Himes hops aboard ‘Red to Blue’ for campaign support
(from The Hour, Thursday, March 13, 2008)
Becoming friendly with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida, just paid off for Jim Himes.
The Democratic candidate for Connecticut's Fourth congressional District seat was named part of the party's "Red to Blue" program, which provides campaign support to congressional races the party thinks will be close.
Himes is challenging U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4, the 11-term incumbent.
"I am honored that the groundswell of support our campaign has inspired in Connecticut is earning national attention," Himes said in a statement.
Last month, Wasserman-Schultz attended a Democratic pow-wow with Himes at a home in Westport.
She is a co-chairwoman of the Red to Blue program, and Himes was hopeful at the time that she would add him to the program's list.
On Wednesday, Himes was included in the second slate of candidates added to the program.
Candidates get support with finances, strategy and communications.
"These candidates have come out of the gate strong and the Red to Blue Program will give them the financial and structural edge to be even more competitive in November," said Chris Van Hollen, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
In 2006, Chris Murphy and Joe Courtney were part of the Red to Blue Program in Connecticut, and they were both elected.
Diane Farrell, who ran unsuccessfully against Shays two years ago, was also part of the program.
