Posted on 12/20/2005 7:58:48 AM PST by Clintonfatigued
Although he's received virtually no media coverage so far, NM SEN candidate/urologist Allen McCulloch (R) quietly raised nearly $136K from various contributors in the 3rd quarter, far outpaising the $21K raised by Santa Fe councilor David Pfeffer (R).
In that time, McCulloch somehow managed to spend only $428, leaving him with over $140K CoH.
The only press mention of McCulloch to date comes courtesy of logger Joe Monahan who wrote in 8/05 that insiders have described McCulloch as a "reliable right-wing" GOPer and "is the son-in-law of well-known Four Corners oilman Jimmy Drake."
A source: "Jimmy has not had the most cordial of relationships with (Sen. Jeff Bingaman), so that could be a factor in this."
Monahan confirmed today that there has been virtually no recent discussion of McCulloch in NM political circles. However McCulloch did visit with NRSC officials in DC in 10/05 and they say he'd be an impressive candidate.
(Excerpt) Read more at hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com ...
With David Pfeffer's campaign showing no signs of getting off the ground, Allen McCulloch may be the only feasible choice. And I can't help but wonder how his powerful father-in-law plays into this?
Reliable right wing? I like him already.
So many candidates, so little money to donate. Right now I'm focusing on Hiram Lewis (WV), Mark Kennedy (MN), and Michael Steele (MD), and maybe Harris (FL) on that one I'm holding off to see if she stays in. It would be a waste to contribute if she gets squeezed out.
Pfeiffer just switched to GOP from Democrat. He took a brave stand against the Dems' war insanity about a year ago.
Bingy apparently has about $1.4 mil in the bank, according to the DSCC, and won in 2000 with 63% of the vote. He captured 54% in 1994, 63% in '88, and 54% when he first won the seat in '82.
Jeff Bingaman has never had a very serious race, unless you count his 1982 unseating of then-Senator Harrison Schmitt, who was undone when he ran negative ads based on inaccurate information.
Word has it, Bingaman wanted to retire but was badgered into running again by his colleagues.
You're making a wise choice with Harris, as she's clearly not going to win. Personally, I hope Congressman David Weldon runs.
It's interesting that while registered NM Dems have slowly decreased over the years, registered Repub numbers have been static.
1996: Dems 54%, GOP 33%
2000: Dems 52%, GOP 33%
2004: Dems 50%, GOP 33%
But as most know NM votes more conservatively than these numbers would suggest.
McCulloch sounds intriguing, and it might be a good idea to run an "outsider" against career politician Bingaman. The NM Senate race is a longshot anyhow and we can do a lot worse than a conservative with good fundraising ability.
That's interesting, but frankly, the fact that he's raised that much with so little expenditures makes me think he's doing something funny. I've worked in politics enough to know that you usually have to spend money to raise money, and I can't imagine how he'd do otherwise.
Anyhow, whatever. I don't think Bingaman is beatable.
I'll bet most of the contributors are friends of his father-in-law, oil magnate Jimmy Drake, who's prominent and influential in Farmington.
Come on people. Ain't gonna happen. These no-names are nothing more than sacraficial lambs. The only serious challengers woild be Heather Wilson or former Governor Gary Johnson. Johnson is really a libertarian which means that he cares little for government(and the prospect of a job). Wilson? She worked hard for her house seat and doesn't want to put it at risk in 2006. The other senators' term ends in 2008 and he has one foot in the grave so 2008 might be her time.
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