(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?
