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'''Steve Beren''' (born September 9, 1951, [[New York, New York]]) is a speaker, writer, and political activist from Seattle, Washington.  Beren was also the 2008 Republican candidate for [[U.S. Congress]] in Washington State's 7th Congressional District against incumbent Democratic Congressman [[Jim McDermott]].<ref>http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/348203_congress22.html</ref>

'''Steve Beren''' (born September 9, 1951, [[New York, New York]]) is a speaker, writer, and political activist from [[Seattle]], [[Washington State|Washington]].  He is a pro-liberty conservative citizen activist in support of the U.S. led war against [[terrorism]], and is actively involved in the [[Tea Party Movement]].  Beren attended the [[Tax Day Tea Party]] on April 15, 2009, as well the September 12, 2009 National Taxpayers [[Tea_party_protests#September_12_March_on_Washington|Tea Party March on Washington, D.C.]]<ref>[http://www.steveberen.com/taxdayteaparty.html Tax Day Tea Party], SteveBeren.com.</ref> Steve Beren has run twice for Congress against Jim McDermott, campaigning for the 2006 and 2008 elections.<ref>Aaron. [http://www.rlc.org/2009/02/05/economic-stimulus/ Stimulus – Wasteful, harmful, job-killing, and a threat to liberty], RLC.org, ''Republican Liberty Caucus'', February 5, 2009.</ref> Beren was the 2008 Republican candidate for [[U.S. Congress]] in Washington State's 7th Congressional District against incumbent Democratic Congressman [[Jim McDermott]].<ref>[http://neo-neocon.blogspot.com/2006/10/steve-beren-changer-extraordinaire.html Steve Beren, changer extraordinaire: from Socialist to Republican]</ref> He had also been mentioned as a possible conservative candidate for city council in the Seattle 2007 elections.<ref>Neil Modie. [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/296534_seattlegop20.html GOP seeking unlikely victories in Seattle], ''seattlepi.com'', December 20, 2006.</ref>

Beren was involved in the early planning and publicity for the 2009 Tea Party protests against the Obama administration economic policies.[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jane-hamsher/a-teabagger-timeline-koch_b_187312.html]

Born in [[New York City]], Beren states that he was raised in a non-religious, secular [[Jewish]] home and later became an [[atheist]]. From 1968 to 1990 he was an activist for the Socialist Workers Party and a defender of [[Fidel Castro]].  By 1990 he quit the SWP.  After that he became a supporter of the Democratic Party.  In 1995 he converted from [[atheism]] to [[Christianity]].  He became a Republican at age 52, during the 2004 Bush-Kerry campaign. The [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] was influential in his turn toward the [[Republican Party]]. <ref name=rams09>Bruce Ramsey. [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003184531_rams09.html McDermott challenger knows a little something about the left], ''The Seattle Times'',August 9, 2006.</ref>

 

Steve Beren became a [[Christian]] in 1995.  He and his [[wife]] live in the Seattle area where they are members of [[Christian Faith Center]].<ref>[http://www.steveberen.com/biography.html Steven Beren biography]</ref>  Furthermore, Beren has lived in Seattle since 1987, and is currently director of production operations for an internet marketing company.<ref>Scott St. Clair. [http://crosscut.com/2008/04/28/2008-election/13760/ GOP journal: Report from a county convention], ''Crosscut.com'', April 28, 2008.</ref>

Beren, an outspoken defender and advocate of the U.S. military commitment in Iraq. His campaign is emphasizing the issues of foreign policy, immigration, the economy, and social conservatism.  His goal is to start rebuilding the Republican Party in Seattle, and to get dialogue going on major issues.<ref>http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/121513.asp</ref>

Beren was described by Seattle's "two dailies" newspapers as a former [[Democrat]] and [[liberal]].<ref name=rams09/> But from 1968 to 1990, Beren was an activist in the [[Socialist Workers]], the party inspired by [[Leon Trotsky]]. Steve Beren was a [[socialist]] and [[Vietnam War]] protester in the 1960s and '70s. Later, after settling in Seattle and marrying, he became a Democrat, voting twice for [[Bill Clinton]] and once for [[Al Gore]]. But after the [[9/11|Sept. 11, 2001]], [[terrorist]] attacks, he said, he "came to see that the Republican Party was far superior on foreign policy."<ref>Emily Heffter. [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008112747_mcdermott14m.html McDermott faces 5 challengers but no real re-election challenge], ''The Seattle Times'', August 14, 2008.</ref> Since then he has become an evangelical Christian, a patriot, and a [[conservative]] Republican.

