Tag: Blue Catapult

When incumbent GOP Representative Wayne Gilchrest lost his primary to a “Club for Growth” backed extremist, Maryland’s First Congressional District became competitive — and with help, could actually favor the Democratic candidate, Frank Kratovil.  When Blue Catapult PAC held an event for Frank, we learned that not only is he a great candidate, but that the dynamics of the district make it ripe for a Democratic pickup.

Why can MD-01 turn Blue?

Frank is a Great Candidate. He is the current State’s Attorney for Queen Anne’s County, and he is in court in the morning and campaigns later in the day. Unlike his opponent, he is a native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, which comprises about half the voters and are very protective of their congressional representation. Frank is a lifelong Democrat and was President of Maryland Young Democrats when he was younger. He is outspoken against the War and supports a sane fiscal policy.

This is now an Open Seat. With the moderate Wayne Gilchrest losing his primary, the seat is now truly competitive. The district breaks down in Party ID to about 40% Democrat, 40% Republican and 20% independent. Gilchrest represented the district well with his moderation, including opposing the continuation of the War, and not always supporting Bush’s tax policies. As this is going to be a truly competitive seat, it should get most of the attention of Maryland’s Democratic political apparatus.

Frank’s opponent is Too Conservative for the District. The right-wing 527 “Club for Growth” put in over $1 million in media and mailings in beating Gilchrest and will probably do more in the Fall. Gilchrest has not endorsed the man who beat him in the primary and some of his former staff are already helping Kratovil. The GOP candidate, Andy Harris, is a state representative who believes that taxes are too high and government should leave business alone. As Frank said to us on Tuesday, with all the problems in the country — the War, health care, the environment, etc. — all Harris talks about is taxes.Gilchrest’s independence fit the district well — Harris’ knee-jerk conservatism does not. he is alos from the Baltimore metropolitan area which will put Eastern Shore resident ill at ease.

But to make this District blue, Frank needs your help. While his Cash on Hand at the end of last quarter was not far from Harris’, the Club for Growth spending will add unofficial troughs to his campaign. Once Frank gets his message out he should win — but he needs the resources to do that.

Please Contribute to Frank Kratovil HERE

Just $15, $20 or $30 will go a long way as the more funding Frank gets now, the more seriously the national party will take his campaign.
Thank you.

Please Contribute to Frank Kratovil HERE

Frank Kratovil is the Democrat running for the seat currently held by GOP moderate Wayne Gilchrest who lost his primary. The current GOP nominee, Andy Harris, is an extreme right-wing, Club for Growth backed candidate who had hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on his behalf. Frank is a great candidate who is a solid Democrat — and with support can definitely win this district.

Tonight (Tuesday, May 13) Blue Catapult PAC and WNDC Pac will cohost a fundraiser for Frank Kratovil.  We are asking for minimum contributions of $35 — with the open wine/beer bar and food, it is a great deal.  Plus Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin are expected to join us after votes.

Tuesday, May 13

6:30PM to 8:00PM

at the Woman’s National Democratic Club

1526 New Hampshire Ave, NW

Washington, DC 200036On the corner of Q Street and New Hampshire Ave, NW-about 3 blocks east of the DuPont Circle North Metro Exit

If you might attend, please email frankevent [at] bluecatapult.com

If you can’t come, please consider a contribution to Frank’s campaign here:

http://www.actblue.com/page/bl…

Our PAC, Blue Catapult, is holding its first fundraiser next Tuesday in Washington, DC.  We support Democratic congressional candidates who are challenging incumbent Republicans or Republican-held open seats.  The idea is that incumbents should do well on their own in raising money, but if we want to expand the Democrats’ majority in Congress, then we need to help emerging Democratic challengers in their campaigns.

So we need some help right now in identifying good Democratic challengers, and we are hoping that you can provide some nominations.  Here are our criteria:

1) The Democratic congressional candidate must be running for a seat currently occupied by a Republican, whether the incumbent is running for reelection or not.

2) The candidate must have a clear path to the nomination.  No primary challenge.

3) The candidate must have a decent campaign operation.  Our support is for candidates who, with some more support and attention, could become a competitive seat.

4) The campaign should not be a top target of the DCCC.  We want to help emerging candidates, not ones who are already assured of good support.

If you know of any good candidates, please post them in comments.  We will choose 5 candidates, and at our event next Tuesday the attendees will vote and the top two will be the recipients of our first contributions.

So, in the comments below, please nominate potential candidates for us to support with some explanation as to why they are good investments.  If you want more info about us, please visit www.bluecatapult.com  We will of course post our decisions and results as they are determined.

Thanks for your help.