and a higher cost of health care--even after tort reform, they began to really look at the Republican voting record," said Binderim. "Along with increased mistrust with the Republican adminstration over the Iraq war, voters began to think that the Republican Party they had so long supported was not the same one today, and voters are seeking change."Binderim's campaign has been a "people-powered" campaign consisiting of volunteers from throughout the District. Meanwhile, Poe has raised around one million dollars, with more than half of the money coming from corporate and special interest PACs and wealthy CEOs."I'm proud of every dollar we have raised from regular, hard-working individuals," said Binderim, adding, "and every volunteer who has either put up a sign in their yard, passed out literature, blockwalked, or sent an e-mail on my behalf has only increase the value of what I have raised. While I won't forget the people that would put me in office, it is Ted Poe that will be too busy paying back favors to the special interests that funded him."Early voting is happening now, with Saturday being a big day--the first full-day (7AM to 7PM). Voters in the Kingwood/Humble/Atascocita/Huffman area are invited to join the Kingwood Area Democrats at the Kingwood Fire Station polling location (4121 West Lake Houston Pkwy.) as they will vote en masse on Saturday morning at 8AM. Afterwards, they will head out to Skeeter's Mesquite Grill across the street for a dutch-treat breakfast buffet to Celebrate Democracy!Gary plans to head out to Jefferson County afterwards to visit voters at various polling locations.

I received this letter from a woman in Illinois who experienced the new attitudes and procedures that are being put in place as the Republican majority continues to sling rhetoric and venom regarding their anti-immigrant stances. In the process, these attitudes are dividing families--REAL PEOPLE. It is these types of situations that embolden my commitment to sensible immigration reform and National Security achieved through real intelligence, rather than judgments based on little to no information. We must be proactive--it is the responsible, meaningful way of achieving reform and security.Dear Mr. Binderim:I am writing to you not with the desire for you to feel you have to respond but rather to let you know what it is like to be married into a family that was recently separated due to the immigration issues we have here in the United States. I am attaching a letter that I emailed to all of the Senators possible in the state of Illinois within the districts that I am allowed to write.The letter that I have enclosed explains what happened to my family on October 15, 2006. In short my in-laws arrived at O’Hare International airport at 7:11pm, some 6 hours later after being verbally abused by Immigration Officers at the airport – Immigration decided it was in the best interest of the United States that these 2 very innocent people, be returned to Mexico because the feared that they would over stay their welcome. The only reason they were coming to the United States was to take a family vacation with my family to celebrate my parents 40th wedding anniversary. We were all to go to Arizona. Now with much disappointment, everyday I have to explain to my 5 year old daughter that I am working as hard as I can to get her grandparents back here. From what I have been informed by our attorney it looks like the only way to fight any of this is to make my in-laws legal US residents so this way my kids can see them in about a year instead of 5 – you would think that they were horrible criminals that tried to do something unbelievable to the US with the way that they were treated. And its all legal – who would have thought that Americans could be so horrible to 2 innocent people trying to visit their son and also to their son who was patiently waiting for them at the airport. And the reality of this whole disaster – if I had been at the airport with them – this would have never happened because I am as white as you can get - that just proves how raciest our country has become. The immigration officers would have taken one look at me and said okay – but because my husband was there and I was at home – they were just as rude to him. And according to Dennis Hastert’s office, because my husband just became a citizen in July – that is probably what set the whole thing in motion – so much for being a US citizen this day in age – it doesn’t do anything for anyone. I know Mr. Hastert’s office isn’t really the best place to start seeing how he is opposed to immigrants in the first place, but they were the first that have responded to my email from last Thursday. I should have known that they would have been rude to me as well, since one less Mexican in the country would make them happier.I appreciate your time and apologize for going on. I read on your website your views about immigrants and thought you might be interested in what really does happen in the United States to innocent people. Thanks again and have a wonderful day.Kim VelasquezChicago, ILHere's the letter she sent to elected officials.October 19, 2006To the Illinois State Representatives:It is with great sadness and disappointment in United States Government that I feel the need to write to each of you about a very unfortunate incident that happened to my family on Sunday, October 15, 2006.For being a white Caucasian born and raised in the state of Illinois, it is very hard to explain to my now citizen husband, who was originally born and raised in Mexico that his parents CAN be removed from O’Hare International Airport for no reason.My in-laws tried to arrive on Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 7:11pm. By 9:30pm it was apparent that there were some issues going through customs/immigration, but we had no understanding as to what the problem really was. By 1:30am my husband was on his way home from the airport and his parents were going to be put on a plane back to Mexico at 2:00am. Still without real explanation we had no clue why this has happened. After 7 years of them coming back and forth from Mexico into O’Hare for about 6 months at a time each time, without any problems, nothing made sense. Besides the fact they were issued brand new VISAS and PASSPORTS on 4/17/06.The Immigration Officers tried to force them into signing documentation that was untruthful, they verbally harassed my in-laws, and only to find out yesterday through a lawyer – that in the UNITED STATES – this is actually legal. WOW! I had no idea that I was born and raised into a country that is so evil, and would allow Officers to have some much authority that they can verbally abuse and scare people and its okay – especially when they are completely innocent people, have never done anything wrong in their own country let alone ours. And yet the people that would rather blow-up planes/buildings can just keep coming into the country. WOW! That’s all I can really say.The United States has given this grand power to the WRONG people. They get to just choose for example: Okay you are the 539 person to come through today and we have only sent 13 people back to their countries – we really need to have 15 people for the day sent back to the countries of origin – guess it is your lucky day to be abused by the UNITED STATES!. That makes me sick!My in-laws are wonderful people, with no record of any kind, and all they wanted to do was come and see their grandchildren and take a vacation with us and my family to Arizona the week of Thanksgiving to celebrate my parent’s 40th wedding anniversary.And now thanks to each of you and the rest of Congress/Government/The United States – my innocent 5 year old and 2 year old – have to suffer without their grandparents on the first vacation for all of us together – because of this ultimate power that you have given the Immigration Officers at the airports – THANK YOU, THANK YOU very much for breaking 2 little girls hearts over NOTHING! Makes me so proud to be an American! And now knowing that there is nothing, no appealing, nothing that can be done by one huge STUPID mistake of 2 Immigration Officers. THANKS! I hope each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with each of your families ~ knowing my little girls are suffering from not seeing their grandparents.Sincerely,Kim Velazquez

