“My campaign received tremendous support and words of encouragement,” Mehring wrote. “The level of enthusiasm and people’s confidence in me was humbling. However, I realize my true passion still was with CaringBridge.” Full story
Democrats recruited a challenger for Southerland. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Four Democratic challengers announced on Tuesday their plans to run against three House GOP incumbents in California, Florida and Minnesota:
Florida’s 2nd District
Gwen Graham, daughter of former governor and Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., will challenge Rep. Steve Southerland II. Graham’s campaign described her as “Washington outsider,” and traced her roots in the Tallahassee-based Panhandle district back to her father’s tenure as governor beginning in 1979.
However, Graham’s father later served three terms in the Senate and she boasts relatives at The Washington Post. CQ Roll Call reported Gwen Graham was a likely contender earlier this year.
California’s 31 District
Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar will challenge one of House Democrats’ top 2014 targets, Republican Rep. Gary G. Miller. It’s Aguilar’s second try at Congress in as many cycles after he shocked Democrats by failing to make it to the general election in California’s new jungle primary system last year. Already in December, CQ Roll Call reported that Aguilar was interested in another run. Full story
Bachmann, left, is being targeted by House Majority PAC. (Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
House Majority PAC, the super PAC formed in the 2012 cycle to support Democratic House candidates, has rolled out its first round of Republican incumbent targets for the 2014 cycle.
They are:
Rep. Michele Bachmann – Minnesota’s 6th
Rep. Mike Coffman – Colorado’s 6th
Rep. Gary G. Miller – California’s 31st
Rep. Rodney Davis – Illinois’ 13th
Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick – Pennsylvania’s 8th
Rep. Michael G. Grimm – New York’s 11th
Rep. Joe Heck – Nevada’s 3rd
Rep. David Joyce – Ohio’s 14th
Rep. John Kline – Minnesota’s 2nd
Rep. Steve Southerland II – Florida’s 2nd
“In 2012, House Majority PAC built a strong record of success, and in 2013 we are ready to hit the ground running to hold these Republicans accountable and communicate with swing voters about their extreme records and backward priorities,” House Majority PAC Executive Director Alixandria Lapp said.
The group spent heavily in the fall of 2012, making major ad buys in markets.
Rep. John Kline is being targeted by a Democratic super PAC. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s operation isn’t the only campaign sensing a last-minute opportunity in Minnesota.
House Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC, started airing spots in the Gopher State’s 2nd district this week to boost former state Rep. Mike Obermueller’s (D) bid to unseat Rep. John Kline (R).
It’s a district both party committees bypassed in their fall ad buys, spending big in the highly competitive 8th district instead. Roll Call rates the 2nd district as a Likely Republican seat.
HMP’s $65,000 buy in the Twin Cities market will air this spot on stem cell research:
The super PAC is also expanding existing buys for similar stem cell spots in other races: $150,000 in Minnesota’s 8th district, $150,000 in Colorado’s 6th district and $200,000 in California’s 7th district.
