All of the above comments reflect an old way of thinking that you never let an opponent run unopposed. Unfortunately, dware's results are typical of that way of thinking; and contrary to showing a strong party by having a full slate, a 3-to-1 defeat is more likely to scare off potential candidates. Furthermore, a humiliating defeat may very likely taint you (if not the party) as a joke and close future options/runs.
A smarter strategy is to run top-notch candidates with the following characteristics:
a) name recognition and/or community service and business prominence (or the understanding that it is going to take 2 years of personal contact to develop the candidate's image
b) the ability and understanding that it is going to take LOTS of money -- especially to unseat an incumbent. With MO term limits ideally you would wait until it is an open seat to better level the field.
c) recognition that you have two opponents in a Democratic district: the opposing candidate, and the district itself. Look at straight party votes in this (and past) elections to get a handle on the R to D support built in by hardcore voters.
d) plenty of time to work the campaign -- and it is your work. You will not defeat an incumbent or a democratic base by being a weekend and evening campaigner -- you will run out of time.
e) be comfortable meeting and talking to people and asking for money.
A STRONG county party (even if not large/wealthy), using its resources wisely can support a fresh candidate willing to show he means business and recognizes the challenge. If the party, however is more worried about having a name on every line, nobody will get much support (except maybe the sure things).
BACKGROUND: My county just went through this very situation to fill an open seat in a Dem District (that was made MORE Dem with the last redistricting) that had been traditionally 60/40 to 65/35. We had a great candidate: who knew he had to raise $20-30k; who was fairly well-known as a community leader; a plan as a party to work his campaign all the way (phone banks, voter ID, Lit drops, GOTV, absentee letters, signs, endorsement postcards...); and a relatively weak opponent.
His race drew enough attention and had such potential that the senate, legislative, congressional and state parties all jumped on board with donations, advertising, ... He ended up losing with only 44%...in what will ultimately turn out to be about an $80k campaign.
Our conclusion...we weren't able to defeat the Dem beast. Straight Dem party votes in the district were 2 to 3 times the Republican and made up as much as half of the votes cast in some precincts.
The conclusion:a)do your homework first
b)realize that the candidate is not your only foe
c)if you think you have name recognition and know a lot of people in your district, stand in front of a local Walmart for a few hours and see how many people you actually know (and how many actually know you by first and last name), or even better get a voter list (party's can often help here) and see how many you actually know in the district.
You are applying for a job! Know who you are going to be working for, and what it will really take to get the job.
That said, good luck on the campaign trail.
Good advice. It has the clear sound of experience. And I always listen carefully to experience. Thanks for enlightening us.