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Jim Dean (DFA)
Encyclopedia
James H. "Jim" Dean is chair of Democracy for America
(DFA), the nation's largest political action committee
based in Burlington, Vermont
.
DFA was founded in 2004 after the presidential campaign of Dean's brother, former Vermont Governor
Howard Dean
. Jim Dean has raised money, given speeches, and organized for DFA in his home state of Connecticut
. He is “committed to strengthening grassroots participation and the recruitment and election of fiscally responsible and socially progressive candidates to all levels of government” through Democracy for America.
Dean currently travels across the country promoting grassroots and progressive activism in all levels of government through DFA’s training academies. Dean also takes part in national fund-raising efforts for the organization.
Jim Dean frequently appears on various media outlets and programs, including “Meet the Press,” "Air America Radio," “This is America” with Jon Elliott, “The Bev Smith Show”, and the “Thom Hartmann Program.”
In an interview with Truthout.com, Dean is quoted as saying, “Democracy is not a spectator sport, and politics is way too important to be left up to the politicians.”
Jim Dean also raised money for his brother's previous political campaigns, and worked full-time on Howard Dean's first race, his 1986 run for lieutenant governor
of Vermont
.
Before 2002, Dean worked in marketing, business development, and sales at Yankelovich Partners and Greenfield Online.
Jim, his wife Virginia, and their three children live in Fairfield, Connecticut
. James, Howard, and their brother Bill were brothers of the late Charles Dean
.
Democracy for America
Democracy for America is a progressive, people-powered political action committee, headquartered in South Burlington, Vermont. Founded by former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean in 2004, DFA leads public awareness campaigns on a variety of public policy issues, trains activists,...
(DFA), the nation's largest political action committee
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
based in Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
.
DFA was founded in 2004 after the presidential campaign of Dean's brother, former Vermont Governor
Governor of Vermont
The Governor of Vermont is the governor of the U.S. state of Vermont. The governor is elected in even numbered years by direct voting for a term of two years; Vermont and bordering New Hampshire are the only states to hold gubernatorial elections every two years, instead of every four...
Howard Dean
Howard Dean
Howard Brush Dean III is an American politician and physician from Vermont. He served six terms as the 79th Governor of Vermont and ran unsuccessfully for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2005 to 2009. Although his U.S...
. Jim Dean has raised money, given speeches, and organized for DFA in his home state of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. He is “committed to strengthening grassroots participation and the recruitment and election of fiscally responsible and socially progressive candidates to all levels of government” through Democracy for America.
Dean currently travels across the country promoting grassroots and progressive activism in all levels of government through DFA’s training academies. Dean also takes part in national fund-raising efforts for the organization.
Jim Dean frequently appears on various media outlets and programs, including “Meet the Press,” "Air America Radio," “This is America” with Jon Elliott, “The Bev Smith Show”, and the “Thom Hartmann Program.”
In an interview with Truthout.com, Dean is quoted as saying, “Democracy is not a spectator sport, and politics is way too important to be left up to the politicians.”
Jim Dean also raised money for his brother's previous political campaigns, and worked full-time on Howard Dean's first race, his 1986 run for lieutenant governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
of Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
.
Before 2002, Dean worked in marketing, business development, and sales at Yankelovich Partners and Greenfield Online.
Jim, his wife Virginia, and their three children live in Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
. James, Howard, and their brother Bill were brothers of the late Charles Dean
Charles Dean
Charles "Charlie" Dean was the brother of Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, Democracy for America Chairman Jim Dean and political activist Bill Dean. In 1974, Charlie, who had been traveling through southeast Asia at the time, was captured and killed by Pathet Lao guerrillas...
.