Solid Principles » Missouri Republicans

Martin May Switch to Missouri Governor’s Race

john — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:22:25 +0000

By: David Cantanese

Former U.S. Senate candidate and current Missouri congressional candidate Ed Martin is now considering his third contest of the 2012 cycle: A race for governor.

Appearing on Mark Reardon’s St. Louis radio program Tuesday afternoon, the conservative talk show host asked Martin to get in the race and Martin replied, “I will consider it.”

“People are asking me to consider it, that’s very nice and I appreciate it,” Martin said.

But the risk of the move could be heard in Martin’s voice. He’s already switched races once this cycle — another flip would easily earn him the “opportunist” tag from Democrats and Republican foes alike.

There’s also the calculation of whether he can still win the 2nd Congressional District being vacated by Rep. Todd Akin.

Former ambassador Ann Wagner is blowing him away in fundraising and endorsements, but Martin still believes his name recognition from 2010 and deep grassroots support could help him overcome those disadvantages in the August primary.

On the other hand, with Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder stepping aside, Republicans are left without a clear frontrunner to confront first-term Democrat Jay Nixon to fill out the top of the ticket.

Businessman Dave Spence is in the contest with the support of Kinder and his team, but Auditor Tom Schweich is also considering the race and Martin made clear the option remains on the table.

Especially if Wagner looks like she’s running away with the 2nd District.

“If at some point it becomes obvious of a better way I can serve, then I’ll decide,” Martin said.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/1111/Martin_may_switch_to_Missouri_governors_race_.html

Ed Martin Pulls Ahead of Tax and Spend Carnahan

john — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 04:49:09 +0000

GATEWAYPUNDIT.COM

Republican Ed Martin has pulled ahead of Russ Carnahan according to a poll by American Viewpoint (Linda DiVall, Randy Guttermuth). The poll says 51% of likely voters are now supporting conservative Ed Martin.

Fox News Sues Carnahan Over Ad

john — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:29:11 +0000

By: Josh Gerstein
POLITICO

Fox News has filed an unusual lawsuit against the Democratic nominee for Senate in Missouri, Robin Carnahan, over a campaign ad that uses video from “Fox News Sunday” to take a shot at her Republican opponent, Rep. Roy Blunt.

In the suit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., Fox contends that the 30-second TV spot violates copyright law. Fox host Chris Wallace, who is named as a plaintiff in the case, is also claiming that the Carnahan camp misappropriated his likeness and invaded his privacy by suggesting that he favors Carnahan in the Senate race.

“In a smear ad against political rival Roy Blunt, Defendant Robin Carnahan for Senate, Inc. usurped proprietary footage from the Fox News Network to made it appear – falsely – that FNC and Christopher Wallace, one of the nation’s most respected political journalists, are endorsing Robin Carnahan’s campaign for United States Senate,” the suit says.

Carnahan’s campaign is striking a defiant stance in response to the suit—insisting that the ad is legal and vowing to keep it on the air.

“We stand behind our ad,” said Carnahan campaign press secretary Linden Zakula. “It’s unclear why Fox News refuses to stand by its own content that simply asked questions about Congressman Blunt’s Washington record and ties to convicted felon lobbyist Jack Abramoff.”

Carnahan, currently Missouri Secretary of State, is also trying to raise money off the move by Fox. “Late last night, Fox News filed a lawsuit against our campaign. We’re fighting back. We’re not backing down,” her website says. “Donate.”

Read more at politico.com/blogs……

Missouri Just Said “NO” to Obamacare!

john — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:08:48 +0000

MISSOURINET.COM

Missourians approve Prop C, the Health Care Freedom Act

By: Jessica Machetta on August 3, 2010

Proposition C, also known as the Health Care Freedom Act, has been approved by Missouri voters.

Prop C was placed on the ballot as a referendum after being passed by the Missouri Legislature and authorizes Missourians to opt out of the federal healthcare plan passed by Congress earlier this year.

With 2,681 of 3,354 precincts reporting, 72.7 percent of Missouri voters approved the measure.

“Tonight is a historic night,” said Lt. Governor Peter Kinder. “Missourians have the distinction of being the first Americans to go to the ballot box and reject the reckless federal health care takeover. From Massachusetts to Virginia to Missouri, voters are rejecting the extreme liberal agenda being forced upon our nation by an out-of-control federal government.”

Kinder has filed a lawsuit against the federal government on behalf of Missouri, claiming the federal healthcare plan is unconstitutional.

Clearly the measure is split down party lines.

Kinder is the only Republican to hold statewide office. Democrats Gov. Nixon and Attorney General Chris Koster did not support the move.

Sen. Jane Cunningham, a Republican, fostered the bill through the Missouri Senate.

“Missourians have sent Washington a clear message: stay out of our health care decisions,” she said. “For more than a year, Americans have taken to the streets to protest the federal government’s irresponsible agenda. Washington liberals didn’t listen when they rammed through Congress their reckless health care bill — but they can’t help but hear us now.”

Cunningham noted that Prop C does present a conflict with federal law and the case will likey come down to a decision by the Supreme Court.

She also noted that Prop C does not prevent Missourians from participating in the federal healthcare system, it simply gives them a choice.

Four other states will vote on a similar measure in upcoming primaries.

Ed Martin Surges: Carnahan Stalls

john — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:19:54 +0000

ST. LOUIS, MO.) July 23, 2010 – Today, the political world is wondering about the stalled fundraising of Congressman Russ Carnahan as his opponent Ed Martin continues to surge. In the final report before the primary, Carnahan reports raising just over $9,000, while Ed Martin nearly doubled this with more than $18,000.

More troubling for Democrat watchers is Carnahan’s big spending. The FEC reports show Carnahan spent quite a bit more than he actually brought in. He only raised $9,375 yet he spent $12,432. A portion of his expenses went to relocating even more staff to help with his campaign. Carnahan now employs two Capitol Hill politicos as his top staffers Angela Barranco from Whip Crowley’s office and Angela Guyadeen from Marion Berry’s office, not to mention another staffer brought in from Louisiana.

Meanwhile Ed Martin continues to show steady growth and common sense spending as he quickly closes in on Carnahan regarding his campaign’s cash on hand. Ed Martin raised $18,207 yet only spent $6,805.

“Even in fundraising Congressman Carnahan serves as a prime example of the wasteful spending that is currently so rampant in Washington. The people of Missouri’s 3^rd district don’t want someone who would throw away money on hiring Washington-insiders to help them do their bidding. They want a representative who uses common sense when it comes to money – someone who will take spending seriously. Carnahan’s spending is on track with the deficit problems plaguing our country and mortgaging our children’s future,’ said congressional candidate Ed Martin.

Ed Martin’s fundraising speaks volumes as to what the people want. In these last days before the primary, candidates are required to report contributions over $1,000 within 48 hours. Ed Martin just received two of these from Missourians who are worried about the future. Carnahan has reported none.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.