For Immediate ReleaseContact: Stace Medellin, 832-868-9931, Vote4Gary@gmail.comGARY BINDERIM PARTICIPATES IN DAYTON FORUM; POE A NO-SHOWGary Binderim, the Democrat challenging one-termer Ted Poe in Congressional District 2, participated in the Dayton News Candidate Forum at Woodrow Wilson Junior High School on Tuesday, October 17. Around 100 Dayton voters attended and asked questions of eleven candidates running in Liberty County. Poe was a no-show."I'm not surprised Ted Poe was a no-show; he's been a no-show when it comes to the people of Liberty and Jefferson County," said Binderim. "His dismal Congressional voting record is proof that he holds the hard-working people of Liberty County in low regard, so Poe avoiding defending his record in Congress is not surprising. It is time for all of District 2 to be represented, and I'm the candidate that is committed to representing the good people of Liberty County and all of District 2."Binderim was given the opportunity to introduce himself and lay-out his vision for District 2. After his presentation, he spent the rest of the evening listening to the concerns of the people of Liberty County as they asked questions of the other participants. "The people of Liberty County are savvy voters," said Binderim, "They care about the issues and it is time for someone in Congress to listen to their viewpoints.""Ted Poe has been given every opportunity, whether at forums or at his own fundraisers, to speak about his Congressional record, but his record is indefensible," said Binderim. "Ted Poe has only represented those wealthy and special interests that have written him those big checks, and the people, even some of his past supporters, are disappointed at his one-term in the Congress."Gary Binderim is running a "people-powered" campaign that has netted him around $15,000 in contributions, while utilizing various groups of community leaders in Beaumont, Kingwood, Baytown, Spring, and the Willowbrook area to spread his message. On the other hand, Ted Poe has collected almost $900,000 in special interest contributions, including around $100,000 from Big Oil and Energy PACs and tens of thousands of dollars more from pharmaceutical and medical special interests whose interests do not include the people of District 2."I am offering a clear alternative to politics as usual, and Ted Poe continues his work at dividing America, failing to provide solutions to the challenges we face," said Binderim. "If Ted Poe paid more attention to the people, instead of to those that fund him, perhaps he'd have a leg to stand on, but he has been a failure in only two years."Binderim will be showing his support for Democratic candidate for Attorney General David Van Os at the Harris County Courthouse on Wednesday, October 18 at 4PM. Binderim participated in David Van Os' Whistlestop Tour of Liberty and Jefferson County this past summer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—October 11, 2006Contact:Stace Medellin, 832-868-9931, vote4gary@gmail.com POE COMPARES FOLEY’S BEHAVIOR TO FORMER PRESIDENT KINGWOOD—District 2 member of Congress Ted Poe compared former Florida Congressman Mark Foley’s behavior to the extramarital affair of former President Clinton. States Poe on his campaign website, “Unfortunately he is not the first representative to behave appallingly inappropriate, there [has] been…a Democratic President also.”His challenger, Democrat Gary Binderim responded, “Poe will do anything to protect his Republican leaders, but it is quite appalling to hear him go so far as to compare a personal adult mistake to a possibly criminal act by Republican Foley.” Binderim continued, “I thought Poe of all people knew that marital missteps could be forgiven by one’s family, community, and even their church, but to utilize such a comment for political gain shows that he only wants to protect his leader, Dennis Hastert.” (see related article linked below).Binderim stated that Dennis Hastert had hosted a fundraiser for one-term incumbent Poe. Hastert is expected to return on October 31 for another high-dollar fundraiser for Poe.“While other Republicans around the country are distancing themselves from Hastert, including Houston’s Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, Ted Poe is exhibiting a kind of political arrogance that is not representative of the people of District 2.”Binderim continued, “This election really is about the values the people of District 2 hold highest, and it takes more than just talking about values, it takes acting on those values. I’m the candidate that will fight for those values.” Gary Binderim is a first-time candidate and has been traveling District 2, talking to voters about the issues that matter most to them: Social Security, Jobs Security, Post-Rita, Disaster Relief, and Health Care. For more information, visit: www.GaryBinderim.com.Related article: http://www.houstonpress.net/Issues/2004-01-22/news/insider.html

