There Are More Great Progressives In Georgia Besides Regina Thomas-- Meet Dr. Kenneth Samuel

-by Mary Jean Collins

As DWT readers know full well, it is not everyday that a really progressive candidate is willing to take on a race in a Democratic primary for a legislative seat currently held by a fellow Democrat. I want to introduce an outstanding candidate for the 89th House legisatlive district in Georgia: Dr. Kenneth L. Samuel. I met Ken Samuel a number of years ago when I was the National Field Director at People For the American Way. People For has a unique project organizing African American pastors in local communities providing information and a place to discuss and formulate progressive policies that serve their communities. Ken is an active leader of the Council.  

Dr. Samuel was licensed as a Minister on his 23rd birthday, August 5, 1979, at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia under the pastorate of the Reverend Doctor Joseph L Roberts, Jr, and Pastor Emeritus, Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr. He was also ordained at Ebenezer Church in 1982. In March of 1987 Dr. Samuel organized the Victory for the World Church located in Stone Mountain Georgia, a growing suburb of Atlanta; and for those of you who are familiar with Dr. King's "I have a Dream" speech, Stone Mountain was one of the places he wanted to "let freedom ring."  Ken Samuel is doing his part to make that dream come true.  

When I met Dr. Samuel, he was already pastor of Victory for the World Church a church with over 4000 members. The church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, a progressive Christian denomination. Under the leadership of Dr. Samuel, the Church's mission is one of providing services to all persons and working toward the spiritual and social empowerment of all people. His church is one that welcomes all people and including people who identify as lesbian, gay or transgender. 

Ken is serving as the Vice-Chair of the African Amercan Leadership Council of People for the American Way; is a Trustee Board Member of the Pacific School of Religion (Berkeley,CA); Board Member of the Leadership DeKalb (the premier Leadership Development Program in DeKalb County GA; Religious Advisory Board Member of the National Black Justice Coalition and past President of the DeKalb County, Georgia Branch of the NAACP. He is a community leader and a fighter for justice.

I'm supporting Ken because he has proven his courage, his leadership, by taking stands in supporting legislative changes as a minister and a citizen. He will fight for jobs, health care, fight discrimination and work to build a progressive presence in the Georgia House. We want him to join the incredible leader Alisha Thomas Morgan who has stood up to the old line Democratic power in the Georgia House and is moving legislation on very progressive issues. I can't wait to see what he will be able to do as an elected official in Georgia! 

I'm not one to get involved much in symbolic races. This race is winnable. Ken and his team are working hard every day to make sure he has the votes to win the primary election on July 20. He has a Facebook presence and is creating a field operation. He has enthusiastic volunteers already working. The campaign needs more resources and I feel that if people know about this race, they will support it and Ken will win.

As you know, the party is not going to help a progressive defeat a sitting Democrat. It's often the case that organizations that support Democrats won't step up in a primary and admit that the current legislator is just not doing what's needed. For progressives, we need to recognize that when someone is courageous and capable of making a good race and has a chance of winning, we ought to step up with our contributions and shoe leather to help elect a progressive to office. 

People For the American Way Action Fund has made an endorsement of Dr. Samuel and they are raising money for the campaign. They are sponsoring a reception for Ken on Tuesday, April 27, if you are in DC please come by at 5:30 -7:00, 2000 M St. NW, Suite 400.   

Contributions cannot be given through ActBlue because GA doesn't permit bundling. So go to the web site: http://kennethsamuel4ga.com/.