Dear Lucas,
Karl Rove's group American Crossroads announced that they're getting ready to spend heavily on House races. I asked our Political Director, Jonathan Parker, to pull together info on the incumbents we expect to be on the target list.
These incumbents are essential to maintaining the majority and they need our immediate help to defend themselves against the coming onslaught of attacks. All of these incumbents are in close races, but there is a path to victory for each of them. The crucial September 30 filing is only days away, and our candidates need your help right now.
Please read Jonathan's memo and then contribute today to one, two, three, or all of the incumbent women among our top priorities.
Thanks for all you do as part of the EMILY's List community.
Take care,
Stephanie Schriock
President, EMILY's List
To: Stephanie Schriock, EMILY's List President
From: Jonathan Parker, EMILY's List Political Director
Date: September 27, 2010
Re: HOUSE RACE UPDATE -- URGENT
Stephanie -- I wanted to give you a quick update on seven House incumbents' races that are top priorities before the Sept. 30 filing deadline. These races have been targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee and are part of their strategy to take back the House majority -- these races are likely to be targets for American Crossroads as well.
The polls are showing these races are tight, but they can still be won if we keep our candidates on air, defining themselves and framing the issues in our favor. It comes down to ensuring the campaigns have those crucial resources in the final weeks.
Here they are:
OH-13 - Betty Sutton
Opponent: Wealthy businessman and dishonest used car salesman Tom Ganley, who has loaned his campaign $6.5 million
Polling: Tied
District Profile: Leans slightly Democratic
Latest News: Ganley is on the attack, but Sutton is fighting back. The polling is tied, and the GOP counts this seat as a must-win to get the majority. Sutton is up with television ads, but she'll need to keep running them right up until election day. The Republicans are energized -- a county GOP executive committee sent a newsletter to supporters earlier this year saying, "Let's take Betty Sutton out of the House and put her back in the kitchen."
Please ask our members to give to Betty Sutton before 9/30 using the link below:
NV-03 - Dina Titus
Opponent: Former state Sen. Joe Heck, who believes the HPV vaccine shouldn't be covered by insurance
Polling: Titus pulling ahead slightly
District Profile: Split almost evenly between Democrats and Republicans
Latest News: The NRCC has now reserved $900,000 for ads against Titus -- one of their biggest television buys this cycle. Right-wing Americans for Prosperity and the Chamber of Commerce have also been on the air. Last week, the GOP leadership held a big DC fundraiser for Joe Heck, generating cash he'll no doubt use to boost his own ad spending. He could benefit from having tea party favorite Sharron Angle at the top of the ticket, but Titus has really delivered for her constituents, and she's running a very strong campaign.
Please ask our members to give to Dina Titus before 9/30 using the link below:
AZ-01 - Ann Kirkpatrick
Opponent: Dentist Paul Gosar
Polling: Within the margin of error
District Profile: Slight Republican edge
Latest News: Americans for Prosperity has already been up with ads against Kirkpatrick this cycle and Sarah Palin just made defeating her one of her top priorities. Kirkpatrick was one of the first candidates Palin targeted and Gosar one of the first candidates Palin endorsed, and now Palin has asked her donors to help defeat Kirkpatrick. We expect more third-parties up with ads attacking Kirkpatrick soon. Kirkpatrick is on the air, where she'll need to stay to keep pace with the third-party spending against her.
Please ask our members to give to Ann Kirkpatrick before 9/30 using the link below:
OH-15 - Mary Jo Kilroy
Opponent: Bank lobbyist Steve Stivers, who voted consistently to protect his pals in the banking industry and is the preferred candidate of the Ohio Right to Life
Polling: Too close to call
District Profile: Swing
Latest News: This race is a re-match -- Kilroy beat Stivers by 2,312 votes in 2008 to win this seat. Not only does the GOP need this seat to take control of Congress, but they view this as a grudge match against Kilroy, a strong progressive. They've been attacking her for more than a year, and now they're in high gear.
Please ask our members to give to Mary Jo Kilroy before 9/30 using the link below:
IL-11 - Debbie Halvorson
Opponent: Veteran Adam Kinzinger, who thinks the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy should be extended
Polling: Toss-up
District Profile: Slight Democratic edge
Latest News: The NRCC has bought $450,000 worth of television ads so far, and they were polling here last week to determine future spending. They're up with a new ad that goes after Halvorson by tying her to Speaker Pelosi. Kinzinger, who's strongly anti-choice, has been endorsed by Sarah Palin and the anti-choice Susan B. Anthony List. He was also named one of the NRCC's Young Guns -- they see him as an up-and-comer worth investing heavily in. The Chicago media market is an expensive one, and Halvorson will need funding to help combat Kinzinger.
Please ask our members to give to Debbie Halvorson before 9/30 using the link below:
FL-24 - Suzanne Kosmas
Opponent: State Rep. Sandy Adams
Polling: Within the margin of error
District Profile: Slight Republican edge
Latest News: Just a few days ago, Palin officially endorsed Adams and asked her donors to contribute to her effort to defeat Kosmas, who was on Palin's original target list. Kosmas has been under Republican attack for a full year. Adams was recently named one of the NRCC's Young Guns, and they're putting their support firmly behind her. These final weeks are the culmination of their growing attacks on Kosmas, whose seat they must win to gain a majority. Kosmas is up with a strong ad buy, which she'll need to keep going.
Please ask our members to give to Suzanne Kosmas before 9/30 using the link below:
CO-04 - Betsy Markey
Opponent: State Rep. Cory Gardner, who sponsored a bill to ban abortion
Polling: Markey gaining, now tied
District Profile: Slight Republican edge
Latest News: Markey's now one of Palin's top targets -- she officially threw her support behind Gardner last week. Markey came under Republican attack as soon as she was sworn in, and the attacks are escalating by the day. This seat had not been held by a Democrat since the 1970s, and the GOP seems to feel it belongs to them. The NRCC has been relentless in attacking Markey and has bought $1.2 million in air time for the last month of the campaign.
Please ask our members to give to Betsy Markey before 9/30 using the link below:
These races are changing every day, so I'll be sure to give you updates as I have them.