Emerson Citing Threat From Sowers In Plea for DC Cash

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson is telling DC donors about the threat from Democratic challenger Tommy Sowers in invitations for an upcoming event at a downtown DC steakhouse. 

Tommy Sowers – my Democratic opponent – spent 11 years in the U.S. Army, including an assignment as a Special Forces officer in Iraq. He returned to the states and taught at the U.S. Military Academy before recently retiring from the Army. I honor his service to our country.

He appears to be an aggressive campaigner and fundraiser. I am ready for the challenge. Let the superior candidate with the better agenda win.

On Wednesday, February 24th, we are hosting our 2010 Kickoff dinner. It will be held at Charlie Palmer Streak, 101 Constitution Avenue NW in Washington DC, with cocktails at 6:30 PM and dinner following at 7:00 PM.

My special guest will be Congressman Kevin McCarthy, the Chief Deputy Republican Whip.

The requested contribution is $1,000 per person made payable to Team Emerson.

Emerson's honest acknowledgement of the challenge is notable, if only because it's the first time in recent memory that she's had to acknowledge a real challenge.

It's also a wee bit hypocritical for Emerson and her allies to continue complaining about Sowers' fundraising from outside the Eight District while continuing to raise money from Washington, DC lobbyists. 

The full text of the fundraising email:

"It’s too soon to tell if Tommy Sowers (D) is a serious threat to Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R) in 2010. But early fundraising indicates that the Army veteran could have enough funds to wage a credible effort in the southeastern 8th district.” Roll Call, October 15, 2009

Dear XXXX:

Fair is fair. Tommy Sowers raised over $205,000 in the 3rd quarter – his first report as a candidate. We had a good 3rd quarter, but his was better than mine.

Steve Gordon, my in-district political team, and I responded to his 3rd quarter success by turning up the tempo in our fundraising – both in Washington DC and in Missouri. We had an excellent 4th quarter, out-raising him $318,863 to $179,127. Our cash on hand is over $414,000 and their cash on hand is a little over $264,000.

Pundits and political consultants tell us that they see two conflicting trends in their current polling and projections.

• It’s going to be a Republican election. The wind is at the back of Republicans candidates.
   
• The electorate is unsettled, and right-track/wrong-track numbers are proof positive. No Congressional incumbent should rest easy.

I think both trends are real. I’m not going to take anything for granted – not this year.

Tommy Sowers – my Democratic opponent – spent 11 years in the U.S. Army, including an assignment as a Special Forces officer in Iraq. He returned to the states and taught at the U.S. Military Academy before recently retiring from the Army. I honor his service to our country.

He appears to be an aggressive campaigner and fundraiser. I am ready for the challenge. Let the superior candidate with the better agenda win.

On Wednesday, February 24th, we are hosting our 2010 Kickoff dinner. It will be held at Charlie Palmer Streak, 101 Constitution Avenue NW in Washington DC, with cocktails at 6:30 PM and dinner following at 7:00 PM.

My special guest will be Congressman Kevin McCarthy, the Chief Deputy Republican Whip.

The requested contribution is $1,000 per person made payable to Team Emerson.

I have an invitation to our February 24th dinner below. I would be grateful for your participation and your support of my reelection campaign. If you have any questions or to RSVP, please contact Steve Gordon or Katherine Ferriter at (202) XXX-XXXX– or via email at [xxxx}@stevegordon.com.

Campaigns are not sprints… they are marathons. I know what it takes to win in Missouri’s 8th district, and I will win. But I promise you that I’m not going to take any chances or take anything for granted – especially not this year.

I look forward to being with you on February 24th.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson

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You Are Cordially Invited To A Dinner
Honoring

Congresswoman
Jo Ann Emerson
(MO-8)

with special guest

Congressman
Kevin McCarthy
(CA-22)

Chief Deputy Republican Whip

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
6:30 PM Cocktails
7:00 PM Dinner

Charlie Palmer Steak
101 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC

Requested Contribution is $1,000 per person

Contributions should be made payable to Team Emerson and mailed to: 

Team Emerson
507 Capitol Court NE, #100
Washington, DC 20002

To RSVP, Please Contact Steve Gordon or Katherine Ferriter at (202) xxx-xxxx
or via email at [xxxx]@stevegordon.com