February 12, 2008

Congressional Candidate Tracey Brooks Begins “7 Counties in 7 Days” Tour of the 21st Congressional District
Campaigns today in Rensselaer, Schenectady, Montgomery and Fulton Counties Future events planned for Schoharie, Saratoga and Albany Counties

Tracey Brooks today announced and commenced a tour of all seven counties in the 21st Congressional District, starting what will be daily conversations with local residents, business owners and community leaders throughout the region.

“I’m running for Congress because the people of the Capital Region are calling for change, they want Congress to set the right priorities, they want someone who will listen to them and fight for them in Washington,” said Brooks. “For the last three years, I’ve been listening to people throughout the region and working with them to solve their problems. Today, we’re visiting communities in four counties to talk about education, health care, economic development and supporting small businesses – the people’s priorities.”

Brooks is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 21st Congressional District, a seat currently held by Democratic Congressman Mike McNulty who last year announced his intention to retire from Congress. Yesterday, Brooks received the endorsement of Congressman McNulty’s sister Green Island Mayor Ellen McNulty Ryan.

“On Thursday, we launched a high-tech campaign with a new website; YouTube video release; ActBlue, MySpace and Facebook pages; online fundraising and volunteer programs; and with robo-calls to hundreds of government and community leaders,” said Brooks. “Now, we’re back to the basics – visiting our local small businesses, talking to community organizations and walking down our Main Streets.”

Brooks begins the day focused on education with a tour of Tech Valley High School in Rensselaer County where she will speak to a World History Class.  Brooks then heads to Schenectady County to visit the Home Town Health Center at State Street and discuss community health center cuts under President Bush.

She then heads to Amsterdam in Montgomery County, to tour Breton Industries and talk about manufacturing in the 21st Congressional District. Brooks then finishes the day at the Open Window, a local business on Main Street in Gloversville, Fulton County. There, Brooks will talk about small businesses and how they are an integral part of community building and economic development. 

Brooks noted: “I’m looking forward to meeting people in all our local communities, listening to them and continuing to work with them. For me, this is the most exciting and interesting part of the campaign.”

As a lifelong resident of the Albany area and the Capitol Regional Director for Senator Hillary Clinton for the last three years, Brooks enters the race with working knowledge of the problems facing the region and experience in finding solutions to them.

“Congressman McNulty has said that continuing to spend billions of dollars in Iraq is the wrong priority for our country, while the right priority is to invest that money in solving our problems right here at home,” said Brooks. “I agree with Congressman McNulty and will work hard to bring our troops home, jumpstart the economy, provide comprehensive health care reform, support our local farmers and small businesses, address the growing housing issues and push for more clean renewable energy.”

To learn more about Tracey Brooks, please visit www.traceybrooks.com.