A Congressional Race to Watch (and Support)

In the 3rd Congressional District of Missouri, a race for the ages is taking place. Ed Martin (R), one of the originals involved with the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition and endorsed by that organization, is fighting to replace Russ Carnahan (D), representative of everything the tea party movement has been fighting against.

This was not supposed to be a competitive race. The district was designed as a safe seat for Democrats, carving out pieces of St. Louis and the union stronghold of Jefferson County. If it had not been a safe seat, Carnahan’s campaign would have been over a year ago when SEIU goons beat Kenneth Gladney at one of his health care town halls or a few months ago when the state passed the Missouri Health Care Freedom Act with 71% of the vote.

The 3rd District likes politicians that like to politic. Traditionally, the representatives of this district have been fairly public figures that engage the voters. This is not Russ Carnahan. He cannot speak without his constituents laughing at him. He knows nothing about guns in a gun-friendly district. He sends video of himself to speaker forums instead of showing up. He does what he is told to do by Nancy Pelosi, and he sends taxpayer dollars outside of his district to support his brother’s windmill farm.

Russ Carnahan has not run on his record. Instead, he makes false accusations about Ed Martin’s integrity regarding an alleged e-mail scandal (a local liberal paper explains how it was not), and may have violated federal election law for a smear on Catholics he paid for.

Ed Martin engages voters of all political persuasions. He does not run from the press or tough questions. His signs are all over the district. Ads supporting him are all over the place. His campaign, the GOP, and many local tea parties are making phone calls and walking blocks to support him. And now Karl Rove’s organization has thrown money into the race.

Ed Martin has a unique opportunity to beat a Congressman that walks lock-step with Nancy Pelosi, in a district that should be one of the safest for Democrats. The race is close, so every little bit helps. This is your opportunity to support a true tea party candidate to victory!