Is anyone running against Tom Latham (4th dist.)?

[The Revolution]

I haven't heard anything about the 4th district in 2006. The DU campaign underground page doesn't have anybody listed. Surely the seat is not going uncontested! When is the filing deadline? Does anyone have any information about this race?

Thanks! :)

[pstans]

1. Nope

I think they just plan on it going uncontested. They tried hard last summer/fall to recruit a candidate and didn't get anyone. I think it is bad, but then I look at competitive races in District 1, 2, and 3 that Democrats can and need to win. Maybe use all of our resources to win those races. I plan on helping the Loebsack campaign this summer and I live in Marshalltown and send money to all of the candidates.

[ISUGRADIA]

2. In Iowa if no one runs the party can still nominate someone at the

state convention in June. Not going to be a great candidate if it happens at that late a stage, but at least he will have an opponent.

[DU9598]

3. Gotta have someone

This is so distressing. We cannot leave these seats without competition. It could be a year where we sweep - every race should be contested. Where is John Norris, why won't he run. Perhaps Neil Hamilton from the Drake Ag Law center would be a credible candidate for the Democrats? Who else can we draft?

[ISUGRADIA]

4. This is so true and so sad

I wish I knew the answer to whom to recruit. The good thing is that there is still time up to June or even July I believe (not sure of the exact deadline) to nominate someone. Many states if there is not candidate filed for the primary that party is out of luck.

[Debi]

6. They actually have until August

to hold a nominating convention w/in the district. Usually they can find a candidate by district convention. At least I hope they do, what ever happened to Tom Bedell running?

[ISUGRADIA]

7. I checked his Board of Regents profile

He lives in Spirit Lake which is in the 5th. Legally he could run in the 4th, but it would be even harder to win than it is now being a non resident. I believe he's probbably waiting to run in 2008 when King runs against Harkin.

[Debi]

8. Thanks n/t

[The Revolution]

5. Crap.

:(

There has to be someone!

[Critters2]

9. The pastor at 1st Cong UCC in Clarion

is a politically active Dem. He worked on the Gephart campaign. I don't know if he'd consider it, but he might know someone who would. I may e-mail him.

It's a pretty red district, but there should be someone in Ames or Ft. Dodge.

[ISUGRADIA]

10. I spoke with a former Democratic chair today and was told

there is a candidate in the works. Can't say who right now other than the person is in the medical field and does sounds promising. The candidate would be a credible one.

[The Revolution]

11. Cool.

That's good news.

[pstans]

12. That is great to hear

[pstans]

13. We have a contender against Latham

This is from DrewMiller blog...
http://blog.drewmiller.net/archives/2006/03/4th_district_ca.html#comments

I've heard Selden Spencer's name from more than one person as someone thinking about running against Latham. He's a neurologist at McFarland Clinic in Ames, and lives in Huxley. He may be coming to Drinking Liberally on Friday, so if you're around Ames you should come. At this stage in the game expectations are pretty low, so there isn't any reason not to run.

And I just got back from the Marshall County Central Committee and the county chair passed out a flyer for Spencer and nomination papers. It seems he is very serious about running, just wants to make sure he gets some money. I just did a quick Google search and found that he competed in the Iowa Games in Canoe/Kayaking.