There’s no unifying theme to these choices: they’re merely five candidates for the House of Representatives that the GOP has recruited, supported, or at least working with. There are more – there are, in fact, a good deal more – but these will do for a start. And so, in no particular order:
- Cory Gardner (CO-04). State legislator. One of three candidates for this R+6 seat. The seat is currently held by Betsy Markey, who not only voted for Cap and Trade; she pretended that she had read it. Gardner is a Tea Party participant, and doing very well in fundraising. Donate here.
- Charles Djou (HI-01). City Councilman, Army Reservist. Candidate for this D+11 seat. Neil Abercrombie is not seeking re-election, as he is planning to run for Governor of Hawaii: the lack of an incumbent and the general reaction to Djou has this race on a lot of dark horse lists. Everything needs to work out just right, which is pretty much what we said about Cao down in Louisiana. Besides, you make ’em fight everywhere. Donate here.
- Martha Roby (AL-02). City Councilwoman with a track record of winning minority votes. Candidate for this R+16 seat. Bobby Bright is a freshman hanging onto his fingernails, as witnessed by the fact that he was given permission to vote against both the stimulus AND cap and trade. Martha’s running as a clear conservative, and it’s increasingly looking like she’ll be running in a clear field. Donate here.
- Van Tran (CA-47). State Assemblyman, political refugee. Candidate for this D+4 seat. Loretta Sanchez looks untouchable… on paper; but the district went for Bush in 2004, Sanchez has tax and appropriation votes (she’s one of the PMA Porkers) to answer for, and – most importantly – both the GOP and Tran are eager to have a race here. The Democrats really don’t want to have to fight for this seat. Donate here.
- Rick Crawford (AR-01). Businessman, military veteran. Candidate for this R+8 seat. He’s up against Marion Berry, who did not have any opposition last election cycle; Berry also seems to be the type who likes to have creative income disclosures, which I believe that Crawford and the NRCC will be happy to bring up. As I’ve noted before, Crawford’s pro Tea-Party; and he’s got solid connections with the community. Donate here.
…and that should get you started. As I’ve said, these aren’t the only five candidates that the GOP is running; merely five more or less representative ones. And note that the Republican party is not playing the 2010 elections not to lose; it’s making aggressive moves, and in places where it perhaps was too quick to concede in 2006 and 2008.
This should be an interesting election cycle.
Moe Lane
Crossposted to RedState.
Please look at our conservative candidate for West Virginia 1st Dist R. Scott Smith at http://www.scottsmith2010.com. This seat is currently held by Alan Mollohan who is under investigation.
I’d love to see Tran win. Dornan was always sure that illegals put Sanchez over the top when she beat him.
And even according to wikipedia, hundreds of illegal votes were found.
You might take a look at Cindy Hall, Republican from West Virginia’s 1st Dist, a transplant from California in 2007. A view from outside the state could be an advantage in that West Virginia has the US 49th lowest income per capita and whose economy has not improved by having leaders been born or raised in the state; http://www.CindyHallFor Congress.com She has begun a web site http://www.RepublicanCandidatesForCongress.com whose purpose is to promote Republicans running for office in 2010 and to promote two special projects; micro loans for small business and Charter schools for at-risk children.