May 29, 2008 - 12:41pm
DCCC puts Kirkpatrick in Red to Blue program
By Evan Brown
Category: HouseTags: Janet Napolitano, Ann Kirkpatrick, Sydney Hay, Mary Kim Titla, Howard Shanker, CD1, Preston Korn
With Gov. Janet Napolitano's endorsement of CD1 Democratic candidate Ann Kirkpatrick, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has all but endorsed the former state legislator as well. Today, DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen announced that Kirkpatrick has been added to the Red to Blue program, which helps Democratic challengers raise money to capture Republican-held congressional seats.
"Ann's experience in city, county and state government and her commitment to promoting economic development, while protecting Arizona’s environment, will make her an effective voice for clean government and change," said Van Hollen, a Maryland congressman.
In addition to financial support, the program also helps "structure" campaigns to become more effective. Kirkpatrick is one of 11 Democrats in the program vying for an open seat.
"The DCCC's decision shows confidence in Ann's ability to win the primary and be successful in the general election," said Kirkpatrick campaign spokeswoman Mary Bradley.
Kirkpatrick is currently engaged in a primary fight against attorney Howard Shanker and former television reporter Mary Kim Titla. However, today's decision further solidifies the belief among Democrats that Kirkpatrick, who leads in fundraising and served as a state representative from Prescott, is the best candidate to win the open seat being vacated by Republican Rep. Rick Renzi. Though the DCCC doesn't officially endorse candidates during primaries, it is generally acknowledged that moves such as putting a candidate on the Red to Blue list amount to the same thing.
Sydney Hay, the leading Republican candidate for the seat, has sewed up the endorsements of leading state Republicans, including one congressman and ten state legislators yesterday, and garnered hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions, far outpacing rival Preston Korn. It is looking increasingly likely that Kirkpatrick and Hay will come out of their primary battles victorious and face each other on the ballot in November.
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Keep Phoenix out of Flagstaff, Vote Shanker!
I am sick of D.C. politicians deciding what is best for us. We as Americans know what's best for us, so let us VOTE. I have been born and raised in Flagstaff, AZ and Howard SHANKER is down right the best candidate for AZ CD1. Do some research and look at the facts, more experience, better working knowledge of the legal system and a true advocate for the environment. Ann Kirkpatrick is not a bad candidate, Howard Shanker is just better all around.
Hey DCCC let us decided, use your money for to better Arizona, not back a candidate!
NAU Student
The DCCC is corrupt!
They have been monkeying with the CD1 election for too long now. They come in early and back a candidate who does not deserve it, and expect the voters to just tow the line. We I for one am not going to vote for Ann Kirkpatrick just because they say we should. Kirkpatrick has voted against Solar power incentives in this state and then says she's "green."
Anne Kirkpatrick will censor your t-shirt if she does not like the content of it's speech!-- No better than Bush if you ask me. She is scared there are terrorists running across the Mexican border and is supporting a plan that Renzi helped engineer where the government contracts to build all this "border technology" are in Renzi's Dad's company's hands.
What's the difference if she was born here or born in Virginia? Just that it is even more despicable to sell out your own community.
Vote Shanker is right
I agree with Mr. Patterson. The Governor and the DCCC can endorse all they want-- I think these endorsements are coming all at once because they've realized Kirkpatrick needs a boost. Shanker has a ton of support, and the DCCC reaching its arm into AZ CD1 isn't going to be enough to sway the race. And, a lot of voters (like me) resent having the party try to tell me who our candidate is.
Vote Shanker
With all due respect, the DCCC should stay out of contested primaries with good candidates.
I and many Arizonans are backing Howard Shanker as the best candidate to win the CD1 seat.
Voters may not like the DCCC establishment party machine interfering with a primary, making them even more likely to support Shanker.
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