Fimian Gets Some National Press

Keith Fimian is in the news today, in a feature on FoxNews.com about Republican House candidates who can self-fund their own campaigns, helping to ease the money burden on the cash strapped NRCC:

“It would be foolish to rely on any NRCC money right now,” said Travis Smith, spokesman for Keith Fimian, the presumed Republican nominee for the Virginia House seat left open by retiring GOP Rep. Tom Davis. It is expected to be one of the most competitive races of the year, and Fimian so far has put $325,000 of his cash into it. The Democratic candidate for the district has not been chosen yet.

Republicans hope Fimian, as the founder and former chairman of a successful home inspection business, can do more than help fund his own bid. Supporters say he could prove to be a formidable candidate, making the transition from businessman to successful politician.

“People say he is buying the election, but it’s not true,” said Smith, who noted his boss wasn’t recruited, but rather started raising money months before Davis dropped out in anticipation that the congressman was going to run for Senate. Davis has since decided not to run for retiring Virginia GOP Sen. John Warner’s seat.

“I don’t know if [Fimian] would consider himself a ’self-funded’ candidate,” said Smith. “It’s not like he is going to pump a ton of his own money into the race. He loves the fund-raising, he loves to talk to people. For someone with no political experience at all, he’s phenomenal.”

Let me just say this, YES it is a huge help to have a candidate with money, and anyone saying otherwise is ridiculous.  Look at Mark Warner, who's deep pockets have funded his entire political career.  So I don't want to hear Democrats complain about Fimian's $$$ when their plumbed knight has done the same thing.  Secondly, little birds here in the 11th have chirped in my ear that Fimian's money was given right at the start of the campaign, and all the rest he has raised, over $800K, has been from donors and voters.  But the greater point of the article is important, and in a tough year it keeps this race competative.  But Fimian's business background is an important contrast between himself and Gerry Connolly, who I believe will be the Democrat nominee.  There has never been a donor or deep-pocketed developer that Gerry Connolly won't do a favor for after getting some cash.  In the table, behind close doors, or in plain sight Connolly takes money from interests he oversees.  Keith Fimian has all the money in the world, who's going to buy him the way ChairGer has been bought?  In a strange way, with self-made millionaire candidates there is a political honesty that many who need to beg cosntantly just don't always have. 

In this regard, the difference between Fimian and Connolly will be striking.

Comments

I see Gerry Connolly everywhere. Like Tom Davis, he is out meeting the people he wants to vote for him. It's funny, I know Gerry and Tom, I've met Byrne, but I've never met either Dennehy or Fimian. It's great that Fimian is putting up and raising money as it is the lifeblood of campaigns, but he also needs to get out and meet and greet the people he expects to volunteer for him and vote for him. We have a significant number of independents around here and their votes are crucial to winning. You've got to be seen all over so they know you. You've got to shake a lot of hands as well as shake a lot of wallets to win, even if you are a successful businessman. There is no substitute for people identifying you as their candidate on election day. I wouldn't even know Fimian if I saw him in a crowd, although I did hear him speak at the FCRC convention and thought he did a great job. Of course, he was at the end, when a lot of delegates had cast their votes and left. He has to be seen more. I do believe Gerry will be the Democratic nominee, as he is a savvy politician. Gerry is also everywhere. I run into Tom and Gerry at least a couple times a month. They are out at sporting and civic events. They are shaking hands. They are letting people know who they are. This is what you have to do to win. It is not going to be easy for another Republican to win Tom's seat. Fimian needs us going out to events for him and inviting him to our civic groups and sporting events and waving the flag. He seems like a really great guy, but people with the franchise have to know he is out there!