Randy Graf For Congress
Written by Mark Harris on February 9th, 2006
Just did an interview with Randy Graf for Congress, he did a good job talking about his race and why our previous article about him, which he had read, was incorrect. He displayed an impressive grasp of the issues and I think that he could be the guy for movement conservatives in this race. More still needs to be known of course. I was slightly disappointed that he only has $30,000 cash on hand, but he claims endorsements from half the state legislature and Congressman Franks.
Audio is here to judge for yourself.
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Unfortunately, no matter how much we like Randy Graf, he has about a 30% chance of winning Congressional District 8 out in Tucson and Eastern Arizona. The former 23 year incumbent, Congressman Jim Kolbe, has even spoken out against him. He lost the primary to Kolbe handily, and the the whole district is more moderate if anything. That is why Kolbe won by the margins he did. Democrats outnumber Republicans in that district and I don’t see many going Graf’s way.
We can cheer his answers all we want, but I think we still have to be realistic. With 8 months to go before the election and to only have $30,000 is pathetic. It doesn’t seem like Graf has the early backing he needs to be successful.
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From The Hill:
Biggest obstacle may be Kolbe, Graf says
By Jackie Kucinich
During his visit in Washington this week, Arizona congressional candidate Randy Graf said his biggest challenge could be dodging attacks from Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.), who is retiring this year at the end of his 11th term.
“I didn’t endear myself to him,” Graf said in an interview with The Hill yesterday. “Congressman Kolbe is going to try and play a roll in this — taking his shots when ever he can.”
Graf unsuccessfully challenged Kolbe in the 2004 primary.
Graf is undeterred, and after meeting with representatives from the National Republican Congressional Committee he is further emboldened to make the push toward Washington.
“I’m not going to be a bashful Republican,” he said, expressing that the “party of Reagan” is in desperate need of reform — especially on budgetary issues.
Graf faces several challenges going into the 2006 primary against a wide field of candidates. Since his vocal opposition to loosening immigration restrictions, he is seen by some Republicans as a one-issue candidate — a label he said he is working hard to shed — trying to focus on issues such as health care, tort reform and education instead.
In the Sept. 12, Graf has been endorsed by 25 state legislators and Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.).
Kolbe, who has said Republicans in Washington can do better than Randy Graf, declined to comment.
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Kolbe’s hatred for Graf may be a hindrance in some ways, but in other ways it is a resounding endorsement.
The race for Arizona’s eighth Congressional district will be won or lost in Tucson, just as it was last time around. Everywhere else, especially in Cochise County, the campaign is Graf’s to lose. The people in that county do not like Kolbe, and overwhelmingly voted Graf in the primaries in 2004. If Kobe says no to Graf, Cochise County will vote for Graf. So will Greenlea and Santa Cruz Counties. It all boils down to Tucson, just as it did last time.
There are also enough other candidates to water down the primaries in Tucson. This, I believe, also goes in Graf’s favor. If indeed, Graf only gets 30% of the vote in Tucson and the immediate area, Graf will get the nomination by virtue of the rest of the district, which, according to my own studies, will run between 50and 70% in Graf’s favor.
I live here. I study the issues, the candidates and the voters. I do so honestly to get genuine, accurate results.