by Clement White, Kingwood, TXAs a former staunch Republican who feels his party has left him, I would like to bring to your attention just a few of the facts concerning the voting record of our current congressman, Ted Poe. I. Poe voted against stem cell research and to sustain the President's veto over the overwhelming wishes of the majority of the country and the congress. This legislation would have funded research on excess embryos from fertilization clinics that will be discarded and destroyed in any case. More than 100 million Americans suffer from cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other debilitating diseases. The overwhelming consensus of the medical/scientific community is that stem cell legislation is vital. Even Bill Frist, the Republican Majority leader and a doctor, voted in favor of this bill. II. In a speech on the “Liberation of Iraq” in March of this year Poe lauded the fighting men and women that are over there --- who doesn't? However, he goes on to say that he believes that we are winning!!Many observers (including U.S. troops quoted in a August 6, 2006 Houston Chronicle article) believe that this conflict has degenerated into a low to medium grade civil war between the Sunni and the Shiite. Which side does Poe back in this conflict? How much American blood and treasure is he committed to spill in an open-ended commitment to insure the triumph for the ultimate brand of Muslim victor? As matters now stand, we have an elected Iraqi government dominated by the Shiites that many think will ultimately be dominated by (Shiite) Iran. A very recent congressional report says financial corruption is out of control in Iraq. Poe says: “some things are just worth fighting for, and freedom is one of those things.” How many American lives is this brand of Iraqi freedom worth?Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, it was not a terrorist breeding ground before 9/11, but due to the ineffectual prosecution of the war many observers believe that it has been converted to one. Through all of this Poe delivers happy talk and calls for more of the same Bush policies. American public opinion has turned against this war. Yet in a speech in the House Poe has the nerve to equate critics of the Bush failed policiesas being equivalent to the person accused of being the American traitor, Tokyo Rose, of World War II.III. Poe voted for every tax cut (which predominantly benefited the extremely wealthy) and every spending bill presented to congress. As a result, the deficit is out of control and the national debt is approaching 9 trillion dollars (our Gross National Product is only about 12-13 trillion). In a July 11, 2006 speech, the Comptroller of the United States claims that we are faced with a budget deficit, savings deficit, balance of payments deficit and a leadership deficit. He compares our current reaction to the modest declines in our budget forecast deficit to a beach party while a tsunami is building on the horizon. He says: “Too many people are saying, “party on” rather than heading for higher ground.” Even conservative Republicans such as George Will are appalled at the financial mess this administration has brought us to.As a person who votes for tax cut for the very rich, benefits for the special interests, and unfettered spending, Poe is part of the problem. IV. Are you enjoying the high cost of gasoline while Exxon makes $10 billion in one quarter? Ted Poe voted for Energy Policy Act of 2005 that was signed into law that provided $28 billion of tax breaks to the oil, coal, gas, nuclear, and electrical industries. Furthermore, he has delivered speech after speech extolling the virtues of drilling. No informed observer believes that a domestic drilling program can solve our oil importation problems. Conservation, higher mileage standards, serious consideration of non- fossil fuels, you will not hear speeches on these issues from Ted Poe. I guess these issues do not have the lobbyists to compete with the oil money that bankrolls Ted Poe. In the meantime, our dependence on Mideast oil increases and we ship more petrodollars to governments that bankroll terrorist organizations. In addition, of course, total dependence on oil only exacerbates the global warming problem. V. In the last week of July, 2006, the House voted 279-131 to pass a bill that would shore up defined-benefited pension plans by requiring some 30,000 companies to fully fund their pension liabilities over seven years. POE VOTED AGAINST THIS BILL! VI. Remember poor Terry Schiavo? She was the lady in Florida that had been conclusively determined to be brain dead and was kept artificially “alive” over the objections of her guardian husband. The American Public was 70% against congressional intervention in such a private family matter. Nevertheless, when Tom DeLay mobilized Congress to intervene in this case, Ted Poe voted to send this case to the Supreme Court. You may recall the final outcome: the Supreme Court refused to intervene and when Mrs. Schiavo passed away her autopsy confirmed her hopeless condition. VII. Poe voted against a ban on cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment of detainees held by U.S. forces and to require the military to follow its own field manual for interrogations. Fortunately, due to the efforts of John McCain legislation prohibiting torture of prisoners was signed by the President. VIII. If you like Tom DeLay and Dick Cheney, you should love Ted Poe. Poe voted with Tom DeLay 92% of the time and accepted money from Tom DeLay's PAC. Poe even contributed $5,000 from his own campaign funds to the Tom DeLay Legal Defense Fund. Cheney campaigned for Poe in the last election. IX. In a vote that passed the House by two votes and the Senate by a tie breaking vote by the Vice President, Poe voted with the majority to cut the student loan program and to increase payments and co-pays for Medicaid recipients and at the same time allowed states to offer scaled-back Medicaid programs with fewer benefits. X. In June of this year, after the several mine disasters that have occurred, Poe voted against the Mine Improvement and New Emergency and Response Act. This is curious because this bill received support from both the GOP and the Democrats. IN SUMMARY, RECENT POLLS INDICATE THAT EVEN IN REPUBLICIAN DISTRICTS A SOLID MAJORITY OF VOTERS BELIEVE THE TIME HAS COME TO GIVE A NEWCOMER A CHANCE. HASN'T THAT TIME COME WHEN YOU VOTE IN NOVEMBER IN THE TEXAS 2nd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT?For more information on the newcomer, Gary Binderim, visit www.GaryBinderim.com.

