Posted on 08/29/2006 11:21:35 AM PDT by AntiGuv
Rep. Joel Hefley is seriously considering running as a writein candidate to retain his seat rather than risk handing it over to Republican nominee Doug Lamborn.
In meetings with national political consultants, Hefley and his supporters have come up with yard-sign designs and the key messages of a possible campaign, Republican Party activist Peggy Littleton said.
Hefley, who has represented the 5th Congressional District for 20 years, has been the subject of a three-week push by high-level Republicans to take this nearly unheard-of step, Littleton said Monday.
To be a write-in candidate, Hefley must file an affidavit of intention with the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office by 5 p.m. today.
Since Lamborn edged former Hefley aide Jeff Crank in a six-way primary on Aug. 8, a number of party leaders, including elected officials, have begged Hefley to run again because of concerns about how Lamborn conducted his primary campaign, said Littleton and another party activist, who asked to remain anonymous.
A Lamborn spokesman said the campaign was not aware of the possible write-in effort, but after learning about it from a reporter Monday, Lamborn attempted to reach Hefley.
In announcing his retirement in February, Hefley said that he had done enough in Washington, D.C. He has reconsidered, those close to him say, because of his displeasure with Lamborn’s nomination.
The only question remaining is whether the 71-year-old will make such a controversial move in the twilight of his career. The former rancher was in Oklahoma for a cousin’s funeral Monday and was unavailable for comment.
“It’s really been a concerted effort of many behind the scenes to make this happen,” Littleton said. “Looking at this, I don’t see how Joel can not do this.”
Shortly after announcing he would not seek an 11th term, Hefley endorsed Crank. Crank and Lamborn engaged in a bloody political battle that included third-party mailings accusing Crank of being a tax hiker and an advocate for the “radical homosexual lobby,” charges Lamborn either leveled or refused to renounce.
Lamborn, a state senator, won the primary by 892 votes and is set to face Democrat Jay Fawcett in a district that leans heavily Republican. Thirteen Republicans have publicly announced their support for Fawcett, and others have complained behind the scenes about Lamborn’s primary campaign.
Radio stations pulled two ads by an organization that backed Lamborn because their truth was questioned, and the Federal Election Commission is investigating a complaint Lamborn illegally collaborated with outside groups.
Lamborn maintains that he campaigned on his record during 12 years in the Legislature and that he simply highlighted unflattering parts of opponents’ records. He has said also that he had nothing to do with mailers from outside groups.
Hefley, who criticized negative campaigning at the May GOP congressional assembly, gained a reputation in his later years as a champion of ethics in politics. He led the House ethics committee when it chastised Majority Leader Tom DeLay — a member of his own party — and later lost that seat and was ostracized by DeLay and his allies.
Littleton said many well known elected officials will back Hefley if he runs. If he does not, she and others are likely to sit out the election or, in some cases, vote for Fawcett, she said.
“Joel is the essence of integrity. . . . He was able to overcome ‘The Hammer,’ Tom DeLay,” Littleton said.
Hefley wants to avoid “allowing someone who is very unethical to take over his seat,” she said.
Lamborn’s campaign manager, Jon Hotaling, said Monday that the effort seems like sour grapes. He noted Lamborn is backed by the state and national Republican parties and by the parties of all six counties in the district.
“It sounds like some of Crank’s supporters are still smarting from their loss, but the voters have spoken and Senator Lamborn is the duly elected Republican nominee,” Hotaling said.
If Hefley runs, he will be taking on not only his party’s nominated successor, but history. Only four members of Congress have been elected via the write-in process, and it has not happened in 24 years.
It is unknown if Hefley’s write-in campaign would increase Fawcett’s chances of becoming the first Democrat elected from the district.
Another registered Republican, Rich Hand, also is running as a write-in candidate, but he has generated little interest.
I am just not sure why so many are pulling the trigger on Drake. Bush got 58% in her district. What is wrong with Drake? I really respect Rothenberg, but would quibble with some of his placements, like Northrup, but it is within the ballpark. Then again, he does this for a living, and works hard at it, and has access to more information than I. I would like to see a poll for the Hostettler race. He is such an odd character, that applying generalities to him, just isn't my bag.
The Gazette is a pretty piss-poor paper when it comes to news reporting. Their stable of reporters is quite young, naive, very easily misled, and judging by their writing, not very bright.
And thus you get "scoops" like this one.
People may be freaked out that Kaine carried VA-02. Iraq and general anti-incumbent sentiment. don't know. I think that one is a little high on his list of vulnerability.
The Kaine thing as a benchmark has not much traction for me. The GOP candidate in that race would not appeal, and did not appeal, to the Norfolk area. And Drake's district is in or adjacent to navy land. I have to wonder if Iraq has as much traction there, as say it does, in Greenwich, a rather prosperous little town in Shays district. :)
I would also like to see a poll on the Shaw seat. He is a well entrenced and respected incumbent in a Dem leaning seat. Has the tide really affected him that much? Outside of the NE and Midwest, that type seems to be surviving. Plus, his seat has lots of Jews. Are they going to be more Dem than usual this year, all in all, given the violence in the Middle East?
The thing about Shays is I am not aware of any polling data being released. So he could be up double digits right now for all I know. I just kind of assume that isn't true, but based mostly just on the other rankings people have released that contradict where Stu has this. Hence my disagreement based on very incomplete info.
In your opinion, is this still a safe seat? I've heard rumblings of republicans actually voting for the Demcandidate due to ill feelings toward Lamborn.
Since Hefley usually received well over 60% in this district, hopefully that won't matter.
As far as I can tell, the Republicans in 2002 removed the parts of the district that voted against Shaw in 2000, namely the Miami-Dade portion. The territory should be much more favorable to Shaw than when he had close races.
Yes, they did, but the Shaw district still went for Kerry by about 5%. It went for Gore, in the current lines, by about 8%.
I'm surprised he's lasted as long as he did. Any more tweaking and his district would be out in the Atlantic.
Klein is a serious candidate, unlike the last two Dems to face Shaw. I wonder if the prospect of him chairing Ways & Means would have significant weight on the election.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.