News
TAA puts hopes in Kumar
Looking for a print version?
Simply use your browser’s ‘Print’ command and a printer-friendly document will be generated automatically.
Also by Heather Quitos:
- In-Depth: Spending money to make money (April 26, 2007)
- J-Cheezy, UW kick off challenge (April 20, 2007)
- In-Depth: Looking inside UW's closet (April 12, 2007)
- Recruiters face diversity issue (March 26, 2007)
- Tag-team academics (March 14, 2007)
Sharing tools:
E-mail this article:
The Madison branch of the Teaching Assistant's Association announced its public endorsement of Ashok Kumar's candidacy for the Dane County Board District 5 Supervisor Wednesday.
Kumar, a University of Wisconsin junior, is one of four candidates in a highly contested race for a local seat opening.
"I'm very proud," Kumar said. "Even though I'm not a T.A. or a graduate student, their issues matter to me and I'll stand up for labor issues at the county board."
According to Kumar, the members "overwhelmingly" supported the endorsement with a vote of 30 to 5.
TAA Political Education Committee Chair Mike Quieto said the members were highly impressed with Kumar's campus activism and knowledge of county issues.
Quieto said the branch had the opportunity to talk with three of the candidates and got a "really good sense" about each of them.
"We were impressed with the level of detailed knowledge about the role of governance," he said. "Ashok clearly demonstrated a stronger command about what the county board does."
Quieto emphasized the importance of knowledge about the county board's jurisdiction, adding while some candidates had good ideas, they concerned policies the county board cannot regulate.
"He was able to make the connections between what needs to get done and pin it to what the county board can do about it," he said. "It really makes a difference between a supervisor and the token student on the board."
Kumar, who is already endorsed by the South Central Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, said he was "flattered" by the support received from the association, adding his activism on campus in student movements like the campus apparel reform reflects his progressive platform.
"They've always voted for progressive labor candidates," he added. "And I've worked on labor issues all my life."
Putting together a platform is hard, Quieto said, adding he was pleased with Kumar's overall platform.
"It's a good broad platform that ties together issues that affect the district and resonates with broad district issues," he said.
With the public endorsement, Kumar said the support of 3,000 members and additional financial support will be helpful.
Quieto said the branch was "genuinely wowed" by Kumar.
"It makes you feel good about democracy, to pick someone not because you don't like the other guy," he added. "He's got a good head on his shoulders and he knows his issues."
2 Comments | Leave a comment
Leave a comment
Herald Blogs
The Beat Goes On
Muckrakers
President’s Visit Marked a Speech to One of the Last Groups Not Critical of Him
Extra Points
Top Classified Ads (view all)
HOUSES FOR Fall 2010. All houses are on W Dayton or N Bassett. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 bedrooms. All have parking. madisoncampusrentals.com
Kumar’s platform is nice and broad. Too bad he lacks any details and, well, plans for implementing any of these great changes.
Too bad he still has more details than any of the other candidates, and, well, also has more experience than any of the others. He has continually shown the drive and motivation to get things done, and whether or not you agree with his politics, you have to admit that he gets things done, and he’s very passionate about what he believes in. Lapidus always likes to parrot that he was the only candidate on a major ASM committee this year—unfortunately, Ashok was elected to council as a freshman by the largest number of votes ever (in fall elections) and served on finance committee that year, and chaired the Academic Affairs committee the following year. But Lapidus won’t remember this, because Ashok did all of that while Lapidus was still in high school.