I wrote this diary, "John Waltz Continues to Show Strength" yesterday when I realized that the Waltz campaign had put up a very strong showing in fundraising for the last quarter. However, now it appears as if I put it up before I realized just how strong this showing really was. You see, as a political newcomer and a Progressive in a red area John Waltz did the unthinkable. He actually OUT-RAISED the sitting Republican Geoff Davis. Even more remarkable is that Waltz smoked Davis in donations from individuals.
John Waltz and his whole campaign showed serious strength and momentum in these fundraising numbers. They topped Davis in total money raised, from an email:
Walton, KY (July 16, 2010) - John Waltz outraised incumbent, Geoff Davis, in the most recent financial reporting period, based on reports filed with the Federal Election Commission last night. Waltz and Davis each raised over 100,000 in a little over two months, but Waltz was able to best Davis in total contributions. Waltz raised $117,150 to Davis's $115,985.
But what is really incredible is when you look at the total number of donors. In that area Waltz simply smoked Davis, and if you took out the Corporate contributions to Geoff Davis, Waltz completely outclassed him in every way possible:
Waltz's haul was especially impressive given that he raised nearly all his cash from individuals while Davis relied almost exclusively on PAC money. With more than 450 individual donors, Waltz raised 98% of his money from people. Waltz's average donation was $224. Davis on the other hand raised 97% from corporate interests such as Halliburton and Exxon Mobil. Only $3,185 of Davis's $115,985 came from 8 individuals.
Waltz's reaction to this news was a road map for Progressives to use all over the country. Work hard, show up everywhere, and simply give the message to the voters. They believe it when they hear it. And of course, he added some perspective on Congressman Davis and his numbers as well:
Waltz explained his success as the result of a good work-ethic and a never-say-die attitude. "When I got into this race I was told I could not win. I was told I would never raise enough money. I was told I had to be a Blue-Dog, Republican-lite candidate. Over and over again, people told me I couldn't do it. I never gave up and I never took anything for granted."
As for Davis's inability to outpace Waltz for the reporting period, Waltz suggested Davis is taking his job for granted. "If I were Geoff Davis, I would be worried about my job. The people of this district are sick and tired of being ignored by Washington and if he thinks he isn't part of the problem, then he has another think coming," Waltz said.
I do not know what more John Waltz can do to win the support of our national party. He has shown he is tough as nails and does not mind fighting and taking our Progressive message to his district. I think he has successfully shown all the "centrists" and "bluedogs" that they are completely wrong about not fighting for every district and not running on Progressive ideals.
John Waltz is for real and he needs our help now more than ever. Davis and the Republican machine will turn their teabag guns on him and he needs the resources to fight them. He can show the nation once and for all that a Progressive message can win anywhere if their is just someone with enough guts and gumption to spread it, and with a little help from us all.
Go here and help Waltz smoke Davis again this quarter too:
Here is the only video we have been able to capture of him at HillbillyReport, when he first started his run and was supporting the Public Option in front of Geoff Davis's office:
