More grassroots leaders have thrown their support behind Debra Bowen than any other candidate in the May 17 Special Election to replace Jane Harman in CD 36. Prominent leaders on issues ranging from healthcare, environment, education, public safety and civil rights have endorsed Debra. They cite her courage to stand up to special interests, her innovative forward-thinking leadership and her record of working across party lines to pass legislation that strengthens communities and the nation.

Below is what leaders are saying about Debra Bowen's leadership:

Deborah Burger, Co-President of the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United
"Debra is a leader for high quality health care that is accessible for all. Patients can count on Debra Bowen to put the health care needs of our community ahead of the profit motives of the insurance industry."

Chuong Vo, Torrance Police Officers Association Board of Directors Member
"Debra has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with law enforcement and today we stand with her. When it comes to public safety, Debra is best prepared to fight for what we need to protect the public."

Governor Howard Dean, Former Democratic National Committee Chairman
"I'm proud to endorse Debra Bowen — an intelligent, humble, and passionate public servant who has the courage to stand up to the special interests and has the record to back it up. We simply cannot afford to let the opportunity to send a progressive leader like Debra to Washington pass us by."

Warner Chabot, Chief Executive Officer, California League of Conservation Voters
"Bowen will be a needed breath of fresh air in Washington, at a time when Congress is not only lacking environmental leadership but when the majority has become downright hostile towards any attempt to protect open spaces, improve public health, and protect clean air and water."

Ron Cottinham, President of Peace Officers Research Association of California
"After careful review of the candidates, we determined that Debra Bowen is the best candidate to represent the 36th Congressional District on public safety issues. We appreciate her concerted efforts to seek input on public safety and law enforcement issues and strongly endorse Debra Bowen for Congress."

Al Sattler, Political Chair for the Palos Verdes-South Bay Regional Group of the Sierra Club
"Without a doubt, Debra Bowen stands out on environmental protection issues more than any other candidate in this election. With Debra, we know we will have a strong advocate for the environment in Congress who will not back down from oil and gas special interests and will stand up for our clean air and water."

Lori Geittmann, Beach Cities Democratic Club President
"Beach Cities Democratic Club is proud to endorse Debra Bowen for Congress because of her record as a leader in protecting our beaches and our environment. Last month both Secretary of State Bowen and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn met with Club members and after looking at their records, Club members enthusiastically voted to back grassroots candidate Debra Bowen to represent the district in Congress."

Equality California Interim Executive Director Jim Carroll
"Equality California PAC only endorses candidates who support full equality for the entire lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and Debra Bowen has a long track record of standing with our community when we've needed her most. We are confident that she will remain a vocal champion for equality in Congress and a committed leader that all Californians can count on."

Patty Bellasalma, President of the California National Organization for Women (NOW)
"Debra's impressive record of supporting equality for women in the workplace, education and healthcare makes her the best candidate running to represent the families of the 36th Congressional District."

Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America
"Debra has been an outstanding Secretary of State and she'll make an outstanding Congresswoman for California's 36th District."

Dr. Ray Gen, El Segundo Teachers Association member
"As our representative in Sacramento, she helped pass legislation that helped reduce class sizes, upgrade and modernized schools, and that created jobs. No one is better prepared than Debra Bowen to represent us in Congress."

Jonathan Bash, Bruin Democrats President
"Debra Bowen is the real deal and she's the only candidate with a record of improving access and affordability to higher education, protecting the environment, creating green jobs for the future, and making government more transparent. When it comes to courage and integrity, Debra Bowen's political courage and personal integrity are unmatched and we strongly endorse her candidacy."

Recently the Bowen Campaign presented a video of supporters that express "Why I Support Debra." The video is available at http://bit.ly/kqOFYX