Gary Binderim w/ Pastor Ray SullinsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Stace Medellin, 832-868-9931, Vote4Gary@gmail.comDAYTON--Gary Binderim, Democratic candidate for the 2nd Congressional District of Texas spent Sunday, September 10 at the Westlake Volunteer Fire Department's Flag Retirement, Commemoration Ceremony and Blood Drive. Also in attendance was Liberty County Treasurer Linda Leonard, Commissioner Norman Brown of Pct. 4, as well as other candidates for office.After the singing of the National Anthem and a moving invocation by Pastor Ray Sullins of the Midway Baptist Church, a Dayton-area troup of Boy Scouts ceremoniously retired a U.S. flag flying at the Fire Department. The process entailed cutting the flag, stripe by stripe, then placing each strip in a container of hot coals. The Scouts would continue retiring various flags flown over the Fire Department afterwards. Prior to Pastor Sullins' benediction, two crates of doves were released to signify freedom and peace.Over 30 guests enjoyed community conversation, various snacks and desserts, and various fire safety and disaster preparedness pamphlets provided by the Westlake VFD.Congressional candidate Gary Binderim enjoyed speaking individually to various voters who were receptive to his campaign platform that includes protecting Social Security, ensuring quality assets for First Responders, and increasing the minimum wage to a livable wage so minimum wage workers can work without being left in poverty.Earlier in the day, Binderim spent some time at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church Festival at St. Anne's Parish Hall. He enjoyed meeting briefly with Liberty County Clerk Delia Sellers, whom he had met earlier this year at a Campaign Rally held at the County Courthouse.For more information on the Gary Binderim campaign for Congress, please visit: www.GaryBinderim.com.

