News in brief from the campaign trail (Diana Irey Raised $230,000 in Last Qtr)

AP/Centre Daily ^ | 7/13/06 | Kimberly Hefling

[Coop]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic Rep. John Murtha's Republican opponent raised thousands of dollars online in June, but still significantly trailed the 10-term incumbent in fundraising.

Murtha, a decorated Vietnam War veteran from western Pennsylvania who has become the face of the movement opposing the Iraq war, raised $621,367 in the quarter that ended June 30, according to his Federal Election Commission filing.

His opponent, Washington County commissioner Diana Irey, raised $229,846, according to her campaign.

Murtha has $1.6 million in cash, while Irey has $159,138 in cash.

Irey, who has criticized Murtha's stance on the Iraq war, raised more than $117,000 in cash online in June, said Bill Pascoe, a campaign spokesman.

[Coop]

An outstanding haul! And most of it occurred in the last several weeks of the quarter. You folks here at Free Republic certainly played a significant part in raising funds and raising Ms. Irey's profile. Yes, she still trails the sleazeball by a significant margin, but I'm certain these numbers will get the attention of some "players."

Please help keep her numbers going in the right direction, and teach EX-Marine Jack Murtha a lesson in November.

www.irey.com

[Coop]

[Coop]

Please FReepmail me if you'd like on or off the Irey/Murtha ping list.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Murtha, a decorated Vietnam War veteran...

He served in Vietnam? I had no idea. The press ought to mention that every time they write a story about him.

[HarleyLady27]

This is great news!!! I don't live in Diane's district, but I do support her and have given her a donation....I like what she stands for and I wished we had more Dianes in PA.

WTG and WIN, WIN, WIN!!!

[Brad from Tennessee]

Murtha is a willing and shameless tool of a lot of defense contractors with big bucks. It figures this sleezeball would be ahead on contributions.

[Coop]

That was never in doubt. What was in doubt was whether Ms. Irey could raise money to get her message out. I think she's proven she can.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[petercooper]

Send Murtha to Okinawa! Click the logo and donate to Diana Irey for Congress!

[caisson71]

She received one of my checks that would otherwise have gone to the RNC. Her campaign sent a nice letter thanking me for the contribution. Ms Irey is certainly a far better representative on America and her state than Murtha.

[shalom aleichem]

At least they don't call him a "decorated war HERO". He managed to get 1 or 2 Purple Hearts Kerry-style (i.e. after the fact and over the head of his objecting commanding officer with little or no wound, blood, etc.). He was not in combat; sat on his fat behind in an air conditioned office in "green zone". He is a joke.

[smoothsailing]

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!

[Coop]

I agree. Let's hope the folks around here seize on this great news and continue the momentum!

[RedRover]

A couple hundred grand will go further in the 12th District than my homebase of New York City. Still, Irey supporters have to re-double their efforts. I'm trying to figure out how much I can send in.

[Coop]

Still, Irey supporters have to re-double their efforts.

I agree. There's a lot of work to do between now and November.

[drc43]

Donated another $50.

[Coop]

Thanks very much for your support of Ms. Irey!

[Coop]

Ping

[patton]

Wow. I gave her a check, but it was for less than half that! ;)

[Coop]

So you've still got plenty left in your account. Get out the pen and checkbook!!!