Sammies Award Finalists Announced

Sam Adams Alliance to award $60,000 to top citizen leaders at April 8 awards show in Chicago

CONTACT: Rachel Stewart
Phone: 312-920-0080
Email:media@samadamsalliance.org

CHICAGO – The Sam Adams Alliance (SAM) announced today the finalists for their 4th annual Sammies awards. The Sammies recognize ordinary Americans who take extraordinary steps to serve their fellow citizens through their engagement as watchdogs, reformers, messengers, and strategists. John Stossel of the Fox Business Network will deliver the keynote address at this year’s event.

The theme for this year’s Sammies “Redrawing the Lines” celebrates how activists in 2010 redrew the battle lines in American politics, erasing “R” and “D,” fusing red and blue, blurring conservative and liberal, and creating a bright contrast between political professional and citizen.

“This year, we were looking for real game changers who redrew the lines on the political landscape and re-imagined how Americans can engage in their democracy,” said Yvonne Ralsky, Executive Director of the Sam Adams Alliance. “Our theme, ‘Redrawing the Lines,’ reflects the passionate citizen-led realignment of people versus politicians in America that is very much alive from Madison to Modesto today.”

For the first time this year, SAM enlisted the help of a distinguished panel of judges:

Congressman Bob Beauprez – author, commentator, and former Member of Congress from Colorado
Andrew Breitbart – webmaster, editor, commentator, and author
Guy Benson – Political Editor, Townhall.com and political talk show host
Keli Carender – blogger and Tea Party activist
Jack Fowler – Publisher of National Review Magazine and National Review Online
Stewart McLaurin – Executive Director of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration
Brad Thor – New York Times Bestselling author

Also, this year, the award categories include a non-cash prize to a public servant holding their institution to a higher level of integrity and responsibility.

Winners of the $60,000 prize money will be announced at the awards gala in Chicago on April 8, 2011. The 4th annual Sammies finalists are:

the Messenger – Prize: $10,000 – In the spirit of Paul Revere, who warned the colonists and, more importantly, knew which doors to knock on, The Messenger is a master of the media, awakening the American people to the principles and cause of liberty.

Finalists:

Kevin Dujan, Chicago, IL
Ben Domenech, Alexandria, VA and Brad Jackson, Austin, TX
Fran Eaton, Oak Forest, IL

the Public’s Servant – No cash prize – This honoree holds themselves and their institution to a higher level of responsibility. From school board leader to congressman, the public servant awardee has enacted or helped to enact tangible improvements to their district or community from their elected or appointed position.

Finalists:

Hon. Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin
Hon. Ken Cuccinelli, Attorney General of Virginia
Michelle Rhee, former Chancellor, District of Columbia Public Schools

the Reformer – Prize: $10,000 – The Reformer is a leader in their community who works to improve and make more responsive-and responsible-the institutions of government. The Reformer is someone who organized reform measures that contributed to better government.

Finalists:

Tim Eyman, Mukilteo, WA
Peter Robyn, Bennettsville, SC
Brian Aitken, Hoboken, NJ

the Watchdog – Prize: $10,000 – Government without watchdogs is like a free all-you-can-eat-buffet. The Watchdog is a citizen who took risks by blowing the whistle or effectively making known information that promotes good government, good citizenship, or both.

Finalists:

Rob Port, Minot, ND
Ben Joravsky, Chicago, IL
Jason Gillman, Traverse City, MI and Chetly Zarko, Lansing, MI

the Rookie – Prize: $10,000 – In 2010, newcomers to the political scene accomplished what professional politicians couldn’t. The Rookie is someone who engaged in politics for the first time. Please submit an inspiring story about how you engaged and what you accomplished.

Finalists:

Jared Rhoads, Boston, MA
Toby Marie Walker, Waco, TX
Omid Malekan, Muttontown, NY

Modern Day Sam Adams – Prize: $20,000 – Like the original Samuel Adams, this strategist sparked a revolution, redrawing the lines of the political landscape. The Strategist united people behind a vision that successfully acted as both change agent and connector.

Winner of the Modern Day Sam Adams award will be chosen from among the finalists and will be announced April 8 at the award show.

For more information on each Finalist, please visit www.samadamsalliance.org/programs/sammies/the-finalists.aspx.

For tickets, please visit www.samadamsalliance.org/programs/sammies.aspx.

Founded in 2006, the Sam Adams Alliance is a non-profit, non-partisan organization helping Americans preserve democracy, freedom, and the America the Founders envisioned. For more information, visit www.samadamsalliance.org.