For Immediate ReleaseContact: Stace Medellin, 832-868-9931, Vote4Gary@gmail.comBINDERIM BLASTS BUSH, CONGRESS FOR FAILING OUR POLICETed Poe has yet to support real crime-fighting measures Gary Binderim, candidate for the 2nd Congressional District of Texas, blasted Attorney General Al Gonzales and the Bush administration for recent comments in an Associated Press report against federal assistance to add new police officers to local law enforcement agencies. “Throughout District 2, crime rates have increased at the same time that our need for police officers has increased,” said Binderim, “It is time for another Clinton-era commitment to put 100,000 new police officers on the beat around the country, especially in our urban areas.” Gonzales was responding to several mayors and police chiefs who expressed concern at a crime conference that the Bush administration was spending too much money on wars abroad, while ignoring an increase in street crime at home. Citing the Bush administration’s expenses in the war on terrorism, Binderim added, “If our urban areas, especially those with seaports and high levels of commerce, are possible targets for terrorism, then one would figure that Ted Poe and the Bush administration would be spending our tax dollars on our local police agencies, instead of wasting it on no-bid contracts abroad.” According to the AP report which cited the Bush administration and AG Gonzales’ position on funding local police, some criminal justice experts have said the statistics reflect complacency in fighting crime. Said Binderim, “In Harris and Jefferson Counties we have seen an increase in crime, and the lack of commitment to putting more police officers on the beat shown by the Bush administration and the Republican Congress is the reason.” For more information on Gary Binderim, please visit www.GaryBinderim.com.

For Immediate ReleaseContact: Stace Medellin, 832-868-9931Poe Cares Little for Middle Class, Why Should He Care About Horses?Poe votes against banning horse slaughterTed Poe continued his single issue campaign this week, avoiding his dismal, one-term Congressional record. Poe voted against banning the slaughter of horses this week, stating he wasn't concerned about "horse security.""Ted Poe isn't concerned about any kind of security, especially the economic security of the families of District 2," said Gary Binderim, the Democratic candidate in Congressional District 2. "Ted Poe has compiled a Congressional record that he refuses to discuss and campaign on. I'm not surprised he's out slaughtering horses since he's already slaughtered Working and Middle Class families."Binderim was referring to a Congressional record that includes votes against working and middle class families:* Poe voted to hold a two dollar increase in the Minimum Wage hostage, while he pushed for a $268 billion estate tax giveaway to America's wealthiest families--few, if any, reside in District 2.* Poe voted to continue another giveaway of working and middle class tax payments to those same families that do not reside in District 2.* Poe voted to protect price gouging oil companies--the same companies that have given him close to $75,000 in contributions.Asked Binderim, "Who is Ted Poe working for? District 2 needs a representative that has all families in Harris, Jefferson, and Liberty counties in mind. After one-term, Ted Poe has shown us who he is working for, and it is not the families that matter--those in District 2."Gary Binderim is a first-time candidate who continues to work his full-time job, while running a grassroots campaign throughout the District. He entered the race on January 2--the filing deadline--to ensure Ted Poe would answer for his dismal Congressional voting record."First of all, no incumbent with a bad Congressional voting record should ever go unopposed," said Binderim. "I run as a candidate that will answer to the people, not Big Money contributors. It is time for all of the people of District 2 to be represented by someone that they can identify with and that will fight for them everyday in Washington, DC."For more information on the Binderim's campaign, visit: http://www.garybinderim.com/.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—July 31, 2006Contact:Stace Medellin, 832-868-9931, vote4gary@gmail.comPOE CHOOSES TO HOLD WORKING PEOPLE HOSTAGEKINGWOOD--U.S. Rep. Ted Poe of the 2nd Congressional District of Texas chose to hold the futures of working people hostage by voting for a provision which would hand over $268 billion dollars from the federal budget to wealthy special interests. The provision was added on to a House bill designed to increase the minimum wage by two dollars over the next three years; however, the tax cut for the wealthy would be stretched out for the next decade at billions of dollars per year.“The estate tax ensures that the wealthy pay their fair share, while somewhat alleviating the burden on working and middle class families,” said Gary Binderim, the Democrat running to defeat Ted Poe. “All Ted Poe is doing is protecting the interests of a few wealthy families outside of his Congressional district on the backs of the working people living his own Congressional district.”Binderim asks how Ted Poe and the Republicans can compare a $268 billion raid of the federal budget to a $2 increase in the minimum wage. “How can Ted Poe extort $268 million from working and middle class families who are already burdened with a $9 trillion debt and a $300 million deficit, on top of $3 per gallon gasoline, double-digit college tuition increases, and a rising cost of living?” asked Binderim.Binderim feels it is time that the federal government mandate that businesses pay a truly livable wage. “A job is supposed to keep you out of poverty, and this wage increase is hardly getting us there, said Binderim. According to the 2000 census, at $5.15 per hour, almost 15% of workers in Beaumont earn the minimum wage and almost 23% earn less than the proposed $7.25 per hour (or $15,080 per year). “It is time to put the working and middle class families of District 2 at the top of Congress’ priority list. added Binderim.“It is about time that Ted Poe answered some serious questions about his lack of representation of the vast majority of people in District 2,” said Binderim. “When over 53% of households in District 2 make less than $50,000 per year and only 2.9% of households make over $200,000 annually, just who is Ted Poe representing? It is time for a change and I will be the voice for change.”Gary Binderim is campaigning on a vow to change the course of the federal government; beginning with a change in priorities in which the people of District 2 would come first—not wealthy special interests from outside of the district.For more information, visit www.GaryBinderim.com.###

