Former Diplomat Jeff Beals Launches NY-19 Campaign, announces “Eleven County” grassroots strategy

WOODSTOCK, NY – On Friday, June 16, Woodstock resident Jeff Beals announced his run for the NY-19 Congressional seat held by Rep. John Faso. Speaking outside the Ulster County Courthouse, Beals addressed a crowd of more than 120 supporters from counties all over the district and laid out a grassroots-focused “Eleven County Strategy”, as well a series of citizen-led forums on issues including healthcare, agriculture and small business.

The full remarks of Jeff’s speech can be found here.

Beals, a high school history teacher in Woodstock, began his career as an intelligence officer at the CIA, rose to become a diplomat in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and later became one of the longest-serving U.S. diplomats of the Iraq war.  He was decorated by the U.S. Army and the State Department for his achievements mediating the drafting of Iraq’s constitution and opening America’s first diplomatic talks with the insurgency. He has been a leading political organizer in the district.

“I’ve come back to the Hudson Valley after service abroad to raise my family and give back to the place that gave so much to me,” Beals said. “I was part of a generation that thought we had won the Cold War and only needed to fight for democracy overseas, but I’ve come to believe it’s even more important to defend democracy here at home.”

Beals announced an “Eleven County Strategy” to build on his extensive grassroots network across the district.  He was introduced by activists, organizers and students from several counties, including former USDA Farm Service Agency official James Barber (Schoharie County); Bard College Professor Donna Grover (Dutchess County); Kingston High School student Kira Milgrim (Ulster County), Maguire Benton of the Otsego County Young Democrats, and Delaware County health care professional Janet Tweed.  Leaders and activists from Greene County were also in attendance.

“Some people think that we just have to give up on some parts of the district,” Beals said. “But I’m on the side that says our message can resonate everywhere, and we can win everywhere. We can do it by opening our minds and our ears and working to win every last vote.”

Beals also previewed a series of policy forums, led by citizen experts, that he will hold over the next several months. The first forum will be focused on health care, and will be held in July.

“We’re going to bring together the best minds and most committed activists for roundtables on every issue we care about,” Beals said. “We have the ideas to solve the biggest problems in our district, right here.”

Beals lives with his wife and two sons in Woodstock, where he teaches high school courses in American History, Civics, Ancient History & World Religions. His family has had a farm in the Hudson Valley for decades.

“We are going to do something the gerrymanderers never dreamed was possible,” he said. “We’re going to turn this sprawling district into a community.”

Photos of the event can be found here, or email press@jeffbealsforcongress for larger files or video. For more information about Jeff Beals’ campaign, visit http://www.bealsforcongress.com.