While some Republicans steer clear of contested primaries, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is actively boosting several conservatives who face Republican challengers in 2010.
HuckPAC, the committee related to 2008 presidential candidate Huckabee, spent nearly all the money it collected in the first half of this year. The committee reported raising $305,000 through June 30 and was left with just $48,000 on hand. Among the committee's expenditures were donations to candidates in the following gubernatorial, House and Senate races:
Alabama's 5th Congressional District: $1,000 to Les Phillip, a Navy veteran and state party director. Phillip faces GOP competition from Madison County Commissioner Mo Brooks in the race to unseat freshman Democratic Rep. Parker Griffith. CQ Politics rates the general election Leans Democratic.
Arkansas' 1st: $1,000 to Rick Crawford, a farm broadcaster vying to unseat Democratic Rep. Marion Berry. CQ Politics rates the general election Safe Democratic.
Florida U.S. Senate: $2,500 to Marco Rubio, a former state House speaker, who is competing in an open seat race against Republican Gov. Charlie Crist in the primary. CQ Politics rates the general election Leans Republican.
Kansas' 1st: $1,000 to State Sen. Tim Huelskamp, who faces many Republicans in the race to succeed Republican Rep. Jerry Moran, who is vying for Senate. CQ Politics rates the 1st District general election Safe Republican.
Kansas' 4th: $1,000 to Dick Kelsey, a state senator who faces multiple Republican challengers in the race to succeed Republican Rep. Todd Tiahrt, who is running for Senate. CQ Politics rates the 4th District general election Safe Republican.
New York's 20th: $2,500 to former state Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco, who lost the open seat special election in March to Democrat Scott Murphy.
South Carolina's 3rd: $1,000 to Rex Rice, a state Representative who is in a crowded GOP race to succeed Republican Rep. J. Gresham Barrett. CQ Politics rates the 3rd District general election Safe Republican.
Statewide candidate Bob McDonnell, 2009 candidate for governor of Virginia, received a $2,500 HuckPAC donation. Bob Vander Plaats' committee for Iowa Governor in 2010 received a $2,500 HuckPAC donation. Vander Plaats is expected to be in a crowded primary race. And Virginia Attorney General candidate Ken Cuccinelli received a $2,500 donation.
A complete list of candidates endorsed by HuckPAC can be found here: http://www.huckpac.com/?Fuseaction=Candidates.Home
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Comments
In using HuckPac to influence primaries, Huckabee is showing his characteristic courage and decisiveness.
These races are a crucial test of the Governor's ability to effect political change. If HuckPAc cannot affect these races, it will indicate that Huckabee is too weak to win the nomination at present.
A more interesting result will be if HuckPac can materailly affect the outcomes of the races it gets involved in. Then, it will be worth watching whether, in affecting the political coloration of the GOP, Huckabee's efforts resonate with the electorate and broaden the GOP or whether HuckPac moves the GOP toward political isolation from the mainstream.
Posted by: Robert Chapman
| August 3, 2009 9:15 AM
What is the Huckster? Media? Pundit? Commentator? Politician? Anyone know for sure?
Posted by: Jim Bowen
| August 3, 2009 6:03 PM
What is the Huckster? Is he a politician? Journalist? Columnist? Pundit? Commentator? Anyone know for sure?
Posted by: Jim Bowen
| August 3, 2009 6:05 PM
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