Candidate Statement by Michael Ramos for Chair of Democrats Abroad-Australia

March 2017

With this statement I declare my candidacy for chairperson of Democrats Abroad-Australia (DAA). My
experience:
I am a proud member of DAA-Victoria. During my membership I have joined in with DAA
colleagues in voicing opposition to the Trump administration, participated in letter-writing campaigns
and petitions, and contributed my ideas to the global DA leaderships Action/Rapid-Response team.
I have personally worked under three members of Congress in both district and Capitol Hill offices.
While serving as a staffer to three congresspersons (U.S. Rep. Lane Evans (D-IL-17), U.S. Sen.
Barack Obama (D-IL), and U.S. Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL-17)), I drafted several pieces of legislation,
wrote numerous congressional speeches, communicated regularly with the press, resolved
constituents issues and concerns with the federal government, and much, much more. I possess
knowledgeable insight and experience into the Legislative Branch and am willing and able to
contribute significantly to matters related to DAA, such as how to effectively communicate with
senators and representatives.
While on the campaign trail of five successful congressional races (those listed above in addition to
the campaigns of U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA-01), U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Rep.
Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), I pounded the pavement knocking on thousands of doors, registered voters,
distributed absentee ballot requests, organized fundraisers, conducted GOTV efforts, supervised
hundreds of volunteers, and more. I have also worked on three presidential races; all of these
campaign roles included grassroots organizing and effective communications with both the campaigns
and everyday voters. In short, I know what it takes for Democrats to win.

As your DAA chair, I will use my political experience to join with you in pushing legislators for reforms in
addition to actively being engaged in DAA activities throughout Australia. I firmly believe that now is the time
to build on the solid work already done by our DAA predecessors. All of us are democracy stakeholders with
voices needing to be heard by policymakers back in Washington, D.C.

My priorities as your DAA chairperson: *Immediately engage with DAA members to bring in any and all
ideas. *Prioritize efforts on the 2018 congressional mid-term elections. *Ensure that every DAA member has
the contact information for their specific members of Congress, and document how they respond to our issues,
concerns, questions, and requests. *Protect our right to vote. *Conduct a letter-writing campaign asking
congresspersons to join the Congressional Americans Abroad Caucus and the Congressional Friends of
Australia Caucus. *Invite guest speakers (i.e. academic experts on U.S. politics; union leaders) to DAA
meetings. *Urge Congress to reform citizenship-based taxation to residence-based taxation. *Utilize DAA
communication tools more often: use of the press and online media to get our message out (i.e. letters-to-the-
editor, press releases, peaceful protests involvement). *Produce brief videos of our membership explaining our
very real concerns and how they affect us. *Work with other groups whenever mutual goals are concerned.

The above-mentioned are only my highest priorities. I have many more ideas that I would like to share with the
DAA membership and implement with your vote of confidence. Despite the long road ahead, I am motivated
and prepared to take action but I cannot achieve these goals alone. I respectfully request your vote to be DAA
chairperson because I am ready to work and lead with you in securing a Democratic Congress and White
House.

Like you, I understand the seriousness of the political challenges we face, especially the additional barrier of
residing abroad. If I am given the honor of becoming your chair, I assure you that I bring both experience and
enthusiasm to DAA. To the best of my ability I will devote my attention to your ideas and comments, and
encourage any DAA member to contact me with any questions at michael.e.ramos@gmail.com, @MRamosDC
on Twitter, or 0452 394 955. Thank you kindly for your consideration.

About me: U.S. citizen and patriotic expat. Born in the Midwest. Raised on the east coast (home/voting address in Illinois).
Former enlisted Marine. Married to an amazing Aussie of which we have two children. Reside in northern Melbourne
suburbs. Associate member of the National Tertiary Education Union. Member of the American Political Science Association.
Unapologetic progressive Democrat.

My education: High school completed at Hayfield Secondary School, Alexandria, VA. Associate degree (political science)
completed at Black Hawk College, Moline, IL. Bachelor of Arts degree (political science) completed at the University of the
District of Columbia, Washington, DC. Diploma of Government, Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE. Currently working
part-time on a postgraduate degree at La Trobe University, Melbourne. My thesis topic is analyzing the unique challenges
facing U.S. citizens living abroad and how Congress can better assist them.