Washington, D.C. – Today, ONE unveiled a bipartisan group of political leaders, strategists and policy experts who will advise the ONE Vote 2010 campaign.   Launched in July, ONE Vote 2010 is the organization’s midterm elections campaign to educate voters and candidates about the importance of American leadership in the eradication of extreme poverty and preventable disease. Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than $1.25 a day.

“ONE is honored that these individuals are taking the time to help spread the word about the importance and benefits of American leadership in helping African nations become healthier and more economically self-sustaining, ” said ONE’s U.S. Executive Director Shelia Nix. “This year, ONE Vote 2010, with the help of this distinguished group, will work with candidates to support continued American leadership in smart, affordable and effective U.S. efforts to beat poverty, save lives, root out corruption, boost accountability and increase our own national security.”

“ONE’s focus on critical health and development issues in Africa, including strong mutual accountability and transparency, create healthier, stronger and more stable nations, said Norm Coleman, CEO of American Action Network and former Republican Senator from Minnesota. “This is not only the right thing to do in a humanitarian sense, it is also important to our own national security and future growth markets for American investment.  ONE Vote 2010 is key to helping voters and candidates understand how American leadership in these areas is not partisan and must be maintained.”

“Democrats and Republicans have always worked together to help those living in extreme poverty, less than $1.25.  American leadership in education, clean water, growing food and in the prevention and treatment of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, is helping African nations build sustainable pathways to economic stability, “said John Podesta, President of the Center for American Progress.  “ONE’s efforts to help voters and candidates understand the importance of continuing this bipartisan commitment is critical and is one which I support wholeheartedly.”

ONE Vote 2010 is working in a number of states, including open Senate seat races in Illinois, Ohio, New Hampshire, Florida, and Indiana. ONE Vote staff and volunteers engage with candidates and voters through participation in community forums and service opportunities, campaign events, and meetings.  Since the campaign began in July, ONE has recruited 2,000 more members in target states.

The campaign builds on the success of ONE Vote ’08, which was active during the 2008 presidential primary and general election, earning historic commitments from candidates, including President Barack Obama and Senator John McCain. In 2008, ONE members made more than 1,000 direct one-on-one contacts with the candidates and got each of the candidates to participate in ONE’s “On The Record” effort to address development issues.

The ONE Vote 2010 Advisory Board is made up of leaders from both parties. It includes: • Tim Adams, Managing Director, The Lindsey Group and former Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs • Whit Ayres, President, Ayres, McHenry, & Associates Inc. • The Honorable Norm Coleman, CEO of American Action Network and former U.S. Senator (R-MN) • The Honorable Tom Daschle, Senior Policy Advisor at DLA Piper and former Senate Majority Leader (D-SD) • Tucker Eskew, Founding Partner, Vianovo, and Former Deputy Assistant to the President George W. Bush for Global Communications • The Honorable Bill Frist, M.D, former U.S. Senator (R-TN) and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader • Geoff Garin, President, Hart Research Associates • Pat Griffin, Partner, Griffin/Williams, Critical Point Management and former Assistant to the President and Director of Congressional Affairs for President Bill Clinton. • Mike McCurry, Principal, Public Strategies Washington Inc. and former White House Press Secretary 1995-98 • Dana Perino, White House Press Secretary to President George W. Bush and Fox News contributor • John Podesta, President, Center for American Progress • The Honorable Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator (R-PA) • The Honorable John E. Sununu, Adjunct Senior Policy Advisor, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and former U.S. Senator (R-NH) • The Honorable Vin Weber, Managing Partner of Clark & Weinstock and former Member of Congress (R-MN) • Maggie Williams, Partner, Griffin/Williams, Critical Point Management and Former Chief of Staff to First Lady Hillary Clinton

ONE Vote 2010 has state organizers on the ground in each of the targeted states working to build grassroots networks of community leaders and local ONE volunteers.  ONE Vote 2010’s state teams will work through the election to raise awareness around the fight against global poverty and disease.