By Emily on 02/09/2010 @ 04:18 PM
Tags: GOP Opponents, 2010 Elections, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Dina Titus, Debbie Halvorson, Colleen Hanabusa
Some groups call them "rising stars." Others call them "races to watch." Republicans call them "Young Guns." Go figure.
We've been keeping you updated on developments in the NRCC's "Young Guns" program, designed to recruit and train GOP prospects in high-priority open-seat and challenger races. The three-level program ranks candidates in tiers as "On the Radar," "Contenders," and "Young Guns." Candidates' rankings are based on benchmarks such as fundraising, media plans, and grassroots organizing, according to CQ Politics.
The NRCC announced this week that they're adding a new batch of candidates to the program, including three opponents hoping to challenge EMILY's List women. Blake Curd is running to defeat EMILY's List alum Cong. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD-AL) , while Joe Heck is in the race against Cong. Dina Titus (NV-03). And in Arizona's first district, Paul Gosar is looking to take on Cong. Ann Kirkpatrick. Curd, Heck, and Gosar were added to the first step of the program -- "0n the Radar" -- this week.
Two other opponents of EMILY's List women were bumped up to the second part of the NRCC program -- the "contender" level. Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou, called "the next Scott Brown" by a number of right-wingers, will face off in a three-way special election with EMILY's List candidate Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01) as early as May. Cong. Debbie Halvorson's opponent in Illinois's third district, Adam Kinzinger, is fresh off his primary win in Illinois last week. He was also bumped up to the "contender" level of the program.
There's no doubt the NRCC and their recruits are gearing up for tough battles this fall. With momentum building and the prospect of making gains in Congress, Republicans are eager to do what it takes to win back seats. That's why all of our women will be counting on EMILY's List members around the country to help them keep their seats in the Democratic column.
By Emily on 01/11/2010 @ 06:45 PM
Tags: Colleen Hanabusa, HI-01, US House
Congressional candidate Colleen Hanabusa opened her campaign headquarters this week surrounded by supporters, including key Democratic leaders in the state.
Colleen, currently serving as the first woman president of Hawaii's state Senate, was joined at the event by the state's two sitting U.S. senators, Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel Akaka, at the event.
Noting her integrity and intelligence, Inouye threw his support behind Colleen, saying, "The next member of House of Representatives will be Colleen Hanabusa."
We're thrilled to see Colleen racking up endorsements and working hard to reach voters in this special election, but we know she has her work cut out for her. A recent announcement that the sitting congressman, Cong. Neil Abercrombie, will retire Feb. 28 to run for governor kicked this race into high gear. And, in the winner-take-all special election, Colleen will be on the ballot with the GOP's candidate and another Democrat, former Cong. Ed Case, who voted for the Patriot Act, extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, and the Iraq War while he was in Congress. A split of Democratic votes could benefit Republicans, so Colleen must set herself apart early in the race. It's been reported that the election could take place as early as May 1.
We'll be with Colleen all the way, making sure this Democratic-leaning district is filled with a powerful progressive voice.
By Emily on 01/05/2010 @ 05:50 PM
Tags: Colleen Hanabusa, HI-01, US House
When EMILY's List candidate Colleen Hanabusa entered the race for the open seat in HI-01, she was ready to hit the ground running -- and good thing, too.
Outgoing Cong. Neil Abercrombie recently announced he'll resign his seat Feb. 28, setting off a special election that could be held this spring.
Because of Hawaii's special election rules, there will be one winner-take-all ballot to fill the seat, and with two Democrats on the ticket, Colleen is counting on support from EMILY's List members to break away from the group and prevent a split of Democratic votes from putting this seat in GOP hands.
The other Democrat on the ballot is a former congressman who supported the Patriot Act, extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, and the Iraq War while he was in office. And while this district tilts Democratic, Colleen will have her work cut out for her to win this seat for progressives.
Click here to help Colleen raise the funds she'll need to win this seat!
By Emily on 10/30/2009 @ 04:45 PM
Tags: GOP Opponents, US House, 2010 Elections, Julie Hamos, Gabrielle Giffords, Betsy Markey, Carol Shea-Porter, Mary Jo Kilroy, Loretta Sanchez, Debbie Halvorson, Colleen Hanabusa
The GOP sure is trigger happy lately.
We told you earlier about the NRCC's Young Guns program, which helps recruit and train GOPers in targeted open-seat and challenger races. And now we have news that the Young Guns are taking aim and increasing their numbers, adding 32 new GOP candidates to the program -- and using more gun analogies and references than ever!
