Cruzing to Victory - MCG Helps Deliver Landslide Win for Florida’s Newest State House Member
MCG congratulates Janet Cruz on her impressive victory in the special election to fill the Florida state house seat vacated when Representative Michael Scionti resigned to join President Obama’s Administration. Representative-elect Cruz carried 64% of the vote in District 58 which covers parts of West Tampa, Town 'n' Country and Seminole Heights.
Dylan Sumner, Senior Vice President for MCG, served as a senior consultant to the campaign and delivered strategic and creative mail, helping Cruz secure the Democratic nomination and win the general election.
This victory builds on MCG’s undefeated record in Florida State House general elections.
For the wrap up, check out the St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Bay Tribune articles.
MCG Donates Pollie Award Entry Fees to Haitian Relief
Nearly a month after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, relief efforts are still falling short. Over 200,000 Haitians were killed in the quake, many more were injured, hundreds of thousands remain homeless, medicine is lacking and food-aid barely meets the growing need. It is perhaps the worst natural disaster in modern history.
Times like these require each of us to do what we can to alleviate human suffering. In light of that, Mack|Crounse Group has chosen to forego the 2010 Pollie Awards in order to maximize our contribution to relief efforts in Haiti. We remain proud of our past showings at the awards and wish this year’s entrants the best of luck.
Check out our previous post to learn how you can donate.
Read the Washington Post story: Haiti earthquake relief efforts are still falling short.
Remembering Mr. Murtha
Mack|Crounse Group was saddened to learn of the passing of Congressman John Murtha. A patriot in the truest sense of the word, he served our country abroad with valor, committed himself to improving the circumstances of our veterans and military, and worked every day to better the economic well being of his constituents in Johnstown and the rest of Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District.
MCG was honored to be a member of Mr. Murtha’s campaign team for several election cycles. Today, our thoughts are with his wife, Joyce; daughter, Donna Murtha; son, John Murtha and his wife Kathy; son, Patrick Murtha and his wife Lynn; and grandchildren Jack, Anne and Clayton.
In keeping with his family’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, MCG has made donations to the John P. Murtha Cancer Pavilion in Johnstown and the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center in Windber. In Mr. Murtha’s memory, we encourage you to do the same.
Please follow these links for more information on how to donate:
MCG Wins Politics Magazine Reed Awards Again in 2010
On January 29th, Mack|Crounse Group was honored at the 2010 Politics Magazine Reed Awards. MCG took home awards in the Direct Mail category, including a win for Best Villain and a win for National Public Affairs Advocacy. This marks the second year of the awards, as well as the second year MCG has been recognized.
A special thanks goes to the staff at Politics Magazine and the judges for making this year’s ceremony such a great success.
MCG Leads the Way with Most Reed Award Finalists
With finalists in over half the Reed Award direct mail categories, MCG is proud to continue producing award winning direct mail and print communication on behalf of its clients. With seven nominations, MCG has more potential Reed Award winning pieces in the direct mail category than any other firm:
- Direct Mail – Best Villain
- Direct Mail – County, Local and Judicial Candidate
- Direct Mail – Independent Expenditure
- Direct Mail – National Public Affairs Advocacy
- Direct Mail – Toughest Direct Mail Piece
- Direct Mail – Best Overall Biographical
- Signage and Logo Material – Billboard/Bus Signs
The Reed Awards were created by Politics Magazine in 2009 to recognize “outstanding achievement in campaign excellence.” This year’s judges include Mark McKinnon, Christine Pelosi, Mark Penn, Bill Schneider, Steve Scully, Bob Shrum, George Stephanopoulos, Chuck Todd, Christine Todd Whitman and dozens of other recognized political experts. Winners will be announced in Washington, DC on January 29th.
MCG Encourages You to Assist Haiti in Any Way You Can
The aftermath of the devastating earthquake that brought an already ailing nation to its knees is a reminder of how fortunate we are, even in these trying economic times. To help with relief effots in Haiti, Mack|Crounse Group encourages everyone to donate what they can to one of these organizations.
- The American Red Cross accepts online donations and can accept $10 donations charged to your cell phone bill by texting HAITI to 90999.
