EDWARDS CAMPAIGN TO AIR SUPPORTER-CREATED AD IN FEBRUARY 5TH STATE
Winning entry in “My Vote, My Voice” ad contest focuses on Edwards’ commitment to rural America
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, the John Edwards for President campaign announced the grand prize winner of the “My Vote, My Voice” ad contest, an entry entitled “Dear Rural America” created by brothers Neil and Drew Schimmenti of San Jose, California. On Tuesday, the Schimmenti brothers flew to New York City to meet with Sen. Edwards and to develop their concept into a 30-second television spot. The campaign will air the Schimmenti’s ad in Oklahoma prior to the February 5th Super Tuesday primary.
“John’s pledge to rural America is genuine,” said Neil Schimmenti. “We wanted to contribute to this effort with a simple message that help is on the way.”
“There is a big difference between being politically aware and politically active,” said Drew Schimmenti. “We made this video because we care about our country and want to influence its direction.” Originally from Nantucket, Massachusetts, the Schimmenti brothers currently live in San Jose, California, where they are passionate about progressive politics, creating social change and both contribute to lateforlife.com.
Edwards’ commitment to helping rural America has been central to his campaign. Born and raised in rural mill towns in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, Sen. Edwards’ proposed “Rural Recovery Act” is a bold and comprehensive economic recovery plan for rural America, the details of which can be found on the campaign’s website at http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/rural/. Yesterday, in his hometown of Seneca, South Carolina, Edwards concluded a two-day “Back Home, Back Roads Barnstorm” of the Palmetto State’s small, rural towns, joined by special guests including Grammy-award winning musician Dr. Ralph Stanley, actor and activist Danny Glover and former Georgia Congressman and “Dukes of Hazzard” star Ben “Cooter” Jones.
The Edwards campaign launched the “My Vote, My Voice” contest on December 28th, 2007, offering everyday Americans the chance to have their voice heard by creating an original ad describing why they support John Edwards. In the weeks that followed, the campaign was flooded with entries from across the country.
The Schimmenti brothers’ grand prize winning entry was chosen by a panel of judges including: Elizabeth Edwards, Edwards national campaign manager Congressman David Bonior, Elizabeth Edwards’ brother and NYU Tisch Film School professor Jay Anania, actor and activist James Denton, bloggers Jane Hamsher and Christy Hardin Smith of FireDogLake, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Joe Wineke, and Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.
