April

28, 2019

Democrats Abroad Japan National Officer Candidate Statements

The 2019 Democrats Abroad Japan (DAJ) Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) would
like to share the Candidate Statements submitted by those running for National Officer
positions.

The Candidates’ Statements are available as downloadable PDF files both on the DAJ website
(https://www.democratsabroad.org/jp) and on the Facebook DAJ community page
(https://www.facebook.com/DemocratsAbroadJapan/). Other written and video Candidate
Statements may be posted in mid-May.

Voting for National Election positions will commence on May 19 and conclude on June 14.
Ballots will be made available to all DAJ members on May 19.

We have an interesting group of people running and hope you will review these statements in
preparation for the Sunday May 19 Meet the Candidates events being held throughout Japan.
The NEC will post details about these events on a DAJ MeetUp! event page (forthcoming) and
the DAJ Facebook Meet The Candidates Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/274970940051279/

We encourage all DAJ members to join us on May 19 so that you may take an active role in
these National Officer elections. It will be a great opportunity to meet other like-minded
people and to find out more about the people who will guide us to victory in the 2020
elections

Events will be held in Kansai, Tokai and Kanto areas. However, even if you are not able to join
in person, you may participate online. If you would like to hold a Meet the Candidates Event in
your area, please contact the 2019 NEC before May 12 so we will help you get everything
organized. Contact the 2019 NEC with any questions at daj2019elections@gmail.com

We look forward to an engaging discussion with the candidates on May 19!

Submitted, by the DAJ 2019 Nominations and Elections Committee
Sarajean Rossitto, Chair
Jenise Treuting
Steven Breyak
Leslie Anne Rogers

 Candidate Statement Form

JOHN A. BAUMLIN JR.

Candidate for Chair of Democrats Abroad Japan

Candidate Statement
During my time serving with all of you, I have found Democrats Abroad Japan, sometimes referred
to as the “idea factory” at the global level, to be a small powerhouse of dedicated volunteers at
each chapter working to bring in thousands of members to vote each election. The feats of these
individual activists have been incredible, and served us well for many years. But now I feel is the
time that we need to focus on the sustainability of our organization.

The current environment for politics is very dangerous for the activists in our teams across the country.
We are a volunteer group – and people are prone to being overwhelmed by a constant barrage of
issues and news items. Indeed, these are crucial times – but we shall not fall into this trap – we need
to steel our nerves to be exempt from those media influences as an organization that exists outside
of the propaganda bubble. Our message is unique, and I think it’s time we weld it in new and
challenging ways that would give people who would discredit goodness in government and
democracy great trouble. Frankly, it is time for us to mobilize on the offensive.

I have served at many levels in this organization, currently as National Treasurer, in independent
committee as the Chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee in the previous cycle, and at the
grassroots level as a volunteer. I have worked with our International GoTV Committee as an
advocate for overseas voting rights in New Jersey, leveraging the power we gained through our
Democratic trifecta in 2017. Gaining that power across the country, especially from overseas, I have
come to learn, can be difficult. The same problems hold us back again and again. At the high-level,
these issues can be described as our broken-up geography, the inability to go door-to-door,
centralized dissemination of information, and reactive nature.

I want to clear our organization of all these hesitations and roadblocks, and use our position as a
strength, not a weakness. We can leverage our organization’s morale resolve to show our fellow
citizens at home and the DNC what some policies really mean in practice. We can use our
experience to make outreach kits to help new Americans overseas vote and act. We can use our
digital environment to make single issues prominent affordably and easily. We can do all of that
without taking an entire weekend or weeknight out of our time, and collaborate across our country
committee digitally. These are the kinds of approaches I would take up in leadership.

As a project manager by trade, who grew up in this media environment, I feel uniquely positioned
and experienced to stitch together our work in a contemporary era. I promise you I will document
our successes, failures, and leverage our resources fairly for what people need to succeed in
registering voters in this upcoming two-year cycle. As a small group with a limited budget – but a
surplus of morality – we must engage on new mediums, and build a new coalition for success.

What I ask from all of you now is focus. Focus to help create an organization of pointed political
action. Focus to build an organization that does not rely on the backs of activists, but the hands of
many who will bring about more sustainable growth for our organization. To focus on the issues of
voter registration, our civil liberties, a free and open internet, and everything we need here and now
to build a democratic institution that can succeed in this contemporary era under which we live.

If that is what you want too, please consider voting for me in this upcoming election cycle.
Signature:

Typed Name: John A. Baumlin Jr

Date Submitted: 4/27/2019

 _______________________________________________________

Candidate Statement Form

Anna C. Costello

Candidate for National Secretary

Candidate Statement (about 250 words, up to 1 page)

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for Democrats Abroad Japan National

Secretary. Secretary holds the important tasks of keeping an updated membership
database and clear communication between DAJ leadership and general membership.
With the 2020 election looming, it is crucial to maintain these tasks as to inform
Americans living abroad of how to vote and participate in any further actions. As
Secretary, I would vow to uphold correspondence to inform all membership of
opportunities to make their voices heard.

For the past 2 years, I have actively been involved in Democrats Abroad Japan
activities. These experiences include helping to organize the Tax March of 2017,
preparing letter samples and information for the monthly letter-writing/Speak Easy in
Tokyo, and participating in campaigns and rallies such as #OurLives and Families Belong
Together Tokyo Rally.

