Today the Dan O’Connor campaign unveiled its, “End the War on Drugs Moneybomb,” aimed at generating support from individuals who support ending the federal “War on drugs.”

“The premise of the war on drugs is fundamentally flawed,” said Campaign Manager David Rudnick. “These policies have contributed to a rapid increase of incarceration rates and currently the United States imprisons more of its own citizens than any other country in the world.”

Dan O’Connor is challenging sitting Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez in New York’s 7th Congressional District. Velazquez has been on the defensive in what one news outlet called, “The most difficult challenge of her career.”

“The war on drugs also has a serious impact on the families of minority communities,” said Dan O’Connor. “Minorities unfairly make up the majority of those incarcerated on non-violent drug offenses even though statistically they do not consume more narcotics than any other demographic. If there are to be any restrictions on drugs this should be decided by state and local governments, not the Federal Government.”

The moneybomb starts today and continues through April 30. Last month the O’Connor campaign held a successful “Moneybomb” that raised over $10,000 in less than two weeks.

Click here to donate to the Dan O’Connor for Congress campaign.

Campaign Announces Well Over 3,000 Signatures Collected

MANHATTAN, NY - Today NY 7 Congressional candidate Dan O’Connor announced he had collected well over three thousand signatures through an initiative to appear on the ballot in the June 26th Democratic primary.

“I believe this process was a test of strength for our campaign and our results demonstrate we have the organization in place to be a competitor in this race,” said O’Connor’s Campaign Manager David Rudnick. “We are confident our campaign will continue to build off this momentum as we head into the June 26th primary.”

The O’Connor campaign officially filed their signatures with the Board of Elections this morning.

“I am proud of the volunteers who spent so much time and energy helping us collect well over three times the legal requirement of signatures,” said Mr. O’Connor. “I look forward to finalizing my place on the ballot so I can continue to deliver my message of honest and accountable government to the voters of the 7th district.”

Once approved, the signature collection will present a tremendous achievement for the O’Connor campaign as he challenges incumbent Nydia Velazquez. In past years Velazquez has challenged the signatures of nearly all newcomers in an effort to ensure they were not placed on the ballot. So far the race has shaped up to present Velazquez with what many are calling her, “Most serious challenge in years.”

The announcement comes right after the close of the 1st Quarter fundraising numbers were disclosed. Dan O’Connor raised more than $33,000 in the first quarter, a tremendous amount for a first time candidate who receives most of his donations from individuals and not PAC’s or corporations.

For more information on Dan O’Connor’s campaign for Congress, visitwww.DanOConnor2012.com

MANHATTAN, NY -  Today Democratic candidate for Congress Dan O’Connor announced the addition of attorney Gary Sinawski as chief campaign counsel for his campaign. Mr. Sinawski is a Harvard graduate practicing law in New York City and has served a legal adviser or council on a number of campaigns and ballot drives.

“I am pleased to work with the O’Connor campaign in order to ensure voters have a choice this election,” said Sinawski. “Candidates should be allowed to have their voices heard and part of that process is having ballot access.”

Mr. Sinawski has years of experience in both local, state and federal law practice and has at different times represented at various times presidential campaigns, national organizations and some state organizations of the Reform Party, Green Party, Constitution Party, Populist Party, Natural Law Party and New Alliance Party. He has served as chief litigator in more than four dozen ballot access and other fair elections lawsuits in federal and/or state court in 19 states and defended petition challenge litigation in New York during every election cycle since 1983. He also serves as chief attorney for Free & Equal Elections Foundation.

The drive to collect valid signatures begins on Tuesday and lasts approximately four weeks. Candidates must acquire at least 937 valid signatures from registered Democrats within the district at which point all signatures are subject to challenge.