Please contribute to former ThinkProgress blogger Judd Legum's campaign in Maryland

As I've mentioned before, our friend Judd Legum is running for State Delegate in Maryland.

His first, and therefore most important, campaign finance deadline is just a couple of days away. It's important in elections to show that you can raise money - it helps bring in more money, and scare away the competition. You can give $25 right now to Judd via ActBlue, safely and security - 100% of your donation will go to Judd's campaign. Click here to donate.

Here are three reasons to pitch in a few bucks right now:

1. Judd is a committed progressive who has a deep understanding of the Netroots and the issues we care about. He founded the blog ThinkProgress, and as Arjun at DailyKos noted when Judd launched his campaign, Judd could be "one of the first candidates to emerge from the Netroots to win high political office."

2. It's important to support progressives at the state level. The tea party movement is making a big play to gain power in state legislatures, particularly in Maryland. Grover Norquist and Americans for Prosperity are holding a large rally in Judd's district next week, and they're promoting it extensively on the radio. (One of Judd's likely opponents was the emcee of the tea party held in Annapolis last fall.) The national right wing is investing heavily at the state level and it's up to us to provide a counter-balance. Judd is that counter-balance.

3. Your donation canl make a big impact. At the federal level, it's tough to make a big impact in races that involve millions of dollars unless you raise a LOT of money. At the local level, it's a whole other story. In 2006, the election in Judd's district was decided by 53 votes. A $25 donation to Judd could actually fund enough voter contact to swing the race.

You can contribute HERE. Please do. And thanks. John & Joe

Judd Legum (MD-HD-30) $