The political action committee of Peace Action, the nation??€™s largest grassroots peace organization, has lent its support to candidates who have consistently supported peace positions, in an election year that is likely to turn on public dissatisfaction with the Iraq war and the generally militarist policies of the Bush Administration.

Topping the list is the endorsement of Ned Lamont, the Connecticut businessman running to unseat three-term Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman. Sen. Lieberman??€™s, a consistent support of Bush policies in Iraq has helped galvanize support for Lamont??€™s rise from little-known underdog to potential victor in next week??€™s primary.

Peace Action PAC also endorsed Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, who expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Peace Action. ??€œI am honored to work with Peace Action in stressing the need for a clear exit strategy from Iraq,??€ ? Akaka said. "I will continue my efforts in support of Peace Action??€™s mission to establish international peace.??€ ? Senator Akaka has also aggressively fought the development of new nuclear weapons and supported ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Other just-announced endorsements from the nation??€™s largest peace group include:

??€ ? Jerry McNerney, Democratic Nominee for California??€™s 11th Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo
??€ ? Patricia ??€˜Pan??€™ Godchaux, running in the Republican primary for Michigan??€™s 9th Congressional District against seven term incumbent Joe Knollenberg.
??€ ? Rep. Sherrod Brown, the Democratic nominee for the Senate in Ohio; in the last 3 years Rep. Brown has averaged 95 on the Peace Action voting record.
??€ ? Coleen Rowley, challenging John Kline in 2nd district of Minnesota
??€ ? Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA), who has averaged 93% on the Peace Action voting record over the past two years and is in a tough primary race.
??€ ? Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), who has averaged 90% on the Peace Action voting record over the past three years.

??€œWe are proud to endorse these progressive, pro-peace candidates,??€ ? said Kevin Martin, Executive Director of the Peace Action PAC. ??€œThe Iraq war is not simply a single issue in this campaign, but a central issue ??€" one which represents the Bush Administration??€™s radically militaristic and dangerous foreign policy. The Iraq war also represents the destruction of domestic priorities in this country, since it has sucked more than $300 billion away from our treasury, with no end in sight.??€ ?

Martin concluded: ??€œWe are proud to support these pro-peace candidates. Our nation needs their leadership like never before, and we look forward to working with them to re-establish a foreign policy based on American values: human rights, peaceful diplomacy over pre-emptive war and international security and cooperation.??€ ?

# # #

Peace Action PAC is the political action committee of Peace Action, the country??€™s largest peace and justice organization with over 91,000 members, with state affiliates and local chapters in 29 states.

Contact: Gordon Clark at 301-565-4050 x330 gclark@peace-action.org