(Chuck Muth) – Last minute filing maneuvers likely helped Republicans in three different races yesterday while administering a Brett Michaels-like screw job to one candidate.
If EVER there was going to be a chance to take out Rep. Shelley Berkley in Nevada’s CD 1 race, THIS is the year. And the conventional wisdom is that a woman backed by big bucks would have a better chance to win against the incumbent Democrat than a man.
As such, gaming chief Steve Wynn, reportedly furious with Berkley over her support for ObamaCare, has been actively looking for such a woman for weeks now. Word on the street was that Wynn, and possibly others with deep pockets, are willing to expend six-, maybe even seven-figures, in independent expenditures in this race if the right woman surfaced.
Earlier this week, Wynn met with and was impressed by conservative businesswoman Michelle Fiore – who at the time was running in the state Senate District 9 race against RINO (Republican In Name Only) state Sen. Dennis Nolan.
And Fiore had a clear shot at Nolan after Republican Assemblyman Chad Christensen arguably committed political suicide by dropping out of the SD 9 race last week and instead opted for the glory of being the sole GOP/LDS candidate in the U.S. Senate race. Of course, that was until Garn “Maybe” Mabey threw his hat and monkey wrench into Chad’s plans.
But back to Fiore.
Not sure whose idea it was, but about a week ago Michelle popped up on the CD 1 radar screen. She met with Wynn this week who, I’m told, was favorably impressed and gave his blessing. She also met with Nevada GOP leaders who, likewise, were favorably impressed – especially with the fact that Wynn was favorably impressed.
So impressed, by the way, that all three members of the Nevada Republican delegation to the Republican National Committee – Chairman Chris (Dis)Comfort, National Committeeman Bob List and National Committeewoman Heidi Smith – signed a “Rule 11” letter for Fiore.
A Rule 11 letter is rare but extremely valuable. It is, in reality, a pre-primary endorsement of a candidate. It provides the candidate with party resources not available to other Republicans in the race, including access to all-important donor databases, as well as gives a green light to national PACs to contribute to the anointed one.
Joe Heck, Republican candidate against Democrat incumbent Dina Titus in the Third Congressional District is also the beneficiary of a Rule 11 letter.
So, armed with the party’s Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, access to donors she wouldn’t have otherwise, and the suggestions (promises?) of significant independent expenditures being expended on her (non-coordinated) behalf against her opponent, Fiore decided Thursday night to make the switch.
You can learn more about Michelle Fiore HERE on her campaign website.
Oh, and something not widely known or advertised yet, Fiore produced an independent film titled “Siren” in which she played the lead role a couple years back. Click HERE to get the details of the movie about an ordinary, middle-aged wife and mother who pursues her dream of becoming a a rock star.
Click HERE to see the trailer for “Siren” on YouTube.
And normally, that would be that.
Two of the Republicans who had already filed in the CD 1 race are not considered as seriously viable candidates, now or in the future. But the third GOP candidate, Craig Lake, was another story altogether.
A young, promising businessman, Lake has been actively campaigning for the CD 1 seat for months. Although this is his first run at elective office, he’s been impressive on the campaign trail and has won over a lot of fans with his tenacity and commitment to conservative principles, including yours truly. Lake represents the party’s future and is not someone the party should risk losing by treating him like yesterday’s diapers.
Unfortunately, that’s just what they did.
GOP Chairman Chris (Dis)Comfort broke the news to Lake at eight o’clock yesterday morning, telling Lake he had an offer for him he couldn’t refuse (yes, he actually used that phrase according to Lake). And as yet another example of how hapless and ineffective (Dis)Comfort is as a party “leader”….Lake refused.
The offer (Dis)Comfort made to persuade Lake to abandon the CD 1 race was to instead jump into the Secretary of State race….where Republican Rob Lauer – who had already taken one for the team by switching from the congressional race in CD 3 to SoS to clear the field for Joe Heck – was already filed.
So (Dis)Comfort tried to fix the Craig Lake screw-job….by screwing Lauer.
Is this guy a political genius or what?
Lake deserved MUCH better than being subjected to a political root canal visit by Dr. (Dis)Comfort. In any event, Lake is staying in the CD 1 race. You can get more information on him HERE
In the meantime, with Fiore’s decision to switch to the congressional race, that left no one to challenge Nolan in the SD 9 GOP primary.
Fortunately, Elizabeth Halseth – who had already filed to run for the Assembly District 13 seat being vacated by Assemblyman Chad Christensen – withdrew from the AD 13 race and filed for the SD 9 race. Halseth’s decision means there’s still hope to get rid of the biggest nanny-state Republican in the state Senate. You can learn more about her HERE
Halseth’s decision also makes life easier for conservatives in the AD 13 race.
You see, there was another solid candidate in that race, Joshua Gust, who was making it tough for folks who got behind Halseth early. Gust is highly regarded by folks who know him. With Halseth out of AD 13, conservatives can unite behind Gust – whose job now is to dispatch GOP primary opponent/idiot-weasel Nathan “Li’l Nate” Taylor. You can learn more about Josh HERE
So overall, despite the last-minute, ham-handed way this whole thing was handled, the GOP has a strong, likely well-financed candidate who could end up at least giving Berkley some Maalox moments in the general election, a young conservative with a decent chance to knock off RINO Nolan, and a solid conservative who could hold onto the AD 13 seat.
If only the party had treated Craig Lake better, there wouldn’t be such a sour taste in my mouth about all of this.
