Posted on 10/13/2010 10:22:31 AM PDT by llevrok
Move over Christine O'Donnell.
The new Tea Party star and fund raising machine is Kristi Noem, a rancher, mother of three and GOP candidate for congress from South Dakota.
Noem, 38, who's a state representative and relatively unknown on the national scene, has raised $1.1 million in the last three months more than any Republican congressional challenger in the U.S. and roughly twice as much as her Democratic incumbent opponent, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, ABC News reported.
In their quest to win back control of the House, Republicans have set their sights on Dems like Herseth-Sandlin, who ranks among the top GOP targets in November.
And already Noem has been compared by bloggers (with both criticism and praise) to her fellow Tea Party darlings, Sarah Palin and Christine O'Donnell, for their similar looks, personality, and seemingly quick rise to stardom.
Recent surveys indicate the race will be tight. According to a Rasmussen poll released last week, 47% said they would vote for Noem, compared to Herseth Sandlin's 44%. But since there was a 4.5% margin of error, the race remains a tossup.
And Noem isn't the only Tea Party favorite with an impressive war chest. Sharron Angle, Nevada's GOP Senate hopeful, raised a whopping $14 million in the past three monthsthe biggest fundraising quarter for any Senate hopeful this year (excluding those who have tapped into their personal fortunes).
Noem also has more cash on hand with $777,000 compared to her opponent's $500,000. And Noem's three-month cash-raising spree is more than what Herseth Sandlin raised in 2006 and 2008 combined.
Ken Blanchard, a political science professor at Northern State University in Aberdeen, who also runs a conservative blog, told Sioux Falls newspaper, the Argus Leader, that supporters are losing faith in Herseth Sandlin.
"Raising half the funds of a challenger in a race where you're tied or behind in the polls is a very bad sign for an incumbent," he said.
But the Dems are fighting back, branding Noem as having a "reckless disregard for the law" after her driving record surfaced -- she received 20 speeding tickets and other traffic violations in the past two decades.
And the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee stressed to the Wall Street Journal that reduced funding wasn't akin to a lack of support or enthusiasm for Herseth Sandlin, who labels herself an independent, moderate voice in South Dakota.
"The DCCC has invested heavily in this race and remains fully committed to Stephanie Herseth Sandlin's campaign," said Chairman Chris Van Hollen.
Tea Party Hottie
If I recall, you have a ping list for admirers of hot conservative women. This lady looks like she fits that category.
If anyone hasn’t done a calender of conservative beauties, It’s time to do one now. The proceeds could go to Free Republic.
Clearly, we’ll need more evidence before we can render an informed judgment...........
that a plus in South Dakota. I saw her on TV awesome. She said she didn't need Sarah Palin all her ads were on horseback. Her opponent is pretty Conservative, should be GOP.
Anyone know if Thune is campaigning for/with her..it’s an at-large seat....it used to be his..same as a Senate race, essentially...and he should be out there with her, as well as helping her to raise money..
Didn’t Sharron Angle raise $14 million in the July thru Sept quarter?
I don’t get this headline/comparison.
If she is running for a state position, maybe. But I think there are others who have raised more than $1.1 million.
Have ANY of you EVER driven in South Dakota?
Miles & miles of lotsa miles & miles.
Easy to speed. Long—flat—good roads. Long distances between places.
Same thing here in Nevada.
Are they only comparing candidates for the House? Not the Senate?
BTW- Very glad to see a rancher running for Congress.
Time the elites learned something about who is FEEDING them.
On the one hand, South Dakota is such a law-abiding place that one parking ticket per year might actually be a political issue. On the other hand, many South Dakotans don’t regard traffic rules as actual laws - just guidelines!
conservative hottie ping
Noem is a real South Dakotan and does not have to use slick media to portray her as such.
Hottie Ping!
To be on or off the Hottie Ping List please FReepmail me.
There is a long history of SD politicians with speeding and traffic violations. Republican Ex-Governor and Congressman Bill Janklow was nortorious and admitted to habitual speeding. He eventually killed a farmer and was convicted and went to prison for manslaughter.
She is one pretty girl!
Dig that smile and those fabulous eyes!
...she received 20 speeding tickets and other traffic violations in the past two decades...
??????
Really???
You don’t say....
She needs a faster car.
Much better looking than Palin, smarter too.
She looks good to ME!
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