Ashwin Madia's endorsement press release

Ashwin Madia's campaign released the following press release concerning his DFL endorsement:

"When this all started last October, few people ever thought we would reach this point, but here we are as the DFL-endorsed campaign in the 3rd Congressional District.

"None of this would've been possible without the great people across the 3rd District who have been willing to give their time, money, energy and commitment to our effort to help America live up to its ideals again. I will never forget the incredible sacrifice and hard work they've put in to help us get where we are today.

"I want to thank Terri Bonoff and her supporters for the courageous and tough campaign they waged at today's convention and over the past six months. Sen. Bonoff and her team have played a big role in recent years by helping to build our party and prove that Democrats can win in the 3rd Congressional District. I have nothing but respect for everything they've done to make the DFL as successful as it's been and I hope to earn their trust and support so we can win in November.

"I also want to thank Mayor Hovland for the strong contribution he made to this race and the work he has done to expand the reach of our party. Jim has served Edina very well and I look forward to working with him in the future.

"By standing together as Democrats and Americans, we can do more than just win this race. We can usher in a new form of patriotism that places solving problems above the same petty Inside-the-Beltway games that have steered our country so far off course.

"If we stand together, we can end the Iraq War responsibly.

"If we stand together, we can combat global warming and build a green economy.

"If we stand together, we can deliver health care to every American.

"If we stand together, we can restore the civil liberties so many have sacrificed so much for.

"This is our time to lead. If we stand together, there's nothing we can't accomplish."

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Madia also announced Saturday that his campaign raised nearly $200,000 in the first quarter of 2008.

As a first-time candidate, Madia stunned political observers last fall by raising more than $160,000 in the final two months of the fourth quarter of 2007.

The campaign will have more information next week after the final review of its FEC report.