Regarding leadership positions, I served as Chair of the 2018 Nominations and

Election Committee and currently serve as Secretary of DAJ Kanto Chapter. Through the
latter position, I have undergone training for database use and confidentiality. Therefore,
I am aware of how to handle membership information properly.

Outside of DAJ, I helped organize and host a workshop to challenge gender

stereotypes/bias for International Women’s Day.

Should I be elected Secretary, I will strive to keep DAJ membership informed and
updated. We may be living abroad, but we always have means to make a stand. It is my
goal to keep our membership aware of any and all efforts we can partake in. Let’s fight for
justice together!

Signature

Typed Name: Anna C. Costello

Date submitted April 25, 2019
 Candidate Statement Form

Rose Turck

Candidate for Member at Large, Okinawa/Shikoku/Kyushu

Candidate Statement (about 250 words, up to 1 page)

I have lived in Okinawa for three years, and have been following politics and voting for
progressive, liberal values for much longer. Personally, I am tired of waking up in the morning and
seeing horrible news about my home country, day after day. Far too often, people I love, or even
myself, have been in danger of having our basic human rights stripped away by the people in
power. I want to do whatever I can to help push for real, substantive change, even when I’m far
away. The unique geography of this region makes meeting people in person a challenge, but I
would work with people to find solutions and increase voter turnout however I can. In a very real
sense, it feels as if my life depends on it.

Signature

Typed Name: Rose Turck

2019/04/
Date submitted 26
 _______________________________________________________

Candidate Statement

Raymond Kunikane Terhune

Candidate for Member-at-Large Western/Southern Honshu

Candidate Statement (about 250 words, up to 1 page)

Dear members of Democrats Abroad Japan. My name is Raymond Kunikane
Terhune, the candidate running for Member-at-Large Western/Southern Honshu. I have
been an active member of Democrats Abroad Japan for over 7 years in the Kansai region,
and currently the Secretary and Treasurer of Democrats Abroad Japan's Kansai chapter.
One of my immediate goals will be to maximize voter turnout for the global
primary next year. DAJK played a critical role in the global primary in 2016, largely
because we were the only voting location in southwest Honshu. Working with DAJK I
hope to replicate that massive turnout that is sure to bring in new members and energize
our membership. This will be attenable by utilizing social media along with reaching out
to local English language resources and magazines popular with the US community.
After the primaries, I plan to keep that momentum to maximize voter turnout for
the general election through consistent outreach to local members; at the same time
providing resources to our newer membership and facilitate local organizing in the
Western/Southern Honshu region. I hope to see the establishment of new local chapters
in regions in critical need of them. The key would be to maintain an open channel of
communication and be readily available to any members who have questions.
Members of Democrats Abroad all have unique views of the United States thanks
to our diverse backgrounds and expertise. But to fully utilize that power we all need to
come together and VOTE! Tell your fellow Americans here in Japan to get registered and
vote often. All elections are important, but this upcoming one is going to change the
course of history. Thank you for your time.

Signature

Typed Name:
Raymond Kunikane Terhune

Date submitted
April 25th 2019
 Gordon Louis Gaul IV
Candidate for DPCA Voting Representative

Candidate Statement
Let’s get involved! I continue to stand together with the volunteers that are
leading Democrats Abroad (DA) activities and functions, chapter events, national
activities, and even global events. We have done well over the last year – But you
and I can do more - together!

This has been my message to the membership of Democrats Abroad Japan for the past two years. First
working as Secretary to manage our membership and keep them informed through nationwide messages
and membership meetings; and then serving as Vice Chair – leading key meetings like the DAJ ExCom
and Advisory Board meetings for leaders of DAJ, encouraging and engaging our members by holding
General Meetings in both Kyoto and Tokyo, and holding events in the Kanto region together with the
support and leadership of other awesome volunteers.

DPCA Voting Representatives support and represent their country! They participate in the
Democrats Abroad Global Meeting and are expected to remain up to date on the business of Democrats
Abroad (a.k.a. the DPCA) and its Charter, participate in DA by contributing to global committees,
taskforces or caucuses, and remain active in the country committee - sharing insights with local
members about what is transpiring at the global level and participating in monthly AP regional meetings.

I am uniquely qualified to represent Japan because I attended those key meetings in person for the past
two years - in Washington, D.C. and at last year’s global meeting hosted here in Japan, and I am already
actively putting my feet in the streets of Tokyo to make my voice and the voices of our members heard!

I have a deep understanding of our country committee membership and leadership through my activities
on the executive committee for DAJ and organizing events for our members - while my involvement in
Democrats Abroad at the global level includes attending the 2016 global meeting, and planning and
running the 2017 Global Meeting here in Tokyo! I am also a co-chair of the Global Progressive Caucus.

Not only am I ready to participate in the next global meeting to represent Japan,
I am also willing and able to reach out to Americans in Japan and across the
world to learn about what matters to them and how they feel about the issues
facing Americans living overseas and Democrats Abroad specifically. I want
our leadership and members to know what is being discussed and to hear their
thoughts and opinions on key resolutions and amendments.

We need to hear your thoughts and reflect your opinions on the world stage.

My heart, my eyes, and my ears are open and I am ready to contribute to Democrats Abroad Japan.

Please support these efforts by filling out the ballot and

selecting me as DPCA Voting Representative!!!

Signature
Typed Name: Gordon L. Gaul IV
Date submitted: April 25, 2019