Week of September 8, 2007
EMILY's List endorses Christine Jennings in FL-13, Kay Barnes in MO-6, and Melissa Bean in IL-8
EMILY's List is seizing three exciting opportunities -- to add two new pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House and to protect one incumbent from a millionaire challenger. Early money will make the difference for these strong women candidates in what promises to be a cut-throat election season.
Kay Barnes is challenging GOP Rep. Sam Graves for Missouri's sixth district seat. Former Mayor of Kansas City, Barnes was the driving force behind the city's dramatic economic revitalization and is a prized recruit for Democrats. With her strong roots in the district's rural communities, she presents the first serious threat to Graves since he first won election in 2000. Graves has been a reliable rubber stamp for Bush, whom he has called "a deep thinker," voting with him 95 percent of the time in 2006 and supporting his failed war in Iraq. Barnes demonstrated her strength when she outraised Graves in the last fundraising quarter, but he has repeatedly outspent past opponents and has hired a ruthless campaign manager known for his vicious attacks. And, Republicans are sending their fundraising weapon Vice President Cheney to the district to do a fundraiser for Graves on Sept. 17. The event is expected to bring in the big bucks for Graves, with photo opportunities with the vice president costing up to $10,000 per donor.
Christine Jennings would have been declared the winner in Florida's 13th congressional district in 2006 were it not for malfunctioning computers that failed to register 18,000 votes in her home base of Sarasota. As a result, multi-millionaire and former used car salesman Vern Buchanan finished ahead of her by 369 votes and now sits in Congress. While a congressional task force investigates the outcome, Jennings is challenging Buchanan, a right-wing GOP insider with a trail of legal problems, for the seat. This was the single most expensive congressional contest of 2006 and is certain to be at or near the top again in the 2008 election.
Rep. Melissa Bean represents one of the most Republican districts held by a Democrat, making her a perpetual GOP target for defeat. She defeated a right-wing millionaire in 2006 despite being vastly outspent -- but Republicans have recruited another right-wing millionaire to challenge her again in 2008. Bean is a standout in Congress, tending closely to her constituents' concerns by increasing federal funding for transportation projects in her district, making the internet safer for children, and protecting the Great Lakes from oil drilling. Keeping this seat from falling into Republican hands is a top priority for EMILY's List and Democrats in 2008.
Special election victories for pro-choice Democratic women
Pro-choice Democratic women are celebrating victories in special elections that provide early momentum heading into the 2008 campaign.
Niki Tsongas is on her way to becoming the first Democratic woman to represent Massachusetts in 35 years since winning a hard-fought primary with 36 percent of the vote. As expected, this race came down to a few thousand votes. Strong support from EMILY's List members and a powerful WOMEN VOTE! project made the difference for Tsongas, who will face Republican Jim Ogonowski in the Oct. 16 general election. A local newspaper reported that Ogonowski "launched an immediate attack" on Tsongas, an indication of the GOP's determination to try to take over this Democratic-leaning seat. Tsongas will need continued support to make sure it stays in Democratic hands and take her place as the newest pro-choice Democratic woman in Congress.
In California's 37th district, Laura Richardson of Long Beach has made her state's U.S. congressional delegation whole again, having won a remarkable 67 percent of the vote in the Aug. 21 special election. Richardson, who has been supported by the EMILY's List Political Opportunity Program (POP), was sworn in on Sept. 4. She replaces the late Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald, who died suddenly this past April.
Unions for Hillary
The presidential debate before the AFL-CIO in August underscored the importance of labor unions, a rich source of financial and grassroots support, to candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for president. Thanks to her performance in that debate and commitment to America's working families, Hillary Clinton was the first candidate to secure a key national labor endorsement. On Aug. 28, the 125,000-member United Transportation Union, which represents active and retired members of the railroad, bus, and public transit industries, announced its support for Hillary's presidential bid. "The UTU has a long history of picking winners early," said UTU President Paul Thompson. "Hillary will be a president that America's working families can count on. Time and again, as a United States senator, she has stood with us."
The following Thursday, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers announced its endorsement of Hillary for president. With over 700,000 members nationwide, the IAM is one of the nation's largest industrial trade unions and is a member of the AFL-CIO. The IAM will launch a massive education campaign among IAM members and extensive publicity in union publications and websites nationwide. Twenty-five states with over 450,000 active and retired IAM members will vote within a three week period starting with the Iowa caucuses and ending in California on Feb. 5, so their support of Hillary will translate into critical organizing prowess during the early primary contests.
Bush raises $500,000 for Reichert; Burner clears primary field
Republicans, desperate not to lose any more House seats, are leaving nothing to chance in 2008 in Washington state's eighth congressional district. They've already sent President Bush to the district for a fundraiser that brought in over $500,000 for Rep. Dave Reichert and the state Republican party -- with some donors paying up to $10,000 to hobnob with lame duck Bush. They are right to be concerned; not only did 2006 nominee and EMILY's List candidate Darcy Burner come close to unseating Reichert last year, but she also outpaced him in early fundraising, albeit narrowly.
The extent of Reichert's loyalty to Bush and the failed GOP agenda came to light recently with the leaking of a video showing Reichert explaining to donors how he must sometimes compromise his principles to hold onto his Seattle-area seat, which is ripe for Democratic takeover. Reichert's comments took another absurd turn when a clip recently surfaced where he compared working with Democrats in Congress to shaking the hand of serial killer Gary Ridgway.
Local and national progressive bloggers issued a fundraising challenge for Burner to counteract Bush's visit, leading to a surge in donations. Burner will need every dime to make sure voters in this district know of her commitment to end the war in Iraq and undo the damage wrought by Reichert and other Bush loyalists.
State Sen. Rodney Tom's recent decision to drop out of the Democratic primary race clears the field for Burner so she can focus on this top take-back opportunity.