An integral part of the our movement's growth and sustainability is encouraging activists to take the next step and run for office. We at Netroots Nation aim to recognize Netroots candidates at all levels and shine a spotlight on those who organize and mobilize progressives locally.

So we welcome one of the Netroots' very own success stories, Donna Edwards, who will join us in Austin for a Saturday evening keynote.

Click here to register now.

With strong Netroots support, the lawyer and longtime community activist defeated 15-year incumbent Albert Wynn in the 2008 Democratic primary, and, following his resignation, won a special election to fill the remainder of his term.

As the first African-American woman to represent Maryland in Congress, she's led the way in pushing progressive values on key issues like net neutrality and the Iraq war, condemning it before it even started. So we're especially proud to recognize her tenacity and leadership during the past year.

And she's equally happy to talk with you--the Netroots community that was so instrumental in helping to spread her message of change.

You'll have a chance to recognize other Netroots candidates like Darcy Burner and Scott Kleeb at a 6:30 p.m. reception Friday in the Hilton Ballroom.

Netroots Nation is July 17-20 in Austin. Nancy Pelosi, Howard Dean, Markos Moulitsas, Van Jones and Paul Krugman will all be there. Will you?

A very limited number of registrations are still available, so click here to register now!

See you next week!