Campaign Announcement

December 14, 2007                                   CONTACT:    Deborah Langhoff

                                                                                             504-259-4525

LANGHOFFS JOIN RACES FOR STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Deborah Langhoff to Run for Party Position from District 94

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Community activist Deborah Langhoff announced her candidacy for the Democratic State Central Committee from District 94, on the heels losing a run-off bid to serve the historically conservative district in the Louisiana House of Representatives.

"For the past twelve months, I've spoken everyday with District 94 residents who appreciated having a Democratic choice in the voting booth for the first time in over 20 years.  Even in the most conservative areas, our Party cannot ignore the benefits  of vibrant public debate.  The most ignoble loss we can suffer is the failure to recruit candidates and offer them meaningful support."

Langhoff made a strong showing, a close 3rd among six candidates, in the March special election to replace 32-year Republican incumbent Peppi Bruneau, and by the October regular election, she built enough strength to deny new Republican incumbent Nick Lorusso a primary win, forcing him into a run-off battle for the seat.  District 94 split 60/40 in favor of the Republican incumbent.

 "The Democratic Party needs to support good candidates by asking, 'How can we help?' instead of only asking 'Can you win?'  We can create a more fertile ground for candidates and for Democratic incumbents by broadening discourse into every nook and cranny of Louisiana, every precinct, and every neighborhood meeting."

Langhoff's husband Alan was campaign manager and field coordinator for her campaign.  Alan Langhoff has been a custom software and systems analyst since 1982 and continues to operate Langhoff Consultants in Mid-City.  Langhoff also began the LaRoots database and e-bulletin network in 2004, a communication tool for grassroots activism.   Their daughter Megan, a recent honors graduate from Fordham University Lincoln Center, also worked for the campaign, generating content for literature, the website and position papers.  Since the campaign ended, Megan joined a local law firm as a legal secretary trainee. 

Both will also be on the February 9th ballot as candidates for the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee to be among the 14 elected from Council District A.

"We'd like to bring the energy of our authentic grassroots campaign to the Party structure at the local and state levels."

About Langhoff: 

Deborah and her husband Alan own and operate a computer consulting business in the district. They were the original owners of the Dream Palace – Frenchmen Street’s first music club. Deborah attended local public schools including Gentilly Terrace, McDonough #28 and McDonough High School.  During the 1970’s Langhoff lived in Manhattan and enjoyed a professional ballet career that included working with renowned American ballerinas, Patricia Wilde and Maria Tallchief.  After moving back to New Orleans and starting a family, Langhoff’s devotion to improving New Orleans public schools led to her support and sponsorship of programs in visual and performing arts at Hynes, Franklin, Lusher and NOCCA|Riverfront.

About District 94:

District 94 includes Lake Vista, Lakeshore, Lake Terrace, Lake Oaks, Lakewood, Lakeview, Country Club Gardens, Parkview, City Park, and parts of Mid-City, Gentilly and Faubourg St John.

The election for Democratic Committee leadership positions is set for February 9th, 2008. The last day to register Democratic to vote in this election is January 9, 2008.

More information is available at www.electDeborah.com

 NOTE: If you would like a headshot for media use, please email Media@electDeborah.com

WRDA 2007 

CIVIC ACTION, AUGUST 2, 2007

The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA) H.R.1495, is five years overdue and numerous projects that were identified to stop coastal erosion and protect Louisianans have waited too long for this funding. During the 2004 Kerry/Edwards campaign, we noted that coastal protection for Louisiana would cost $14 billion.  That sum sounds almost modest now when compared with the costs of the devastation caused by the Katrina Disaster and the costs of the Iraq War http://www.nationalpriorities.org/Cost-of-War/Cost-of-War-3.html

WRDA doesn’t guarantee funding but allows Congress to allocate money for projects like these:

$1.9 billion for Louisiana coastal restoration project

$866 million Morganza to Gulf hurricane protection

$160 million Closing of MRGO – closure of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet

La Water Resources Council Peer Review for Army Corps of Engineers projects in the state

Lake Pontchartrain levees to achieve a 100-year level of flood protection

Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Task Force to influence policy and strategies

Now, at a time when America knows how critical coastal stabilization is to our safety, the President once again turns his back on us by threatening his veto, as if we were not Americans, entitled to protection.

WRDA is important for projects of water diversion and flood protection across the country, but in Louisiana it is the difference between life and death.  I’ve sent this letter to those I know who may be interested and ask that you do the same:

Dear Neighbors,

Below is copy of an email that I have just sent to the White House comments@whitehouse.gov  reacting to President Bush's threat to veto the WRDA legislation, which is so critical to Louisiana, New Orleans, and District 94.

The wording is the same as that used in the bi-partisan letter signed by our 9-member Congressional delegation, led by Senator Mary Landrieu, where I changed only the word "We" to "Louisiana" in the last paragraph.

I encourage everyone to:
Read the article in Wednesday's Times Picayune

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1186038179288290.xml&coll=1 
Send the message below in your own email, letter, or fax to the White House, and
Ask your friends and family, here and elsewhere, to do the same, replacing my signature with yours.

Sincerely,
Deborah

August 3, 2007

comments@whitehouse.gov

Dear Mr. President:

We respectfully request you to reconsider your position on HR1495, the conference report on the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA).

Since Congress last enacted a water resources bill in 2000, many of the projects authorized in HR 1495 have been pending for years, including the authorization of critical projects in Louisiana. Furthermore, WRDA includes the historic creation of the Louisiana Coastal Area, a vital and comprehensive program for the restoration of our coast.

Louisiana stands united behind HR 1495 and will support any efforts to override a veto of this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Deborah Langhoff

Neighborhood President
Community Advocate
Recovery Volunteer

Candidate October 20, 2007 for the Louisiana State House of Representatives, District 94, Lakefront to Mid-City

4234 Canal Street New Orleans 70119
8 Bluebird Street New Orleans 70124