Yes, Colleen Callahan got a late start in this race, but there aren't many polls in the area to help us get a good sense of where this race is at.
I think it could be a VERY surprising pick up, folks. I've been volunteering for Callahan for months, and not unlike Obama's slow pace towards eventually grabbing the nomination, Callahan's trajectory is similar, imho. A lot of people like her, I've been talking to a lot of them! I'm working the local Women's Lifestyle Show for her booth on Saturday (and this is a huge local event for the ladies).
Dick Durbin has been putting in time for Colleen (pronounced co (as in company) lean), but he came out with an email to his list today referring to the recently broken scandal about Republican opponent, and notary public, Aaron Schock and how he backdated documents an entire year for his dad to help him establish tax shelters. This is part of court record, as Schock's dad was testifying in regards to a tax shelter scam he was a victim of. Eman wrote a diaryon this already if you want to check out the background on the scandal.
SO Durbin's email and some more great news after the jump!
Here's the email that went out to Durbin's list (link to video and contribution is ActBlue page):
I am writing you this urgent appeal because I have nowhere else to turn.
There has been a game-changing development in an important Congressional race in downstate Illinois. It's an open seat in Peoria, which is traditionally Republican.
The GOP nominee is a 27-year-old named Aaron Schock who has all the money he can spend. He shoots from the hip about sending nuclear weapons to Taiwan and his undying loyalty to George Bush's failed agenda.
Our Democratic nominee, Colleen Callahan, is a bright, engaging community leader who has spent 30 years in broadcast journalism covering a variety of issues and specializing in agriculture policy. As a newcomer she has raised over $450,000, but Schock has swamped her with the help of national Republican sources. Please make a contribution to Colleen Callahan's campaign today, and help her compete against her well-financed Republican opponent!
Last week there was a blockbuster story across Illinois that Schock had notarized fraudulent documents with false dates so that his father could be eligible for offshore tax shelters. The source of the story was Schock's own father in sworn testimony before a federal court. The damning testimony was buried in a court transcript but an Associated Press reporter dug it out, making statewide news.
Schock denied wrongdoing and said he saw nothing wrong with notarizing documents he knew were clearly fraudulent. A national notary expert quoted in the story said Schock clearly broke the law because "to backdate a document ... is illegal. You have to notarize for the current date."
Colleen Callahan's campaign has just produced a powerful new television ad to expose "Backdate-gate." But right now, Colleen has enough money to run this ad for only four days. She needs at least $10,000 from our community to deliver this important message to the voters through Election Day. Please click here to watch Colleen Callahan's new ad, and make a contribution so she can keep it on the air through Election Day!
Schock's clear misconduct raises serious questions about his judgment. When the voters know the facts, Colleen Callahan can win. Colleen is not only a good person, she brings the kind of mature judgment to this race that we need in Congress.
We need your help today.
If you can send Colleen's campaign $10, $100, or whatever you can afford, it can make the difference. The election is only a few days away and your help can decide this critical contest.
Okay, so it gets better. Here's today's press release from the campaign - an pretty darn good indicator that indeed, some folks are sick of the lies.
[Peoria, IL] – Colleen Callahan, Democratic candidate for the 18th Congressional seat, announced that she has received support from more than 421 new donors and has raised over $75,000 in campaign contributions since news reports broke one week ago that Aaron Schock backdated documents in order to help his father avoid paying taxes.
"Voters in Illinois are fed up with politics as usual and are hungry for a change in Washington," said Callahan. "Throughout this campaign I have been open and honest with voters by taking a stand on tough issues and releasing my tax records. My message is catching on. More than 421 people have joined our effort over the last week showing that what Illinois needs is a responsible leader to put their trust in, not more of the same. I am so grateful for this outpouring of support."
That's big money around here folks!
Come on! IL 18 has been Republican since 1917 - throw Colleen some love! Some mojo! Call anyone you know in Central Illinois and talk to them about Colleen. She's a smart woman, a wise woman, and will be a great representative in DC.