Major Eric Egland, (USAFR) has turned heads with a third quarter fund-raising drive that brought in $80,000 for his primary challenge to incumbent John Doolittle, around whom swirl many allegations of inappropriate behavior and about whom D.C. leaders are concerned if he survives the primary challenge. Key graphs:
Doolittle is facing investigation into his ties to former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who has pleaded guilty to political corruption charges. Doolittle has denied any wrongdoing.
Even Richard Malott, a retired lawyer in Nevada City who has contributed over the years to Doolittle but shifted his support to Egland this year, said it's not about the scandal.
"We need young blood," said Malott.
Egland has served in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and has spent a lot of time raising support for deployed troops and writing about the war,
Here's his campaign website. You can contribute online here.
At the other side of the continent, another veteran, Tom Rooney, is gaining traction in the effort to dislodge a Democratic freshman Tim Mahoney.
Rooney's bio is here. Contribute here.
Egland and Rooney are the sorts of candidates who ought to be opposite every Democratic freshman or ethically-challenged GOP incumbent. The GOP House leadership cannot figure out why the base is indifferent to their various causes and pleas for financial support. The answer is that there is no organized sign of an energized commitment to winning the House majority back via a list of superb candidates, among them many with real experience in the military.
Memo to the NRCC: It is very, very late in the cycle. Do you intend to run a campaign? Or just a website?