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Republican House leadership stumps for Olson
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| Photo provided by Pete Olson Campaign Rep. Tom Cole (right) and Republican candidate Pete Olson (left) talk with reporters Monday, Aug. 20. Cole, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, was in town touting Olson's candidacy for Texas' 22nd Congressional District. |
By AUDREY M. MARKS
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives know November’s election is largely symbolic, especially the outcome of the race from Texas’ 22nd Congressional District.
“If we can’t win in this seat then we aren’t likely to take back the majority anytime soon and so that’s as high as the stakes can possibly be for us.,” Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said during a meeting with reporters Monday.
Cole, a ranking member among House Republicans and the chair man of the National Republican Congressional Committee, was in Sugar Land Monday helping Republican candidate Pete Olson in his bid for Congress.
The 22nd Congressional District has long been considered a Republican stronghold, until 2006 when Rep. Nick Lampson won the seat after the resignation of former House Majority Leader Tom Delay.
George Bush overwhelmingly won in the 22nd Congressional District, and Cole said he is expecting the same type of Republican turn out in November.
“His presence here really says it all,” Olson said about his race and the campaign he’s been running.
Helping Olson, a challenger in his first bid for Congress, is not part of the traditional tasks for the chairman of the NRCC.
But Cole said “this race is very high up on our list.”
In addition to lending the NRCC name recognition to unseat Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Stafford, Olson will see his war chest fatten.
“We don’t want Pete to lose because he is not adequately funded,” Cole said.
Money will be a big issue as the campaign will hit fever pitch after Labor Day.
According to the most recent campaign finance records with the Federal Election Commission, Olson still lags behind the incumbent.
Lampson reported having more than $1.6 million on July 15.
The NRCC knows Lampson has the potential to raise multiple millions to keep his seat and will be helped along the way by their across the aisle counterpart, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
During the 2006 election, Lampson spent $3.7 million to win the seat, according to analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington, D.C. based non-partisan campaign finance watchdog.
But Olson’s camp isn’t far behind. In July he had raised a total of $1,068,379.
Olson has received help with fundraisers hosted by likes of President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Rep. Mike Conoway, R-Midland.
Olson was also carrying around a portion of debt during the most recent filing period, more than $170,000 has been borrowed to finance his campaign.
Unlike Lampson, Olson had to run a candidate-laden primary and an April runoff before securing the nomination-- two events contributing to the slight lag, his campaign has explained.
Cole said the NRCC will help with funding advertisements that will “certainly talk about the differences between the candidates.”
He said the advertisements and campaigning weren’t going to be negative in his opinion, but educational.
“We’re not going into a personal attack but I would expect a vigorous debate on the issues,” Cole said. “The differences are very sharp.”
“If we can’t win in this seat then we aren’t likely to take back the majority anytime soon and so that’s as high as the stakes can possibly be for us.,” Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said during a meeting with reporters Monday.
Cole, a ranking member among House Republicans and the chair man of the National Republican Congressional Committee, was in Sugar Land Monday helping Republican candidate Pete Olson in his bid for Congress.
The 22nd Congressional District has long been considered a Republican stronghold, until 2006 when Rep. Nick Lampson won the seat after the resignation of former House Majority Leader Tom Delay.
George Bush overwhelmingly won in the 22nd Congressional District, and Cole said he is expecting the same type of Republican turn out in November.
“His presence here really says it all,” Olson said about his race and the campaign he’s been running.
Helping Olson, a challenger in his first bid for Congress, is not part of the traditional tasks for the chairman of the NRCC.
But Cole said “this race is very high up on our list.”
In addition to lending the NRCC name recognition to unseat Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Stafford, Olson will see his war chest fatten.
“We don’t want Pete to lose because he is not adequately funded,” Cole said.
Money will be a big issue as the campaign will hit fever pitch after Labor Day.
According to the most recent campaign finance records with the Federal Election Commission, Olson still lags behind the incumbent.
Lampson reported having more than $1.6 million on July 15.
The NRCC knows Lampson has the potential to raise multiple millions to keep his seat and will be helped along the way by their across the aisle counterpart, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
During the 2006 election, Lampson spent $3.7 million to win the seat, according to analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington, D.C. based non-partisan campaign finance watchdog.
But Olson’s camp isn’t far behind. In July he had raised a total of $1,068,379.
Olson has received help with fundraisers hosted by likes of President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Rep. Mike Conoway, R-Midland.
Olson was also carrying around a portion of debt during the most recent filing period, more than $170,000 has been borrowed to finance his campaign.
Unlike Lampson, Olson had to run a candidate-laden primary and an April runoff before securing the nomination-- two events contributing to the slight lag, his campaign has explained.
Cole said the NRCC will help with funding advertisements that will “certainly talk about the differences between the candidates.”
He said the advertisements and campaigning weren’t going to be negative in his opinion, but educational.
“We’re not going into a personal attack but I would expect a vigorous debate on the issues,” Cole said. “The differences are very sharp.”
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