Five EMILY's List incumbents were already matched up against Young Guns program participants -- and now, they're adding another. EMILY's List alum Cong. Gabrielle Giffords's (AZ-08) potential opponent, Jesse Kelly, has been added to the list. Recently endorsed candidate Julie Hamos (IL-10) now faces not just one, but three potential opponents enrolled in the program -- Beth Coulson, Bob Dold, and Dick Green.
We also learned that nine candidates have been elevated from the Young Guns' first step -- "on the radar" -- to the second "contender" level of the three-part program. New "contenders" include Cory Gardner, looking to run in CO-04 against Cong. Betsy Markey; Frank Guinta, a potential challenger for Cong. Carol Shea-Porter in NH-01; and Steve Stivers, who is hoping for a rematch against Cong. Mary Jo Kilroy in OH-15.
Other Young Guns facing EMILY's List incumbents include Van Tran in Cong. Loretta Sanchez's CA-47 district and Adam Kinzinger in recently endorsed Cong. Debbie Halvorson's IL-11 district. And in HI-01, EMILY’s List endorsed candidate Colleen Hanabusa's potential GOP opponent, Charles Djou, is also enrolled in the program.
Although the NRCC is certainly pulling out all the stops for these GOPers, there's no doubt this is far from the Republican'' complete list of targets for 2010 -- just one more reminder that we have to prepare now to protect and build on our majorities in Congress.
By Emily on 10/21/2009 @ 06:15 PM
Tags: GOP Opponents, Mary Jo Kilroy, OH-15, Colleen Hanabusa, HI-01, US House, 2010 Elections
GOP House Whip Cong. Eric Cantor isn't just planning personal attacks anymore. Now, he's helping his GOP buddies bring in cash that could go to more large-scale attacks on the campaign front.
Cantor, who organized some of the most outrageous antics we've seen on the House floor, is now doling out money to GOP 2010 candidates. Two of Cantor's chosen recipients are in races involving EMILY's List candidates, Colleen Hanabusa and Ohio Cong. Mary Jo Kilroy.
Hanabusa, in Hawaii's first congressional district, is running to fill the open seat being vacated by Democratic Cong. Neil Abercrombie. Cantor's ERIC (Every Republican Is Crucial) PAC gave $2,500 to Charles Djou, a Honolulu city councilman aiming to put the seat in the Republican column.
And in Ohio's 15th district, the ERIC PAC gave $2,500 to Kilroy challenger Steve Stivers, who's looking for a rematch after losing in 2008. Kilroy's already faced down a Cantor attack on the floor of the House, and we have no doubt she can overcome any Cantor gifts to Stivers to win re-election. But this is a powerful reminder to us that Republicans are gearing up for 2010 -- and we don't have a minute to waste to help our candidates build their war chests.
By Emily on 10/08/2009 @ 11:40 AM
Tags: Colleen Hanabusa, HI-01
Aloha, Colleen Hanabusa!
EMILY's List is excited to announce our endorsement of state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa in Hawaii's first congressional district. Colleen is the true progressive in this race, and we're thrilled to get behind her bid.
Here are some words President Ellen R. Malcolm's statement yesterday:
"Colleen Hanabusa is a strong and dynamic leader in the Hawaii state legislature and a great choice to fill the seat of Congressman Neil Abercrombie," said Ellen R. Malcolm, president of EMILY's List. "Her dedication to public service and experience as a labor attorney, community organizer, and legislative leader is second to none. In office, Colleen has not hesitated to take strong stands to protect the rights of women, children, and working families. EMILY's List is proud to support Colleen Hanabusa in her campaign for U.S. Congress."
By Emily on 10/01/2009 @ 02:43 PM
Tags: Colleen Hanabusa, US House, 2010 Elections, HI-01
There's a new face in the race for Hawaii's 1st congressional district. State Senator Colleen Hanabusa announced her candidacy in a news conference this morning.
Hanabusa has served as Senate president for six of her ten years in the Legislature, the first woman to lead either legislative House in Hawaii. According to the Honolulu Advertiser, during her tenure she has "built a reputation as a progressive Democrat with a talent for building consensus."
Democrat and former Congressman Ed Case announced his candidacy in March 2009. Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou, who has been named to the NRCC's Young Guns program, is running on the Republican side. The seat is up for grabs -- Neil Abercrombie, who has represented the 1st district since 1991, is leaving Congress to run for governor. Stay tuned for more as the race heats up!
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