Naturally Blue PAC Aims To Encourage Progressive Southern Politics (UPDATED)

This week, a new Political Action Committee (PAC) dedicated to electing progressive candidates in Arkansas is set to be launched.  Naturally Blue is the new PAC and is headed up by a group of young leaders who are committed to a long-term strategy of pushing progressive ideas and helping candidates win political offices.

Today, I interviewed the chair of the new PAC, Nate Looney. Looney is currently a dual-degree student at the University of Arkansas Bowen School of Law and the Clinton School of Public Service.

I asked Looney what was the purpose of the new PAC:

“The purpose of Naturally Blue is to get everyday, normal people back engaged in the political process. As Arkansans we”ve been represented by giants on many levels for many years and those folks still exist today. But they”re not the public servants as far as what you”ve seen in the past. Instead of being the standard as far as politics being defined by many of these folks, it”s more the exception,” said Looney.

Looney said there are four overall goals of the new PAC:

1) Recruit progressive candidates to run
2) Provide resources to run successful campaigns
3) Serve as a support mechanism for campaigns and governing
4) Position Naturally Blue as a progressive think tank for the South

“For there to be a resurgence of progressive thought in the South, we must engage average citizens in the political process again,” Looney said. “To this end, we will recruit stronger candidates that speak to their interests, register voters so they can have their voices heard and mobilize supporters to create real change in communities throughout the South.”

Naturally Blue plans to recruit and heavily support candidates in Northwest Arkansas where Republican strength has grown and progressive voices have declined for many years. The PAC has a website and blog they plan to utilize for grassroots and social media organizing.

Naturally Blue has a launch party scheduled for this Wednesday, February 8 at Porter”s Jazz Cafe in downtown Little Rock from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.  They”ve put together a very impressive host committee and I expect they”ll have a good turnout.

I like Naturally Blue”s long-term vision of wanting of elect progressive candidates and I was very happy to learn that they understand it takes more than just one election cycle to make a difference.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Naturally Blue PAC launch has been moved to Next Level Events’ Genesis III room at Union Station (1400 West Markham St Little Rock, AR 72201).