Dear Friends,

I wanted to take a special moment to reach out to the members of the Fishkill and Hyde Park Democratic Committees and thank you for your endorsement of this campaign. I am honored to have your support and I look forward to working with all of you to effect meaningful and progressive change here in the district and in the state as a whole.

Here is my commitment to you:

• I will fight everyday for an income based system of funding our education so that those who can afford to pay are carrying the burden.
• We need to reinvest in our education system. The state needs to step up and fund the mandates it sends down to school districts so that our children get the quality education they need to compete in today's world.
• I believe in universal healthcare - it is the right thing to do and it makes economic sense.
• We must take a leadership position in the new energy economy. If we have the courage to lead we can create meaningful jobs in manufacturing and agriculture by investing in new, green energy solutions.

We face many challenges but together we absolutely can make a difference if we are organized and have the visionary leadership to fight for progressive solutions. I am so proud that you are with me in this fight and I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get down to the hard work of beating Joel Miller and working for real reform in Albany.
So again, to the Fishkill and Hyde Park Democratic Committees I thank you for your support.

To those activists and Democrats not on the Fishkill and Hyde Park committees - join us! We will work together on real solutions to our problems. Email me at info@smithforassembly.com and tell me what you like to do. I will get you involved in the fight for better communities and a better New York.

All my best,

Jonathan B Smith

Poughkeepsie Journal Article:

Hyde Park Democrats back Smith
By John Davis
Poughkeepsie Journal
February 26, 2008   

HYDE PARK - The town Democratic Committee has endorsed Jonathan Smith to represent the 102nd District in the state Assembly.
   
Smith is challenging incumbent Joel Miller, R-Poughkeepsie, 64, who is seeking his eighth two-year term representing the towns of Poughkeepsie, Hyde Park, Clinton, LaGrange, Wappinger and Fishkill.   

Smith, 31, a lifelong Democrat, has been a community activist and organizer. He said he has raised more than $125,000 in campaign donations.
   
"Jonathan has shown his commitment to our community time and time again," Bill Ring, chairman of the Hyde Park Democratic Committee, said in a prepared statement. "Whether it's his work for smart economic development, his fight against sprawl, or efforts to provide property tax relief on the board of assessment review, Jonathan has command of all the issues that matter to residents in the 102nd District."   

Smith, who was a founding member of the Hyde Park activist group Stop the Sprawl, said, "I am humbled and honored by the committee's endorsement. I look forward to working with them and all my fellow residents in the 102nd District to build a real movement of reform and change and tackle the many economic, environmental and educational problems plaguing us in New York."

Attorney also seeks nod

Smith faces competition for the Democratic nomination from Gary Levine, 53, a Poughkeepsie attorney.

"It is no surprise the Hyde Park Democratic committee is supporting a wealthy young man, who has concentrated his family money and developing political relationships in Hyde Park since he moved there in 2003," Levine said of Smith. "As a resident of Dutchess County for 50 years and a practicing attorney for 28 years, my relationships are personal and professional. People want me to represent them in Albany not because of party affiliation, but because of trust. To beat Joel Miller in November, the Democratic candidate will need real world experience and broad appeal and I am that candidate."