Week of April 06, 2006
Republicans tar Busby with $300,000 ad buy
They haven't even chosen a nominee yet, but Republicans are already taking aim at Francine Busby in California's 50th congressional district. Busby is the leading contender in the April 11 special primary election to replace disgraced former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham.
While 14 Republicans duke it out for the GOP nomination, the National Republican Congressional Committee bought $300,000 worth of ad time on San Diego television attacking Busby. They know she will be the Democratic nominee and couldn't wait to launch an onslaught of ads that won't let up between now and the June 6 special runoff election.
Busby continues to speak out against the culture of corruption that led to Cunningham's resignation and the recent resignation of former Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Noting that Cunningham contributed more than $640,000 to the NRCC before pleading guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion, Busby's campaign said, "The NRCC's ads are financed by the same dirty money that sent Duke Cunningham to jail and that has forced Tom DeLay to step down from his seat."
The New York Times recognizes women as agents of change
"Democratic women are running major campaigns in nearly half of the two dozen most competitive House races where their party hopes to pick up enough Republican seats to regain control of the House. Democratic strategists are betting that the voters' unrest and hunger for change -- reflected consistently in public opinion polls -- create the perfect conditions for their party's female candidates this year."
Sutton opponent triggers "millionaire's amendment"
NRA endorses Cafaro
Betty Sutton's Democratic primary for Ohio's 13th district is just 26 days away!
Ohio -- a key swing state -- has been described by political analysts and Democratic leaders as "ground zero" in the fight to take back the House and critical to Democrats' success in November. A May 2 win by Sutton will set the stage for victory across the country.
Sutton faces seven tough challengers, including Capri Cafaro, a shopping mall heiress who has poured more than $1.2 million of her vast fortune into her campaign, mostly to bankroll costly television ads. Cafaro's heavy spending has officially triggered the "millionaire's amendment" -- a provision in campaign finance law that increases the amount donors can give to ordinary candidates facing millionaire self-funders.
The amendment means Cafaro's opponents can now raise up to $6,300 from individual donors.
Cafaro has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association and is set to appear at an NRA event on April 8.
Illinois primary results
On March 21, rising star Maj. Tammy Duckworth bested two others in the Democratic primary for Illinois's sixth congressional district, the seat left open by retiring Rep. Henry Hyde (R) -- the House's chief anti-choice zealot. Both Democrats, Lindy Scott and Christine Cegelis, have since pledged support for Duckworth, who will face an extreme right-wing conservative, state Sen. Peter Roskam, in November.
And while incumbent Rep. Melissa Bean did not have a primary opponent, she must now defend her congressional seat in the eighth district against David McSweeney, an anti-choice millionaire who was endorsed by the Illinois Federation for Right to Life. McSweeney, a former investment banker, has already lent his campaign nearly $2 million.
These outstanding pro-choice Democratic women candidates are the key to helping Democrats take back the House in November. Helping all our candidates fight back against the tremendous resources of national Republicans is a top priority for EMILY's List.
EMILY's List training featured on New Mexico NPR affiliate
A broadcast on KUNM, Albuquerque's NPR affiliate, highlighted the EMILY's List Political Opportunity Program (POP) and a POP training seminar for candidates in Albuquerque. POP offers trainings across the country to help pro-choice Democratic women run and win state and local offices.
Change starts with you!
EMILY's List is preparing to receive hundreds of members from across the country on May 11 in Washington, D.C., for "Change," the annual EMILY's List D.C. Luncheon. You're invited to join keynote speaker U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), EMILY's List President Ellen R. Malcolm, and many EMILY's List-supported pro-choice Democratic women -- including Maj. Tammy Duckworth, candidate for U.S. House in Illinois's sixth congressional district. Learn how EMILY's List is recruiting a record number of candidates and mobilizing women voters who will, with your help, change the face of power in November.