Jim Himes Named to DCCC “Red to Blue” Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Jim Himes Named to DCCC "Red to Blue" Program
Democratic Congressional
Campaign Committee recognizes top-tier strength of Himes campaign
Stamford, CT - Jim Himes, Democratic candidate for Congress in the Fourth Congressional District, was named today to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s prestigious "Red to Blue" program, further confirming Himes’ position as one of the top Democratic House challengers in the country.
"I am honored that the groundswell of support our campaign has inspired in Connecticut is earning national attention," said Himes, a businessman and non-profit executive.
"When I talk to voters throughout our district, I hear people who are hungry for real and meaningful change on the issues that matter most to our families. With the spirit of innovation that made our country great, we can work together to rebuild the economy and create jobs, fix our broken health care system, and recover from the disastrous foreign policy choices of Chris Shays and George Bush that continue to cost us dearly at home and abroad."
"I’m thrilled that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has recognized what we here in Connecticut have known for a while now - that Jim Himes’ campaign to bring real change to Washington is resonating loudly with voters in the Fourth Congressional District," said Nancy DiNardo, chairwoman of the Connecticut Democratic Party.
"This is a well-deserved honor for Jim Himes, who will be a strong and energetic voice for Connecticut families in Congress," said Ellen Camhi, elected Democratic National Committee member and chair of the Stamford Democratic City Committee.
"Being named to the Red-to-Blue program is one more validation of the people-powered effort behind this campaign that will drive us to victory this year," said Maura Keaney, campaign manager for Jim Himes for Congress. "After two long decades in office for Chris Shays, it’s increasingly clear that voters are finally ready for a fresh voice in Congress, someone who has the real-world experience to take on the new challenges we face here in the district as well as problems that have been unsolved for far too long."
As of the end of 2007, Jim Himes had the most cash-on-hand of any House candidate across the country challenging an incumbent, and had raised more than any challenger to incumbent Congressman Chris Shays (R-CT) ever in the year before an election.
About Red-to-Blue
The Red to Blue program is designed to provide financial and structural aid to the strongest Democratic candidates across the country. The program will introduce Democratic donors to new, competitive candidates in order to help expand the fundraising base for their campaigns.
Red to Blue was a proven success in 2004 and 2006. In 2004, the Red to Blue program raised nearly $7.5 million for twenty seven campaigns across the country with an average of more than $250,000 per campaign. In 2006, Red to Blue was a pivotal part of the effort that made Democrats the Majority in Congress. In 2006, the program raised nearly $22.6 million for 56 campaigns across the country with an average of more than $404,000 per campaign. Red to Blue helped solidify the structure of dozens of campaigns and made a real difference for Democrats across America.
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