Saujani Says She's Going to Challenge Maloney

It’s official. Reshma Saujani, the former HillPAC lawyer who raised $1 million for John Kerry in 2004, is going to run in a primary against Rep. Carolyn Maloney in Manhattan. Last month I wrote about how Saujani was preparing to run, but didn't get her to talk.

In an email sent to supporters at 11:31 a.m., Saujani said she's going to do it. “It is critical to the future of the campaign that we raise a significant amount of money by years' end - just seven weeks from now. We cannot bring about change in Congress without you.”

She’s also up with a web site, FaceBook and Twitter account.

It will be tough. She's taking on an incumbent who, despite an aborted Senate run and unfortunate verbal slippage, hasn’t been tarred with any major scandal, and maintains the loyalty of many Democratic officials at the local level. (Considerably less so at the statewide and federal levels.)

Saujani does refer to herself as a “community organizer” and talks about “change” to congress, but doesn’t hint at where she differs from Maloney substantively.

Anyway, here’s her email, which a reader forwarded to me.

---------- Forwarded message ----------

 

From: Reshma Saujani <####@reshma2010.com>

Date: Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 11:31 AM

Subject: I'm running.

To: ### <###@email.com>

Friends,

I am writing to you with exciting news.

Over the past several months, many community leaders and activists have reached out to me about running for Congress in the 14th District of New York. Today, after careful consideration and much consultation, I officially launched the Reshma for Congress Exploratory Committee.

As many of you know, I have been a lifelong community activist with a deep commitment to public service. When I first told you that I was contemplating a congressional run, the typical response I received was, "Well, it's about time."

I am so grateful for the support you have given me over the past several years. You have stood by me and offered your assistance and encouragement in every endeavor I have worked on - from registering voters to working on campaigns. I could not embark on this campaign without each and every one of you. And as I take this next step, I am asking for your support again. I fully realize that the road ahead will be challenging. But I believe these tough economic times call for new leadership in Washington in order to address the critical issues facing the 14th District and the nation at large.

To help get our campaign off the ground, we are asking you to do three things:

First, visit and direct your networks to our new website - http://www.reshma2010.com - and sign up for campaign updates to follow our progress.

Second, use your online and social media networks to promote our campaign. We've assembled a great team of experts in social media and online campaigns, so stay tuned for additional information about the creative ways we will be engaging voters and supporters and how you can directly contribute to these efforts. But, for now, please follow @reshmacongress on Twitter, and send the Reshma For Congress fan page on Facebook to your friends.

Third, please make a contribution at http://www.reshma2010.com/donate

It is critical to the future of the campaign that we raise a significant amount of money by years' end - just seven weeks from now. We cannot bring about change in Congress without you. I know times are tough - after all, that's why I'm committing myself to this effort. I realize that I am asking each of you to make a financial sacrifice during a difficult economic climate. But I hope you will invest in me and in our campaign. The maximum individual contribution is $4,800. Please make a contribution in any amount you can, and I hope you will also commit to raise additional funds from your personal network.

Showing strong support in the first months of our launch is invaluable to demonstrating that we can and will run a viable campaign. I have no doubt that we can demonstrate this quickly with your help.

Finally, I'd like to end on a personal note. Many of you have known me for a long time. We've worked together on a number of past campaign efforts. You know that I'm not one to start something that I don't plan to finish. I want you to know that I plan to put everything I have into this campaign. I want to lead so that each citizen has a chance at the American Dream. My family is living proof of that dream. I am committed to ensuring that this district and our nation continues to be a place of opportunity and hope for the next generation and for people of all walks of life. It is the debt I owe for the freedom and possibility that my family found here 35 years ago, and for the opportunity that I've been given in my own life.

Sincerely,

Reshma Saujani

http://www.reshma2010.com/

http://twitter.com/reshmacongress

Paid for by Reshma for Congress Exploratory Committee

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