For Immediate ReleaseJuly 19, 2006Contact: Stace Medellin, 832-868-9931, vote4gary@gmail.comGary's Grassroots Campaign Rolls OnGary Binderim, the Democrat running to beat Ted Poe in Congressional District 2, reports cash on hand of $1,056.18. Along with a loan to himself (mostly to cover the filing fee), Binderim raised over $8600 in personal contributions from regular, hard-working people from around District 2. Binderim's report is located here; however, will be amended within the next 14 days to correct a few minor clerical errors.After submitting his first quarterly report of the campaign, Binderim has already seen a quick uptick in fundraising with several contributions sent and arriving after the deadline. A major fundraising event is in the works, which will take place in Kingwood in August (details soon!). Along with a more concentrated effort on fundraising during this second half of the campaign, while continuing to meet voters face-to-face, as he has been doing since signing up for the race on January 2, the Binderim campaign expects to raise enough to ensure a major signage presence, as well as a direct mail and phone banking effort before the election. This is indeed a grassroots campaign and Binderim is committed to reaching as many voters as possible, personally and through other efforts."While fundraising hasn't taken a backseat in this campaign, Gary has concentrated on meeting the most important people in District 2--the activists and Democratic leaders that continue to help him spread the word and get out the vote for his campaign," said campaign manager Stace Medellin. "And whether it's been large community events or face-to-face meetings with individual voters, the response to Mr. Binderim has been tremendous, including an amazing response from spectators at the Kingwood Independence Day Parade where he was introduced to literally thousands of voters." And it helped that while his opponent rode in a fancy convertible, Binderim walked the entire route shaking hands and talking to the people. Binderim served as Kingwood's water services manager, so he is readily recognized by many Kingwood originals for his service and his professionalism during his stint as the services manager.As one-term Republican incumbent Ted Poe will boast cash on hand of $224,215.96, one thing is evident--Poe has concentrated his efforts on raising and spending money the whole time he's been in office, while amassing a partisan Congressional record that shows his indifference toward the people. Since April, he raised over $111,000 from special interest PACs and wealthy attorneys and corporate-types. Since April, Poe also spent over $95,000, including several large payments to fundraising and political consultants. Obviously, he's not taking this grassroots challenge lightly, and he'll sell every favor possible get re-elected."While Poe stays busy showing off his price tag and running on his one divisive issue, Gary Binderim has been talking about the issues that matter: Strengthening Social Security; increasing disaster relief and recovery within the district for the present and the future; increasing access to affordable health care for children,the elderly, and the disabled; reforming our public education system to strengthen our future workforce; and tax reform that benefits hard-working people, instead of making the rich richer," said Medellin. "This campaign is about the issues that matter to the people, and not what matters to Poe."As Binderim states, "My only special interests are the hard-working people of District 2. This campaign is about re-establishing our national and local priorities and as the cost of living increases for all of us, as our current Republican administration pushes working and middle class families further into debt, and as Poe and the Republican Congress continually shows their indifference toward most working people, I've made it my job as a candidate to remind all voters that it can be and it will be better if they give me and the slate of Democratic candidates on our ballot their support."Binderim is proud to have appeared at events with stellar candidates, such as Chad Khan (running in HD126), Dot Nelson-Turnier (HD150), and Diane Trautman (HD127) locally, and with statewide candidate David Van Os on a portion of David's Whistlestop Tour.To contribute to the campaign to defeat Ted Poe, go to Gary's ActBlue.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stace Medellin at 281-361-5808 (Campaign News) Gary Binderim at 281-770-0413 (Direct Candidate Contact) Email: vote4gary@gmail.comBINDERIM SPEAKS TO AREA VOTERSKINGWOOD, TX- Gary Binderim, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 2, spoke to a meeting of Senate District 4 political activists on Saturday, March 25. The meeting was held at Kingwood College, and was part of a long day which had Binderim traveling from Kingwood to Beaumont.Binderim stated that he will oppose privatization of social security, and instead work to ensure its viability as a national safety-net for those hard-working Americans who have loyally contributed to our nation’s workforce. “Protecting and strengthening Social Security will be my number one priority in the Congress,” said Binderim,”I will work to make sure that Social Security will be there for our parents, for us, and for our children.” Binderim added that Ted Poe’s plan for social security destroys the national safety net by handing over Americans’ hard-earned dollars to Wall Street.Binderim also spoke about the ever-increasing tax burden placed on Americans, placing the responsibility on the “siphon and spend” Republican Congress that is on target to run up a $9 trillion deficit that will be left for future generations to pay. “We can reduce taxes on the middle class and small businessmen by staying out of ill conceived foreign adventures, by reducing pervasive Republican corruption, by eliminating spending for programs that were never meant to work in the first place, and by asking the wealthy to start paying their fair share” said Binderim.On the issue of national security, Binderim stated that Ted Poe’s support for the Bush administration’s failed management of this war shows his ideological inflexibility and a lack of strategic vision. “Our military is being weakened because of the incompetent political leadership of an administration that would rather spend billions building a missile defense system that does not work while, at the same time, cutting back on veterans care and benefits.” Binderim continued that Ted Poe is part of a rubber-stamping Congress that will not change its ways unless there is a change in representation in District 2 and beyond.For more information on the Gary Binderim for Congress campaign, visit www.GaryBinderim.com.

