DIMANCHE

By E.J. Ruane 

Grassroots organizers for the "Run Dana Run Campaign" will make a final sprint to City Hall today. Soon to be candidate, Dana Kaplan and campaign supporters will submit the 1,000 signatures necessary to run for City Council, District B.  Starting at 12pm, the Kaplan Campaign will host an official Press Conference and Kickoff Rally for the November Election. Kaplan Campaign manager, Lelia Gowland, told Nola Defender, "The campaign is hosting these events to show our appreciation for the outpouring of support by our volunteers".  Kaplan's campaign collected more than the required 1,000 signatures, a number that excites Kaplan as a candidate.  Gowland mentioned specifics, "Dana will speak to what motivated her to enter the race. Why she is the right person for the job". 

Dana Kaplan will run against Eric Strachan who is Chief of Staff at the District B office and active, Broadmoor Community Leader, LaToya Cantrell in November's election.  Kaplan is Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Project in Louisiana--a unique position for the council election.  The nonprofit focuses on reforming the juvenile justice system through improving current facilities and providing alternatives outside the juvenile justice system.  The organization is also committed to public school reform; their focus being the school to prison pipeline. As council woman, “Dana will work to bring meaningful jobs to New Orleans and improve and strengthen neighborhoods, while continuing her effort to reduce crime and make our streets safer."

After Kaplan's day events, Victory Restaurant (339 Baronne) will host the Kaplan Campaign Kickoff Party starting at 5:30. Gowland described the event to NoDef as "an opportunity for campaign staff to say thank you to those who work tirelessly on Dana's campaign".  Fundraising is not the priority for the Party, rather, "We want to get folks not typically involved in the political process to come out and get excited about the election in November" Gowland states. All are welcome to Kaplan Campaign events tomorrow at City Hall and Victory Restaurant.