August 30, 2006

Hosue Race Hotline Update: Hefley In A Huff

Rep. Joel Hefley (R-CO 05) just announced he wouldn't run a write-in campaign against state Sen. Doug Lamborn (R), but he's still not going to lift a finger to help his party hold the seat.

-- Hefley's handpicked candidate, Jeff Crank, lost a close and nasty primary to Lamborn. The CO arm of the Christian Coalition sent direct mail accusing him of supporting "the radical homosexual lobby." Many prominent conservatives condemned the attacks and Lamborn's campaign. But Lamborn won because he had a solid enough lead among early voters who cast ballots before the pieces hit.

-- A reliable conservative, Hefley has nonetheless diverged from the party leadership in the past. As Ethics Cmte chair, he admonished ex-Maj Ldr Tom DeLay, and then lost his leadership post. Despite occasionally straying from the party-line, he's a well-respected figure within the CD.

-- The Dem nominee, Gulf War vet Jay Fawcett, is still a long-shot despite getting financial support from the netroots. But Hefley's public opposition to Lamborn is an unwelcome interparty nuisance for the GOP when they're trying to defend more pressing seats. JOSH KRAUSHAAR]

Posted at 03:08 PM

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