Question: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended. Bill: H R 6867 Vote description: Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 Result: Passed, 368-28, with 38 not voting. John Culberson voted No.

Question: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass. Bill: S 3197 Vote description: National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act Result: Passed, 411-0, with 22 not voting. John Culberson voted Yes.

Question: On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments. Bill: H R 1424 Vote description: Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 Result: Passed, 263-171. John Culberson voted No.

Question: On Agreeing to the Resolution. Bill: H RES 1525 Vote description: Providing for Consideration of the Senate Amendments to H.R. 1424, Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Result: Passed, 223-205, with 5 not voting. John Culberson voted No.

Question: On Ordering the Previous Question. Bill: H RES 1525 Vote description: Providing for Consideration of the Senate Amendments to H.R. 1424, Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Result: Passed, 235-190, with 8 not voting. John Culberson voted No.

Question: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended. Bill: H R 7221 Vote description: Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act Result: Passed, 355-61, with 17 not voting. John Culberson voted No.

Question: Table Motion to Reconsider. Bill: S 3641 Vote description: To Authorize Funding for the National Crime Victim Law Institute to Provide Support for Victims of Crime Under Crime Victims Legal Assistance Programs As a Part of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. Result: Passed, 295-115, with 23 not voting. John Culberson voted No.

Question: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass. Bill: S 3641 Vote description: To Authorize Funding for the National Crime Victim Law Institute to Provide Support for Victims of Crime Under Crime Victims Legal Assistance Programs As a Part of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. Result: Passed, 410-2, with 21 not voting. John Culberson voted Yes.