A while back I posted a more optimistic version of this diary that did manage to get some fundraising accomplished for some important House races. I was hoping that we would win the FL-13 special election and that would be a sign of momentum on the Dem side...but we didn't win and I think the Greedy Oil Party still has the momentum for now.
But we STILL have a shot at reversing that. Obamacare is turning more popular now and that will help. And I think immigration reform, marriage equality and minimum wage are also issues that the Dems are starting to be popular on.
But the main thing we have to do is start pushing into red territory. So below I want to highlight our best chances of picking up seats from the Repubs. There are certainly other races worth paying attention to, but I think these are the key races to 2014 where we have a real shot at flipping a seat from red to blue.
The Greedy Oil Party has, more than ever, become the party of "No!" The party of obstructionism. The Republicans don't care about governing America anymore, all they care about is raw, naked power and greed.
We have to fight back. We have to turn the momentum around.
Want to win big in 2014? These are the races we need to start with! You can donate to these campaigns on my Key House Races 2014 ActBlue Site.
I have already raised over $450...can we get that up to $1000?
THE TOP FIVE: These are pretty much our best shots at picking up House seats...and have to be considered "MUST WIN."
Staci Appel IA-03
This might be our most important race to take from the Republicans. It is a seat that has been held by the Greedy Oil Party for some time, but it is now a solid toss up. That means it is critical that we win this one. Having roots in Iowa (my father is from there) I would love to see this seat get flipped to blue. Staci Appel is our likely candidate...and the Repubs have their dirty tricks squad out to get her with a fake website even before she is officially the Dem nominee!
And on a historical note, if Staci Appel is elected it will be the FIRST TIME Iowa elects a woman to Federal office. I think it is about time Iowa is represented by a woman in Congress!
You can DONATE TO WIN HERE.
Andrew Romanoff CO-06
Another key pick up opportunity. This is a dead heat and one of our best chances to flip a seat. Colorado also has a somewhat close race for Governor this year, so pushing hard in this seat helps state wide candidates as well. This seat was formerly held by Tom Tancredo and would be particularly sweet to flip. I have been pushing to win this seat for years now (ever since Tancredo voted against helping Hurricane Katrina victims) and this year is our best shot. Romanoff has made raising the minimum wage a key part of his campaign. GREAT candidate (though his website is kind of lousy!)
Sadly, the best video I find relevant to Andrew's 2014 campaign is a REPUBLICAN video highlighting Andrew Romanoff's strong support for Obamacare! Still, pro-Obamacare and pro-raising minimum wage makes him a top candidate in my book!
You can DONATE TO WIN HERE.
Aimee Belgard NJ-03
Yet another one of our best chances of flipping a seat to blue. People think of NJ as a blue state, but this race is a dead heat and the Repubs are sweating it. Winning this seat would help solidify New Jersey as a blue state. She is also another voice for increasing the minimum wage!
You can DONATE TO WIN HERE.
Amanda Renteria CA-21
Another pick up chance...a slightly red district in a "blue" state. I think we are trending blue here anyway and picking it up now could lock it into the Dem camp for many elections to come (similar to what Loretta Sanchez did to a formerly solid red district in California's Orange County). I like Amanda Renteria because she used to be a high school teacher...and I am all for electing more teachers to office!
You can DONATE TO WIN HERE.
Sean Eldridge NY-19
This is one of a handful of prime chances to flip a red seat in NY state blue, and it is the one where the odds are most evenly balanced. This is another race where the Greedy Oil Party is so desperate to win they created a fake website to smear Sean Eldridge. They don't think they can win this one honestly, so the Repubs once again stooped to lying.
You can DONATE TO WIN HERE.
I want to add a couple here that are long shots but are worth fighting for both because we CAN win them and because they will help win Senate and/or Governor races.
Patrick Henry Hays AR-02
Another red district we have a shot of winning...and another district where a strong Dem showing could help us in Senate and Governor races. Swinging both the House and holding the Senate depend a great deal on this one district. Former Mayor of North Little Rock Patrick Henry Hays is our candidate here.
You can DONATE TO WIN HERE.
Nick Rahall WV-03
The Koch brothers are desperate to defeat Nick Rahall...and we need to defend this seat...it is also a district where high Dem turnout will help the statewide race for Senate, a race we strongly have to defend. AND, this is yet another race targeted by a dirty tricks campaign by the Greedy Oil Party. Rahall is conservative for a Dem, but it would be far worse if the Koch Brothers have their way in this district.
You can DONATE TO WIN HERE.
Let's get out there and win folks! Momentum can be reversed and above are some places to get started.