Spiegel Campaign Kickoff a Huge Success

For Immediate Release

April 18, 2006

Democratic candidate Ryan Spiegel formally kicked off his campaign for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 17 on Monday, April 17 - with three events in the three municipalities that comprise District 17.

Flanked by several sharp blue campaign banners, Spiegel told the crowds that he has always "felt a calling to serve others by identifying problems in the world around me, and trying my hardest to fix those problems with innovative solutions and with a vision based on a set of strong core values." After announcing his positions on a host of important issues -- including education, transportation, the environment, housing, public safety, and government reform -- Spiegel closed by noting that
District 17 "needs someone with the skills, the temperament, and the core values to represent us in the House of Delegates - someone with the experience of having accomplished goals in the political and public arenas and of having served the community; someone with the integrity to stand for cleaner government and to do what is right even if it not what is popular; and someone with the passion to fight with tenacity and zealous advocacy for those causes that will make our community and our state
better." He continued, "I have the EXPERIENCE, the INTEGRITY, and the PASSION that District 17 needs. And so, it is with humility and excitement and gratitude that I formally announce my candidacy for the Maryland House of Delegates."

Despite the rainy morning and the impending deadline for tax season, good-sized crowds gathered at all three events. The first announcement event took place at the Garrett Park Town Hall, where Spiegel was joined by several supporters and was introduced to the crowd by his Campaign Chairperson, Sandra Bromley. The Mayor of Garrett Park, Carolyn Shawaker, was also in attendance.*

Spiegel made his second stop of the day at Courtyard Square Park in downtown Rockville, where his mother, who is a career-long Maryland public school teacher, delivered a rousing introduction. "Ryan is a teacher's kid," she said. "And as a graduate of a Maryland public high school and as a graduate magna cum laude of the University of Maryland, College Park, Ryan understands that public education is the cornerstone of our democracy and each citizen's key to building a just and productive society. Ryan understands that the teacher is the major factor in a
child's success and to that end, ... Ryan has supported pension reform in order to attract the best and the brightest to the state of Maryland and in order to retain the highly qualified teachers we have trained here at home." Spiegel's mother closed her remarks by adding, "Ryan Spiegel is my son. Called to action. Called to serve the people of Montgomery County, District 17. Called to serve the people of Maryland with
innovation, perseverance, empathy, and courage. Ryan Spiegel is my son -- but he is also the spirit and energy of a new generation of public servants who will work to engage us in our liberties, protect us and guide us to be the best we can be."

Among several others in attendance at the second announcement event was Senator Jennie Forehand, and Deputy State's Attorney John McCarthy also made a brief appearance.*

Spiegel capped off the day with a third announcement event at the Bohrer Park Activity Center in Gaithersburg, a location that reflects the sense of community in our area while also emphasizing the importance of education -- since it is only steps away from Gaithersburg High School and is located off Education Boulevard. There, he was joined by his father, his Campaign Treasurer Jason Altman, and several other friends and supporters.

This ambitious schedule of three events throughout the day reflects Spiegel's commitment to represent all of the people in District 17 and his pledge to be accessible to all of them. Explaining why he chose to have three events on the same day, Spiegel said, "It is important to me to let people know that I care about each and every community in District 17 - from Garrett Park, to Rockville, to Gaithersburg." The text of Spiegel's complete remarks from the day, as well as photos, are available upon request and should be posted on his campaign website in the next couple days.

Ryan Spiegel is an attorney at the law firm of Winston & Strawn LLP, where he dedicates substantial time to pro bono work. He is a graduate of both the University of Maryland and Stanford Law School, where he was an award-winning student leader. Spiegel is also the Chair of Montgomery County's Victim Services Advisory Board and a member of the City of Gaithersburg's Education Committee. Additionally, he is the Democratic Vice Chair for Precinct 09-27 and has served in several other leadership positions for the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, including organizing the 2004 voter protection program and co-chairing the annual Spring Ball. Spiegel also served on the Justice Policy Team for
presidential candidate John Kerry.

Spiegel's public service experience includes internships for Congressman Ben Cardin and federal Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, working on former Governor Parris Glendening's Smart Growth initiative, and a stint at the U.S. State Department helping to prosecute war criminals in The Hague. He has also served as the General Counsel of the Maryland Young Democrats and the District 17 Liaison for the Montgomery County Young Democrats. Additionally, Spiegel and his family are proud graduates of Maryland public schools.

For more information, please call Ryan Spiegel at 301-978-9812 (home) or 410-274-9144 (mobile) or email ryan@ryanspiegel.com or visit www.ryanspiegel.com.

(* Attendance does not necessarily constitute endorsement.)