Posted on 07/20/2008 10:08:07 AM PDT by smoothsailing
Sunday JULY 20, 2008
Murtha outraised in most recent quarter
By MICHELLE GANASSI
Daily American Staff Writer
In April, William Russell's name didn't even appear on the ballot because of a challenge to signatures on his nominating petition.
Three months later, Russell has outraised Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, by $511,000 in the most recent fundraising quarter. The quarter ended on June 30.
While the veteran congressmen still has more than $1.6 million in the bank compared to $918,000 for the Army lieutenant colonel, the money is a much needed boost for the political newcomer's campaign.
“The average American is saying that's enough,” said Peg Luksik, Russell's campaign manager. “Right now they are voting with their pocketbooks. They want to volunteer and keep saying how can I help?”
Russell's campaign has $270,000 in cash on hand and about $242,000 in debt, while Murtha has more than $644,000 and about $3,700 in debt, according to the Federal Election Commission.
Luksik said even she is surprised with the response to Russell's campaign. The majority of his contributions were less than $50 and about 16,000 people made donations, Luksik said. Russell raised $670,000 while Murtha raised $119,000.
“About 73 percent of his donations are less than $50,” she said. “That's pretty amazing. This is truly a grassroots campaign.”
Russell's fundraising efforts are mostly direct mailers and donations through his Web site. Luksik said a lot of first-time contributors are giving to his campaign.
“A lady told me, ‘I've never in my whole life contributed to a campaign,'” Luksik said. “I don't think she is alone.”
She said she thinks voters have had enough of the “Washington mentality.”
Murtha's press secretary Matt Mazonkey declined comment.
Russell cannot campaign until after Aug. 1, when he completes his active military service. At that time he plans to begin campaigning heavily, Luksik said.
His campaign recently unveiled a new Web site, russellbrigade.com, for people to keep up with campaign activities. Russell decided to run against Murtha because of his negative comments about the Iraq War.
“The response has been so positive,” Luksik said. “I'm really pleased.”
In February, a state judge ruled Russell did not collect enough signatures to make the primary ballot. He later received more than 4,000 write-in votes in the April primary to get his name on the ballot for the general election.
Murtha has served in Congress since 1974. Two years ago, Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey tried to unseat the veteran politician with a high-profile conservative campaign. Murtha won with about 60 percent of the vote.
(Michelle Ganassi can be reached at michelleg@dailyamerican.com. Comment on this story online at dailyamerican.com.)
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He is not getting ANY help for the Penn GOP. As a matter of fact, it was two ‘’Republicans’’ that challenged the petition.
‘’The challenge to Russell’s petitions came from two local Republicans (RINOS ) and was backed by Murtha’s campaign’’
The challenge was filed by two local ‘’Republican’’ Former Johnstown Mayor Don Zucco and attorney Jeanne McKelvey.
Does Russell have a serious chance to win? I sent a bunch of money to Irey last time around, and of course she got stomped (I’m still getting e-mails from her telling me what a great job she’s doing for me as commissioner of whatever county they’re in, though), so I don’t want to throw good money after bad, but I’ll contribute if we really might be able to get Traitor Jack out of the congressional menagerie.
Thanks for trying, MM.
I donated today and it went right thru. I know that many of the items on the donation form are mandatory that they be filled out. The only thing I can figure is that you may have missed one.
I hope this trend can continue. It is a damn shame Diana did not have adequate support last time around. But perhaps her campaign planted the required seeds to uproot this ex Marine.
It's a choice we all must make. To me, it's important to keep pressure on Murtha any way I can and any way we can.
Murtha wants a free ride, he's shown his true colors time and time again.
From my point of view, I have no intention of ever getting off his back.
As to your question, "Does Russell have a serious chance to win?", the answer depends on us.
But if that doesn't work, I suggest you send an e-mail to pluksik@aol.com (Peg Luksik - Russell for Congress Campaign Manager) and tell her you want to help out.
That’s good, I should have thought about giving Peg’s email.
Those bums in CO got lucky, were the games on TV?
I hope Russell is letting the voters know who is blocking the drilling for oil.
We'd score runs in the early innings, our starting pitchers would get the Rockies out for the early innings as well.
All four went that way.
But every game, after the first three or four innings, our pitchers would fall apart, even our relievers from the bullpen.
On top of that, our bats went cold after those early innings as well.
Heck, Jaz, they swept the four games, we got slaughtered.
All in all, it's been a sad weekend in Mudville.
That’s too bad. When I saw they were swept I looked at the scores and couldn’t hardly believe it.
A week or so ago their bats were on fire, later this week you and the Mrs. gotta go to the games and wake em up! :-)
Please add me to your ping list!
Welcome FranklinsTower, you’re on.
We demonstrated outside his office every weekend. Sadly, with the way the state legislature drew the district lines, we're stuck with another dem ... AKA Nancy's Lapdog Dennis.
Make up some signs, demonstrate against Murtha and make the public aware.
We've been talking about just that. Mrs. Smooth wants us to go to the game on my birthday, August 8th, but the Pirates are out of town in Philly. The closest is August 12th with Cincy here at home, so we're kinda shooting for that. ;-)
Thanks Dave! BTW, that "Termination Notice, You're Fired" sign may work well here. I appreciate the headsup!
I sent him $250 from ‘Bama.
You know I’m in with both feet!!!
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