Ellen Cohen Announces 2008 Campaign Kick-Off

Feb. 4, 2008 in Press Releases

State Representative Ellen Cohen will kick-off her 2008 campaign on Thursday, February 21st at Bammel Hall, located at 3215 Westheimer, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Cohen will offer remarks at 6:30 after introductions by supporters Mica Mosbacher and Mayor Bill White.

In 2006, Ellen Cohen won by the largest margin of any challenger to an incumbent in all Texas House races. During the 80th Legislative Session, Cohen focused on her campaign themes of improving health care, public education, environmental concerns, and respecting personal life decisions. She is unopposed in the March 4th Democratic Primary.

One of her biggest successes was as the House’s first sponsor of Proposition 15, which created the Cancer Research and Prevention Institute of Texas. The $3 billion measure will help numerous facilities like MD Anderson, Baylor College of Medicine, and Methodist Hospital fund advanced cancer research projects while also significantly increasing the investment in cancer prevention programs. Cohen actively campaigned alongside her Legislative colleagues and cancer activist Lance Armstrong for passage of Prop. 15. It received over 66% of the votes in House District 134.

The other major legislative accomplishment was House Bill 1751, creating the Adult Entertainment Fee. The measure will fund $25 million worth of programs to support the survivors of sexual assault across Texas while also providing significant funding for hospital districts for indigent care, saving property tax dollars for homeowners. Currently, 54 out of the 254 counties in Texas have no services available for sexual assault survivors.

Ellen’s record of leadership during her first session is testimony to her ability to listen to the concerns and issues affecting her district. “She pledged she would represent the district to the Legislature, not a party to the district, and this is precisely what she has done,” said Bill Kelly, Cohen’s Chief of Staff. Ellen looks forward to welcoming everyone to her kick-off party.

For further information and/or to RSVP to the February 21st event, please call 713.660.0899 or email us at info@ellencohen.org.