Iraq War Vet Kevin Strouse (D. PA-08) running against Tea Party Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R. PA-08)
Great news for my PA Kossacks:
http://atr.rollcall.com/...=
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced Friday its latest round of candidates in “Red to Blue,” a program that targets open-seat races and districts held by Republicans.
House Democrats must pick up 17 seats to win control of that chamber — a daunting task in a midterm election. Offensive opportunities, like those in the Red to Blue program, are vital to the party’s mission. The DCCC released its first round of 35 Red to Blue candidates earlier this year.
“All of these candidates have met and surpassed demanding campaign goals, and shown they have a path to victory and have what it takes to win,” DCCC Chairman Steve Israel said in a statement. “I look forward to working with them through November to build campaigns that give voice to all the middle class voters left behind by this Republican Congress.” - Roll Call, 6/6/14
And look who made the list:
http://thehill.com/...
Iraq War Vet Manan Trivedi (D. PA-06)
The nine Democrats are all recent primary winners in potentially competitive races: Former FEMA Director James Lee Witt in Arkansas, Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar and beekeeper Michael Eggman in California, state Rep. Pat Murphy and Iraq War veteran Jim Mowrer in Iowa, Nebraska state Sen. Brad Ashford, military veterans Kevin Strouse and Manan Trivedi in Pennsylvania, and former West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Nick Casey.
The additions double the full Red to Blue list. - The Hill, 6/6/14
Emphasis mine.
This is great news because both Trivedi and Strouse are great candidates with serious shots. The GOP knows this and that's why they're sending in the big dogs to help their candidates:
http://www.politicspa.com/...
On Wednesday, Congressman and former Vice-Presidential nominee Paul Ryan made a surprise appearance at a National Republican Congressional Committee fundraiser for Ryan Costello, the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District.
“Congressman Paul Ryan came to the district to talk about the importance of electing Ryan Costello to replace outgoing Congressman Jim Gerlach,” explained Peter Towey, the Campaign Manager at Ryan Costello for Congress
Pennsylvania’s 6th has been represented by Republican Jim Gerlach since 2003, but in early January 2014, Rep. Gerlach announced that he would not seek a seventh term in the Fall.
Additionally, Towey revealed that Rep. Ryan spoke of the significance of defeating Democratic candidate Manan Trivedi, who unsuccessfully ran against Rep. Gerlach in 2010 and 2012, and their current degree of confidence in the upcoming election. - Politics PA, 6/6/14
And Democrats are united in defeating Tea Party Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (R. PA-08):
http://www.politicspa.com/...
It was a competitive, close primary contest but now Democrats in Pennsylvania’s Eighth Congressional District are focusing their sights on Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick.
That was the message of last night’s “unity” event between Democratic nominee Kevin Strouse and his primary opponent Shaughnessy Naughton.
Held at the Pag’s Pub and Wine Bar, a narrow space in the heart of Doylestown, about seventy supporters turned out to bury the interparty hatchet.
Both Strouse and Naughton gave brief comments to the assembled crowd. Strouse thanked those who came and applauded Naughton’s effort.
“Any candidate who climbs into the arena and runs for elective office deserves all our respect,” he said.
Naughton sought to rally the faithful against Fitzpatrick as well as pointing out that the Democrats need just two seats to take over the State Senate (if Wolf were to win the Governor’s race). - Politics PA, 6/5/14
If we're serious about taking back the House, we need to get serious about these two races. Click below to donate and get involved with Trivedi and Strouse's campaigns:
http://www.trivediforcongress.com/
http://www.kevinstrouse.com/