On Saturday, July 31, a cocktail party and dinner will be held in the Pines to help raise money for Democratic nominee Jim Stork in his bid for Congress representing Florida’s 22nd Congressional District. Cocktails will be at the home of William Hayden and Ron Perkov from 6pm to 8pm, followed by dinner at the neighboring home of Beau Clarke and Tony Moran, from 8pm to 10pm.

Known personally by many Pines residents who winter in Fort Lauderdale, Jim is running against conservative Republican incumbent Clay Shaw in one of the top races targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as winnable.

As an openly gay candidate, a successful small businessman and former Mayor of Wilton Manors, a gay-friendly community outside of Fort Lauderdale, Jim represents at age 37 the next generation of national leadership. Jim’s views on a variety of issues, such as support of universal health care, equal access to higher education, protection of civil rights, government fiscal responsibility, homeland security and coastal preservation, will make him an important voice in the US Congress on issues important to most Democrats.

Florida will again be a critical swing state in the 2004 Presidential election, and financial support of the Jim Stork campaign from outside of the 22 District will have an impact on helping the Democratic Party both gain control of Congress and the White House. Every voter that Jim turns out for his Congressional race is another vote for the Kerry/Edwards ticket.

Jim has received the endorsement from key organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, Victory Fund and the AFL-CIO Chapters in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, as well as several members of Congress (and Pines residents) who are hosting events for him in their cities.