A fourth Republican is preparing to take on freshman Democrat Jim Himes in Connecticut's 4th District race, now that the biggest GOP recruit, state Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, has bowed out.
Jim Himes
Finance industry veteran Rob Merkle released a statement Monday announcing that he had formed a campaign committee to run for the seat. "While I have never been a 'professional politician,' I cannot sit on the sidelines and watch while this administration and its supporters continue to undermine the fundamental principles upon which this country was founded - liberty, opportunity, and free markets," Merkle said in the statement.
Merkle is president of Management Recruiters of Westport LLC, a recruitment firm for the financial industry and has never held political office. He joins state Sen. Dan Debicella, attorney and former state Sen. Robert Russo, and nonprofit executive Will Gregory among the candidates exploring or running for the seat.
Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Chris Healy told CQ Politics last week that he believed both Russo and Debicella would make viable candidates against Himes, noting both have strong party ties in the district. Gregory and Merkle lack such political standing, but Merkle is hoping to play up his political outsider status.
And, he added, "I'm a political newcomer so I'm surrounding myself with some very experienced staff." He declined to name his campaign team, but said he had hired six people to senior posts.
Merkle also said he is actively reaching out to the state Republican party, National Republican Campaign Committee and constituencies in both the district and Washington, D.C., and is prepared to invest his own money in the race.
The 4th District offers the best prospect for Republicans to take back a seat in Connecticut, which currently has an all-Democrat delegation. But it won't be easy in the Democratic-leaning state. Himes narrowly defeated incumbent Christopher Shays in 2008. The district backed 2008 Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama over Republican John McCain 60 percent to 40 percent.
Himes has already built up a solid campaign war chest for 2010 -- $760,000 at the end of June. And the former investment banker has personal wealth he can tap into, as well.
CQ Politics rates the general election contest Leans Democratic.
To see how the 2010 House races are shaping up, check out the CQ Politics' election map.
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