Do Democrats have a real challenger for Doc? By LEAH BETH WARD YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLICBusinessman Richard Wright launched the Yakima leg of his campaign for the 4th Congressional District on Tuesday by calling the Medicare drug program a "rip-off" and assailing the integrity of his likely opponent, Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Pasco.
How's that for a fighting Democrat?
"This is going to be a campaign based on contrast," Wright said at a sparsely attended news conference at the Red Lion Hotel Yakima Center. "We have a congressman who is a national joke that the people of the Fourth District do not deserve."
Wright lands an uppercut!
Hastings hasn't been linked to the lobbying scandal of Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty to fraud and confessed to giving junkets and gifts to lawmakers in exchange for their votes. Hastings received $4,500 from DeLay's political action committee in 1994, the first year he was elected, and $1,400 of in-kind contributions in 1998.
Hastings is on the ropes!
The owner of a chain of physical therapy clinics, Wright was a star high school athlete, attended Brigham Young University and graduated from the University of Washington Physical Therapy School in 1979. He's been a longtime Boy Scout leader and he and his wife of 29 years, Marilyn, have six children.
How's that for family values, rethugs?
State Democrats are pleased they don't have to watch a Democratic primary this year in the district. Party Chairman Dwight Pelz said Wright has learned how to be a viable candidate."He's definitely a moderate Democrat with a message that appeals to Eastern Washington. He went to Brigham Young, he's a family man, a businessman and president of a company with 60 employees in three states," Pelz said, referring to Wright's business, Columbia Physical Therapy.
Washington state demo party is behind him!
Wright said he needs as much as $1 million to run competitively against Hastings, who raised $670,000 two years ago. His campaign committee has about $308,000 on hand, according to federal elections records.
This where you come into play, Kossacks. Wright is half-way to the minimum buckos needed for his campaign. I gave what I could afford. I'm also devoting my time to boot Doc out of office.
State Republican Party Chairwoman Diane Tebelius said Democrats can't tarnish -- or touch, for that matter -- Hastings in Eastern Washington."He's got a good district. No doubt he's got a good district. But someone has to come in and say why they would do a better job and that's an enormous leap to be made," she said. "What Doc has done is keep his feet on the ground. He's a decent man who listens to the average person and cares."
Help Ms.Tebelius eat her words
Go to actblue and contribute.
Hastings is going down!!