Then again, with Chairman (Dis)Comfort involved, how could it have ended up any other way?
Thanks for the information, Chuck. I’ve appreciated your work since meeting you at the Conservative Leadership Conference. This article helps me understand Mrs. halseth’s announcement today.
We are “in it to win it”
The dust has settled and the field is set in the Republican Primary and the momentum continues to build for our campaign.
We have seen tremendous success with our fundraising and grass roots efforts thus far. Together our message of common sense conservative values has continued to resonate and led to victory in the first and only Straw Poll taken for our race. I want to thank all those who have taken part in building the success we have seen so far, but the battle has just begun and we have 87 days until victory in the Republican Primary.
For weeks it has been clear that the Republican Party establishment has been looking for their candidate in this race that they can control, and in the 11th hour on the last day of filing, they got their candidate with strings attached. No amount of pressure from the Establishment can keep our message down: We are “in it to win it” because hard working Nevada families deserve nothing less.
The purpose of our campaign continues to be to put an end to the “politics as usual” that we consistently see in Washington D.C. Witnessing this political opportunism first hand has been an eye opener, but it reinforces why we are fighting for this district. We will not back down against the Establishment, we will not blink, and we will fight even harder to do what is right for the hard working families in District 1 that I have lived with and worked next to my entire life.
Craig Lake
Your Candidate for District 1
Please say it isn’t so!! Nathan “Lil Nate” Taylor is a crook! The Young Republicans from just a few years back. It would be a tradgedy to see this clown in office, unless it was “Office Depot” selling pens and paper. He is an idiot alright.
I had high hopes for Halseth and our district 13. I wish her well in her new race.
I would like to believe that all a candidate needs is organization and self-confidence to win a race. However, I don’t believe that is realistic. Although Fiore is new to politics, Lake is also. Although Lake is a businessman, he is young, and Fiore outdates him in her years of experience. I’ve met them both. Lake is very nice, but he is soft spoken and not yet a force to take on the DC establishment. Fiore is a tough cookie, who’s as pro-2A as I am, and who has fresh ideas for working with voters to restore constitutional freedom. And BTW, I am a supporter of Palin also. This is one female veteran who looks for candidates I’d want in a foxhole with me. I’d trust Palin and Fiore to have my back.
I’ve seen Lake speak, and he is powerful and passionate. Not what I would call soft-spoken at all.
If Fiore wanted to get in the race, that’s fine. But I do not believe in any way, shape or form that the race warrants the Rule 11 letter.
Leaders lead. All the NV Republican “leaders” did here was follow Wynn’s checkbook. I understand money is important, but our leaders should have been convincing Wynn that we had a competitive candidate instead of letting Wynn dictate who the candidate should be.
Your article about Chris Comfort’s “hissy fit” yesterday shows that the State GOP Chairman is inept and incompetent. But after reading Elizabeth Crum’s article today, the good Dr. Comfort has also proven himself to be a saboteur of candidates in his own party! Comfort has accomplished nothing .. at least nothing positive .. since assuming the job of State GOP Chairman. And now we find him catering to Steve Wynn’s whims. Apparently, Dr. disComfort follows the money when it comes to doing “something.” Since when is Wynn, Harry Reid’s friend, in control of the Nevada Republican Party? Maybe Comfort has deluded himself into believing that he and Wynn are now “buds.” I could care less about Wynn’s motives, but I do care about Chris Comfort’s motives with regard to issung a Rule 11 letter to Michele Fiori. This was a blatant attempt by Comfort to pull the rug out from under Craig Lake and other Republican candidates, members of his OWN party. What kind of State Party Chairman does that?
Comfort was elected as Chairman by people who took him at his word, i.e. he was a conservative, was going to bring Constitutionally-principled conservatives, including grassroots conservatives, to the forefront of the party and help heal the wounds left in the State Republican Party by his predecessor, Sue Lowden, whom all but destroyed the Republican Party in this state. Comfort should have given all of the conservative Republican candidates in the upcoming mid-terms as much encouragement, support and promotion as possible, short of endorsing or favoring any one candidate in any one race. He should have worked with each County Chairman and party members emphasizing the importance of rallying behind constitutional and conservative candidates in an effort to rehabilitate the Republican Party and return the GOP to its true platform of small government, state sovereignty and individual liberty and freedom. But did he do this? NO, he did not. He hasn’t done any of those things, choosing instead to hand out a Rule 11 letter endorsing one candidate to the exclusion of her competitors, most likely violating the State Party’s by-laws and maybe even Nevada state laws. If I were one of those candidates adversely affected by Chris Comfort’s unprecedented and unethical move, I would seek whatever recourse is available to force Comfort’s resignation or removal from office. Not only has Comfort not helped to heal the wounds already inflicted on the State GOP, he has just created new ones. This is a critically important time in our State and our country, and Dr. Comfort just doesn’t seem to get that. Either that, or he just doesn’t care. In either case, he has shown no leadership and is no longer someone Nevada’s Republicans can trust or respect.
Is there anyone else running in AD 13 besides Gust and Taylor?
If Gust has taken a stance on any issue he has failed to put it on his website or his Facebook page. The issues section of his website reads “Coming Soon!” The GOP needs to get behind someone who has a handle on the issues.
(Comment removed by publisher. If you want to make wild, unsubstantiated accusations in comments on this blog, you must, at the very least, disclose your true identity and not hide behind an alias. – Chuck Muth)