Beren had been mentioned as a possible conservative candidate for city council in the Seattle 2007 elections.<ref>http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/296534_seattlegop20.html</ref>  

Beren is an outspoken defender and advocate of the [[United States military|U.S. military]] commitment in [[Iraq]], as a strong supporter of the Iraq war, the [[Patriot Act]] and the [[Bush administration|Bush administration's]] wiretapping effort.<ref name=postmanpolitics02>David Postman. [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003034269_postmanpolitics02.html Sacrificial lamb or GOP star?], ''The Seattle Times'', June 2, 2006.</ref>  His campaigns emphasized the issues of foreign policy, immigration, the economy, and social conservatism.  His goal is to start rebuilding the Republican Party in Seattle, and to get dialogue going on major issues.<ref>Joel Connelly. [http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/121513.asp Beren for Congress], ''seattlepi'', September 10, 2007.</ref>  

Beren also opposed McDermott in 2006, receiving 16% of the vote against McDermott's 79%.  In 2006, the main issues Beren's campaign focused on were victory in the war against terrorism, tough border security, limited government, and energy independence.   

Beren opposed McDermott in 2006, receiving 16% of the vote against McDermott's 79%.  In 2006, the main issues Beren's campaign focused on were victory in the war against terrorism, tough border security, limited government, and energy independence.   

During the 2006 campaign, Seattle Times columnist David Postman criticized Beren's immigration stance and argued that Beren's candidacy would not "appeal to the state's most liberal congressional district."<ref>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003034269_postmanpolitics02.html</ref> Seattle Post-Intelligencer reporter Kristin Millares Bolt wrote that Beren had the "strident tones" of a true believer.<ref>http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/289864_mcdermottrace25.html</ref>   

During the 2006 campaign, Seattle Times columnist David Postman criticized Beren's immigration stance and argued that Beren's candidacy would not "appeal to the state's most liberal congressional district."<ref name=postmanpolitics02/> Seattle Post-Intelligencer reporter Kristin Millares Bolt wrote that Beren had the "strident tones" of a true believer.<ref>Kristin Millares Bolt. [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/289864_mcdermottrace25.html McDermott, rivals to debate tonight], ''seattlepi.com'', October 25, 2006.</ref>   

In reporting on one of Beren's 2006 debates with McDermott, Seattle Post-Intelligencer columnist Joel Connelly said Beren resorted to "Vietnam-era sound bites" and "displays a convert's zealotry toward the Iraq conflict."<ref>http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/287986_joel09.html</ref>  Also in 2006, Seattle Times editorial writer Ryan Blethen questioned Beren's qualifications and chances against an incumbent who has never received less than 72% of the vote in a general election.<ref>http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/</ref>

In reporting on one of Beren's 2006 debates with McDermott, Seattle Post-Intelligencer columnist Joel Connelly said Beren resorted to "Vietnam-era sound bites" and "displays a convert's zealotry toward the Iraq conflict."<ref>Joel Connelly. [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/287986_joel09.html General urges U.S. to revise Iraq plan], seattlepi.com, October 9, 2006.</ref>  Also in 2006, Seattle Times editorial writer Ryan Blethen questioned Beren's qualifications and chances against an incumbent who has never received less than 72% of the vote in a general election.<ref>http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/</ref>

During their October 5, 2006 debate in Shoreline, Washington, Congressman McDermott said of Beren, "having listened to my opponent here, I think you have a clear choice.... If you like what George Bush has done to this country for the last six years, vote for Steve because he needs another one - he needs another vote."

