Shumlin to Introduce Pro-Choice Crusader at Exclusive Gathering of Liberal Donors
Gov. Peter Shumlin will travel to the nation's capital Thursday to address members of the Democracy Alliance, a fundraising alliance Mother Jones has called "the liberal answer to the Koch donor network."
Shumlin, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, will deliver remarks at a Democracy Alliance conference, according to DGA spokesman Danny Kanner. He will then introduce two of the DGA's top recruits for the 2014 election: former Trek Bicycle Corporation executive Mary Burke, who is running for governor of Wisconsin, and Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis, who is running for governor of the Lone Star State.
Davis drew national attention in June when she spent 11 hours filibustering legislation that would have banned abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and imposed new restrictions on doctors who perform abortions. She's expected to face off against Texas attorney general Greg Abbott to succeed Gov. Rick Perry, who's stepping down after three terms.
Founded in 2005 by Democratic strategist Rob Stein, the Democracy Alliance is an invite-only organization that advises liberal mega-donors and coordinates progressive fundraising activities. Members pay $30,000 in annual dues and pledge to contribute $200,000 a year to groups the Democracy Alliance has endorsed, the Los Angeles Times reported in May. The organization has bundled $500 million in contributions to liberal causes since 2005, according to the L.A. Times.
During a recent leadership transition, the Democracy Alliance considered naming former Vermont governor Howard Dean as its next president, but ultimately chose another candidate, the Huffington Post reported last month.
Democracy Alliance spokesman Erick Pleitez did not respond to a request for more information about the group and its conference.
While in Washington, Shumlin will also deliver a keynote address to Autism Speaks' national summit. The trip will be paid for by the DGA, Kanner says.
