The next four days

Our campaign for Congress is only beginning, but the next four days are critical.

Even though we just started this month, we face our first fundraising deadline at midnight this Thursday, December 31st. Our fundraising report will be the first opportunity to show the pundits and political leaders that we have the strength and grassroots support to win.

Will you make our campaign stronger and contribute today?

Since we began this campaign for Congress, many friends have offered support and encouragement. The media has quickly pointed to our work ethic and record of "winning elections in fairly conservative, rural territory" as evidence that we'll be tough to beat.

Only days after we announced, a political analyst for The Washington Post listed this race as one of the top 10 House races to watch. He said, "...this western Tennessee seat will be a major target for House Republicans in 2010...and Democrats believe they have a top-tier candidate in state Sen. Roy Herron."

Other well-respected analysts say this race will be anything but easy. Last week, the Cook Report listed our congressional race as one of 19 "toss-ups." This race is also called a "toss-up" by both Congressional Quarterly and the Rothenberg Report/

Our Republican foe has been running for months and is expected to show well over $500,000 and maybe even a million dollars on hand! In contrast, when we started late on the night of December 1st, of course we did not even have a Congressional campaign account.

We've had a great start, though there's much more hard work ahead. No one will out-work us, and if we can raise enough money - and work together - I know we can win.

Will you join our campaign and contribute before our December 31st deadline?

My priorities, if elected to Congress, are the same ones that have driven me throughout my time in public life: creating more and better jobs, improving educational opportunities for our children, maintaining a responsible fiscal policy, building safe communities, supporting our brave military families, and defending our shared values.

I can be a strong voice in Washington. But I need your help to get there.

Will you join us?

Thank you for your kind consideration and support!

Your friend,