Saturday, April 7, 2012

CD6 WOUNDS: Sen. David Brinkley Hasn't Endorsed Rep. Roscoe Bartlett // Plus, GOP Leaders Prop Up Bartlett Cash

Maryland Juice has two quick updates on 6th Congressional District Republican candidates. First, after the release of State Senator David Brinkley's 911 emergency calls, it appears he holds hard feelings. The Frederick News-Post reports that Mr. Brinkley has not yet endorsed the Republican nominee Rep. Roscoe Bartlett:
FREDERICK NEWS-POST: The primary is over in the 6th Congressional District, but that doesn't mean the fences have been mended.
State Sen. David Brinkley said he called to congratulate Rep. Roscoe Bartlett after his victory Tuesday night, but he was not quick to endorse the 10-term incumbent.

"He hasn't asked, and I haven't offered, but I want to keep the seat a Republican seat," Brinkley said.

Bartlett offered to meet his chief rival in the GOP primary, but no date had been set, Brinkley said.

"We'll find out what the conversation is going to be about," he said....

"We are hoping all Republicans support the congressman across the state and the district," said Ted Dacey, Bartlett's campaign manager. "He is now the nominee."

Dacey said some of Bartlett's seven challengers have already offered their support.

The campaign got ugly, especially in the final days, when 911 tapes surfaced online from an alleged domestic dispute between Brinkley and his then-wife. Accusations were made and Bartlett's campaign denied any involvement.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post takes a look back at Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's fundraising reports and highlights the fact that the 20-year incumbent's U.S. House GOP colleagues chipped in almost a quarter of his funds:
WASHINGTON POST: The official policy of congressional Republicans is to back their incumbent members in tough primaries. In the case of Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.), the party put some real cash behind that promise....

In total, Bartlett received $63,000 in contributions from the campaign accounts or political action committees of 28 different House Republican colleagues since Jan. 1, according to Federal Election Commission records. That represents roughly a quarter of the total amount Bartlett raised over the period.

Members of the party leadership were particularly generous. House Speaker John Boehner (Ohio) gave Bartlett $14,000 from two different accounts, while House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and Chief Deputy Whip Peter Roskam (Ill.) kicked in $5,000 apiece. Bartlett also got donations from the chairmen of the House Appropriations, Budget and Armed Services committees. And fellow Maryland GOP Rep. Andy Harris gave Bartlett $4,000.

Beyond the cash from individual lawmakers, Bartlett also got $5,000 from the National Republican Congressional Committee, the party’s official campaign arm, as well as donations from two different groups devoted to electing moderate Republicans — the Tuesday Group and Republican Main Street Partnership PACs.

More on the CD6 race soon!

No comments:

Post a Comment