Steve Beren was the 2008 Republican challenger for U.S. Congress in Washington State's 7th Congressional District against incumbent Democratic Congressman Jim McDermott.<ref>Bruce Ramsey. [http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/edcetera/2008/11/03/the_challenger_to_jim_mcdermot.html The Challenger to Jim McDermott], ''The Seattle Times'', November 3, 2008.</ref> For the 2008 elections, candidates [[Dino Rossi]] and Steve Beren both tried to unseat McDermott; Dino Rossi took the approach appearing on the primary ballot as a party designation that read "G.O.P.," for [[Grand Old Party]]. Steve Beren was the contender for the Republican Party, where he said it was is a mistake to ditch the party on the notion that the Republican brand doesn't have the luster it used to. He stated, "Have bold colors, wave the Republican flag boldly. Wave fiscal conservatism, social conservatism, immigration conservatism -- boldly."<ref>Dan Springer. [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2008/06/24/washington-state-republicans-ditching-party-labels-to-compete/ Washington State Republicans Ditch Party Labels to Compete], FOXNews.com, June 24, 2008.</ref>

In 2005, Beren came under sharp criticism from Hussein Ibish, Vice-Chair of the Progressive Muslim Union of North America.<ref>http://www.muslimwakeup.com/main/archives/2005/05/kamal_nawashs_s.php</ref>

Similar to the 2006 elections, Beren acknowledged the difficulty of getting elected as a Republican in Seattle. The 10-term Jim McDermott is a liberal Democrat who has never gotten less than three-quarters of the vote in a re-election run. Despite the challenge, Steve Beren still ran a 30-second radio ad, urging Seattle's heavily Democratic voters: "C'mon, vote Republican for a change!"<ref>Emily Heffter. [http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/politicsnorthwest/2008/10/02/cmon_vote_republican_for_a_cha.html 'C'mon, vote Republican for a change!'], ''The Seattle Times'', October 2, 2008.</ref> Beren also stated in his plan to drill more domestic oil, "I'll help John McCain and Sarah Palin shake things up."

For Beren, his race wasn't about winning or losing. It was about creating an atmosphere in Seattle's Seventh Congressional District which is encouraging enough to get some of the Emerald City's closet conservatives out to the polls. On elections night, Beren said, "We're sewing the seeds for the future."<ref>Don Ward. [http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2008/11/steve_beren_on_election_night.php Steve Beren On Election Night], ''Seattle Weekly'', November 4, 2008.</ref>

Born in [[New York City]], Beren states that he was raised in a non-religious, secular [[Jewish]] home and later became an [[atheist]]. From 1968 to 1990 he was an activist for the Socialist Workers Party and a defender of [[Fidel Castro]].  By 1990 he quit the SWP.  After that he became a supporter of the Democratic Party.  In 1995 he converted from atheism to Christianity. He became a Republican at age 52, during the 2004 Bush-Kerry campaign. The [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] was influential in his turn toward the Republican Party.<ref>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003184531_rams09.html</ref>  

== External links ==

== External links ==

*[http://www.berenforcongress.com Steve Beren's official campaign site]

*[http://www.berenforcongress.com Steve Beren's official campaign site]

*[http://www.rlc.org/2009/02/05/economic-stimulus/ Beren: "stimulus" is wasteful, harmful, job-killing, and a threat to liberty] [[Republican Liberty Caucus]], 2/5/09

*[http://www.tcunation.com/profiles/blog/list?user=18w56r761mw34 Steve Beren's Blog] - TCUnation

*[http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?ElectionID=26&JurisdictionTypeID=3&JurisdictionID=153&ViewMode=Results 2008 General Election Results,] Washington Secretary of State

*[http://www.berenforcongress.com/news.html News] - Steve Beren in the news

*[http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2008/11/steve_beren_on_election_night.php Steve Beren On Election Night] by Don Ward, [[Seattle Weekly]], 11/4/08

*[http://www.steveberen.com/healthcare2009.html "something fishy about government-run healthcare"] - Beren's open letter to President Obama

