Letter to Jack Shea

== Fax sent on January 25, 2005 ==
From Mark Rauterkus
Labor Leaders of Pittsburgh
Dear Mr. Shea,
It was nice seeing you on the street downtown today. As promised, here is the fax. 
I am running for the PA Senate, 42nd District. The special election is slated for May 17, 2005. I had pushed for that date for the special election so as to save $200,000 for the state and engage more voters.
I'd love to get your full consideration for an endorsement.
The race shapes up in some special ways. Diven jumps to Republican. He'll get some money from the state folks, but little from the locals. 
But I've been with the city's struggle for years. I know these issues, as well as the issues of the county and the state. I have stood stong as a common-sense citizen and that needs to be noticed. Stepping out as a citizen into the public office race to do the right things -- for the families, for the kids, for the sake of the taxpayers and NOT for corporate give-a-ways -- counts. 
Furthermore, there is more to the political landscape than this race in the 42nd. We've got a mayor's race too. And, I hope to score some advances in the weeks to come so as to jump into that contest and make a splash as an INDEPENDENT. We need to make the Mayor's race in the fall meaningful. Let me share these ideas and others in a meeting. Then let's think long and hard about the endorsement process and my engagements.
Thanks for the consideration, call and appointements.
Mark Rauterkus