That Washington
3rd District Republicans Say Herrera—Not the Tea Party—is "The New Face of the Party."
At Republican Jaime Herrera's campaign kick-off breakfast this morning, in rainy, gloomy Vancouver, Republicans ate eggs and bacon in the meeting hall of the Vancouver Hilton and listened to stump speeches by Herrera—who's running for retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. Brian Baird's 3rd Congressional District seat, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA,5), and former Republican U.S. Senator Slade Gorton who called her an "independent voice."
After State Rep. Kevin Parker (R-Spokane), introduced Herrera, awkwardly comparing her to Abraham Lincoln in a convoluted anecdote about how the nineteenth-century president stood up for America right before being assassinated, Herrera, currently a state Rep from the 18th District (Clark and Cowlitz Counties) took the stage. She focused on the high levels of unemployment in the 3rd district—southwest Washington—and, above all, she criticized the federal government for out-of-control spending.
"They really do think they know better how to spend your money, how to raise your children, how to run your businesses," said Herrera in front of about 325 supporters, by her campaign's estimate. "I do believe that the American dream, which is to pass on a better life to a younger generation, is at stake," Herrera said.
Herrera derided the climate bill passed in the house last year, saying the bill would add substantially to people's energy payments in a time of economic crisis, comparing it to an income tax increase and mentioning she was saving to buy a home with her husband. She also derided the health care legislation signed into law back in March as a government mandate on what should be a consumer decision. (Democratic incumbent Baird voted for the climate bill and the health care bill.)
Herrera also talked up her state House vote against the repeal of I-960, which required a two-thirds majority to raise taxes (the Democrats succeeded in suspending I-960). "During my time in the state legislature, I have fought against wasteful government spending," Herrera said. "I worked to build an environment where businesses and families can grow and prosper."
It was clear those gathered liked Herrera, who's raised about $200,000 with $140,000 on hand, because they thought she could unite a possibly-fractured Republican party, even as Tea Partiers line up behind Herrera's opponent in the de facto GOP primary, David Castillo. (Freedom Works, the PAC of Tea Party leader and former Republican U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey, endorsed Castillo. They also endorsed Tea Partiers Rand Paul in Kentucky and Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania).
When I caught up with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA,5) she talked about Herrera's “innovative” work on Republican health care proposals in Washington D.C. (Herrera was McMorris Rodgers' aide from 2004). She also emphasized that Herrera has the image of a politician who could help the GOP win in 2010. “She's a young, Hispanic female,” McMorris Rodgers said. “She represents the new face of the party.”
I also talked to Kelso real estate broker and former state Senator Hal Palmer (R-18) after the breakfast. Palmer told me he was frustrated that the Tea Party, showing no real ideological differences from the Republicans, was taking momentum away from the GOP. “The Tea Party is a place for people who want to be party-less, but who are voicing much of what we want to do,” Palmer said.
Palmer highlighted Herrera's gender as a primary force behind her strong candidacy, arguing that its harder for Republican men to get elected than women. "Who was the last male to win as a Republican for a Congressional seat around here? I don't know. It was before I was born. We need a Republican to win, and Jaime Herrera has the best shot,” he said.
When I caught up with her, Herrera downplayed the identity politics, and gravitated back to stump mode. "Voters here are very independent," Herrera said, citing the elections of Linda Smith, a Republican who represented the 3rd district from 1995 to 1999, and current Rep. Brian Baird, the Democrat who replaced Smith. "Maybe the national party is looking for those characteristics, but I'm concerned about the people who live here."
Jaime Herrera at her campaign kickoff this morning with her husband and U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Slade Gorton.
After State Rep. Kevin Parker (R-Spokane), introduced Herrera, awkwardly comparing her to Abraham Lincoln in a convoluted anecdote about how the nineteenth-century president stood up for America right before being assassinated, Herrera, currently a state Rep from the 18th District (Clark and Cowlitz Counties) took the stage. She focused on the high levels of unemployment in the 3rd district—southwest Washington—and, above all, she criticized the federal government for out-of-control spending.
"They really do think they know better how to spend your money, how to raise your children, how to run your businesses," said Herrera in front of about 325 supporters, by her campaign's estimate. "I do believe that the American dream, which is to pass on a better life to a younger generation, is at stake," Herrera said.
Herrera derided the climate bill passed in the house last year, saying the bill would add substantially to people's energy payments in a time of economic crisis, comparing it to an income tax increase and mentioning she was saving to buy a home with her husband. She also derided the health care legislation signed into law back in March as a government mandate on what should be a consumer decision. (Democratic incumbent Baird voted for the climate bill and the health care bill.)
Herrera also talked up her state House vote against the repeal of I-960, which required a two-thirds majority to raise taxes (the Democrats succeeded in suspending I-960). "During my time in the state legislature, I have fought against wasteful government spending," Herrera said. "I worked to build an environment where businesses and families can grow and prosper."
It was clear those gathered liked Herrera, who's raised about $200,000 with $140,000 on hand, because they thought she could unite a possibly-fractured Republican party, even as Tea Partiers line up behind Herrera's opponent in the de facto GOP primary, David Castillo. (Freedom Works, the PAC of Tea Party leader and former Republican U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey, endorsed Castillo. They also endorsed Tea Partiers Rand Paul in Kentucky and Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania).
When I caught up with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA,5) she talked about Herrera's “innovative” work on Republican health care proposals in Washington D.C. (Herrera was McMorris Rodgers' aide from 2004). She also emphasized that Herrera has the image of a politician who could help the GOP win in 2010. “She's a young, Hispanic female,” McMorris Rodgers said. “She represents the new face of the party.”
I also talked to Kelso real estate broker and former state Senator Hal Palmer (R-18) after the breakfast. Palmer told me he was frustrated that the Tea Party, showing no real ideological differences from the Republicans, was taking momentum away from the GOP. “The Tea Party is a place for people who want to be party-less, but who are voicing much of what we want to do,” Palmer said.
Palmer highlighted Herrera's gender as a primary force behind her strong candidacy, arguing that its harder for Republican men to get elected than women. "Who was the last male to win as a Republican for a Congressional seat around here? I don't know. It was before I was born. We need a Republican to win, and Jaime Herrera has the best shot,” he said.
When I caught up with her, Herrera downplayed the identity politics, and gravitated back to stump mode. "Voters here are very independent," Herrera said, citing the elections of Linda Smith, a Republican who represented the 3rd district from 1995 to 1999, and current Rep. Brian Baird, the Democrat who replaced Smith. "Maybe the national party is looking for those characteristics, but I'm concerned about the people who live here."
