For immediate release
May 27, 2009

Carl Ray of Washington, Ill, released the following statement today.

"Today I am announcing my intention to run for the seat representing the 18^th Congressional District. Throughout my military and civilian careers, I have worked with people from all walks of life and successfully led groups in peacetime and wartime. I am confident that I am ready to meet this challenge.

"Working Americans are tapped out. Even before our country plunged into the current recession, the average American’s standard of living was threatened. Despite tremendous improvements in worker productivity, wages have stagnated. Health care costs have risen faster than inflation and taxes continue to climb. This needs to stop. We need to look beyond party and ideology and work together for sensible solutions that will ensure that:

1. If you work 40 hours a week, you should be able to earn a living.
2. The street you live on should always be kept clean and safe.
3. Your children should be able to go to a good school and get a solid education.
4. When you or someone in your family gets sick, you should be able to see the doctor of your choice.
5. When you reach retirement age, you should be able to live with dignity.

Restoring the middle class will be my top priority and as your congressman I will use whatever tools are available to accomplish the job."

A more formal announcement will come in late summer to begin the start of petition signings.