- UNICEF is now accepting donations through their website.
- Doctors Without Borders is also accepting donations through their website.
University of Nebraska, Jim Crounse, Host David Axelrod at Hoagland Lecture Series
Five hundred people came out to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln last Friday to hear David Axelrod, senior counselor to President Obama, speak at the second annual Peter Hoagland Integrity in Public Service Lecture Series.
Axelrod spoke on a variety of topics, including the President’s strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the President’s recent Nobel Peace Prize and the continuing health care debate, before taking questions from the audience.
The annual lecture series was created by Jim Crounse to honor Congressman Peter Hoagland’s legacy and inspire young people to dedicate themselves to public service. Peter passed away in 2007.
The Lincoln Journal Star wrote of the event:
“Axelrod entertained about 500 people at the Nebraska Champions Club with inside stories about Obama before answering a dozen questions from the audience…
“Axelrod was introduced by Jim Crounse, a former Nebraskan who launched the lecture series honoring Hoagland, who represented metropolitan Omaha's 2nd District in the House from 1989 to 1995...
“Crounse is one of the top Democratic direct mail political consultants in Washington and a friend of Axelrod's.
“During his remarks, Axelrod took note of the 2nd District presidential electoral vote won by Obama in 2008. ‘We're grateful for that,’ he said.”
Read more here: Adviser: Obama ‘wants to be thoughtful, not rash' in Afghanistan, Pakistan
To learn more about the lecture series, visit nufoundation.org/hoagland
MCG Helps Bill de Blasio Win Democratic Runoff in Landslide Victory
Bill de Blasio defeated Mark Green on Tuesday in the Democratic runoff election to become the Democratic nominee for Public Advocate in New York City. In a landslide victory, Bill received 63% of the vote.
MCG is proud to have helped Bill go from a virtual unknown to an upset first-place primary finish, which led to a decisive victory in the runoff election last night.
The New York Times wrote:
"As he has done throughout the campaign, Mr. de Blasio promised he would fight for the needy and the working class and stand up 'when a mayor ignores the little people.'
"'This means supporting senior citizens and the working poor, supporting the homeless and the hungry,' Mr. de Blasio said. 'And more than anything, it means protecting our children from danger'…
"Mr. de Blasio, who came in first in the primary on Sept. 15, proved too formidable an opponent. He raised nearly $1.9 million, more than twice Mr. Green’s total, and collected the lion’s share of endorsements from prominent labor unions."
Congratulations to the de Blasio campaign for their commanding and hard-fought victory!
Read more here: De Blasio and Liu Win in N.Y. Democratic Runoffs
MCG Partner Jim Arnold Joins Leadership Arlington
MCG Partner, Jim Arnold, is honored to join the energized group of Arlington leaders from the private, nonprofit and government sectors participating in Leadership Arlington, Class of 2010. The Leadership Arlington program brings together 48 community leaders with business, professional or personal ties to Arlington for a series of seminars on leadership over the next nine months. The focus is on both honing leadership skills and working to improve life in Arlington. Jim is looking forward to participating in this dynamic program with fellow Arlington leaders!
MCG Helps de Blasio Trigger a Runoff Vote, Winning More Votes Than Any Other Candidate for NYC Public Advocate
In an upset, Bill de Blasio won the most votes of all five candidates in the Democratic Primary for New York City Public Advocate last night. He successfully triggered a runoff vote, where he will run against Mark Green for the Democratic nomination on September 29th.
The New York Times wrote:
But Mr. de Blasio, though a near-unknown outside of his Brooklyn district, presented the strongest challenge to Mr. Green. He campaigned harder and spent more money and eventually raised his citywide profile. He won the support of labor groups, most notably from the Working Families Party, the United Federation of Teachers and the Uniformed Firefighters Association. …
On primary day, Mr. de Blasio orchestrated a superior get-out-the-vote effort, with more than 1,000 volunteers fanned out throughout the city, handing out campaign leaflets.
MCG is proud to have been part of the de Blasio team, and look forward to helping him win the Democratic Primary on September 29th!
Read more here: De Blasio and Green in Runoff for Advocate