*[http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/edcetera/2008/11/03/the_challenger_to_jim_mcdermot.html The Challenger to Jim McDermott] by Bruce Ramsey, [[Seattle Times]], 11/3/08

*[http://www.steveberen.com/conservatism.html Conservatism]- Steve Beren, 7 distractions Conservatives must avoid

*[http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/politicsnorthwest/2008/10/22/beren_finally_gets_his_debate.html Beren finally gets his debate] by Emily Heffter, [[Seattle Times]], 10/22/08

*[http://www.vote.wa.gov/Elections/PrimaryResults/Results.aspx?o=1f491303-47d6-4c81-b168-b93a493c2a24 2006 Primary Election Results]

*[http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/politicsnorthwest/2008/10/02/cmon_vote_republican_for_a_cha.html 'C'mon, vote Republican for a change!' - Beren radio ad] by Emily Heffter, [[Seattle Times]], 10/2/08

*[http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/general/Results.aspx?o=1f491303-47d6-4c81-b168-b93a493c2a24 2006 General Election Results]

*[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008169947_impeachment10m.html McDermott backs Bush impeachment - Beren says impeachment effort is political ploy] by Emily Heffter, [[Seattle Times]], 9/10/08

*[http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?ElectionID=25&JurisdictionTypeID=3&JurisdictionID=153&ViewMode=Results August 19, 2008 Top 2 Primary]

*[http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?ElectionID=26&JurisdictionTypeID=3&JurisdictionID=153&ViewMode=Results November 4, 2008 General Election]

 

*[http://www.crosscut.com/politics-government/15421/ Sparks in Spokane: a GOP odyssey - Beren "increasingly impressive"] by Scott St. Clair, Crosscut.com, 6/28/08

*[http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/24/washington-state-republicans-ditching-party-labels-to-compete/ Washington State Republicans Ditch Party Party Labels to Compete - Beren says "wave the Republican flag boldly"] by Dan Springer, FoxNews.com, 6/24/08

[[Jim McDermott]]

*[http://www.crosscut.com/politics-government/13760/ GOP journal: Report from a county convention - Beren "one of the most optimistic"] by Scott St. Clair, Crosscut.com, 4/28/08

*[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/348203_congress22.html State's U.S. House seats don't flip parties easily] by Neil Modie, [[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]], 1/22/08

*[http://soundpolitics.com/archives/008551.html Steve Beren on the McDermott decision] by Jim Miller, SoundPolitics.com, 5/2/07

*[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/296534_seattlegop20.html GOP seeking unlikely victories in Seattle - Beren might run for the Seattle City Council] by Neil Modie, [[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]], 12/20/06

*[http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/general/Results.aspx?o=1f491303-47d6-4c81-b168-b93a493c2a24 2006 General Election Results,] Washington Secretary of State

*[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003325106_ryan27.html There should be a place for a candidate like this] by Ryan Blethen, [[Seattle Times]], 10/27/06

*[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/289864_mcdermottrace25.html McDermott, rivals to debate tonight] by Kristen Millares Bolt, [[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]], 10/25/06

*[http://www.vote.wa.gov/Elections/PrimaryResults/Results.aspx?o=1f491303-47d6-4c81-b168-b93a493c2a24 2006 Primary Election Results,] Washington Secretary of State

*[http://soundpolitics.com/archives/006640.html Steve Beren: from socialism to the GOP] by Matt Rosenberg, SoundPolitics.com, 8/9/06

*[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003184531_rams09.html McDermott challenger knows a little something about the left] by Bruce Ramsey, [[Seattle Times]], 8/9/06

*[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/278854_joel26.html Credit 2 House long shots for challenging safe seats] by Joel Connelly, [[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]], 7/26/06

*[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003034269_postmanpolitics02.html Sacrificial lamb or GOP star?] by David Postman, [[Seattle Times]], 6/2/06

*[http://www.muslimwakeup.com/main/archives/2005/05/kamal_nawashs_s.php Kamal Nawash's Very, Very Strange Bedfellows] by [[Hussein Ibish]], 5/12/05

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[[Category:Political Activists]]

[[Category:Political Activists]]