Democratic groups raising money for Tarryl Clark
Democracy for America, the political organization founded by Howard Dean, says money it raised recently for democratic State Senator Tarryl Clark against republican incumbent Rep. Michele Bachmann set a record: it was the most the group had pulled in for a democratic U.S. House challenger in a 24-hour period.
It was not, as the Huffington Post reports, the most money Democracy for America had ever amassed for a democratic candidate in a 24-hour period.
The group's campaign to "Beat Republicans in so-called 'safe seats'" is also raising money for another democratic House challenger, Beth Krom in California.
Levana Layendecker, Communications Director at Democracy for America, says the group pulled in about $22,000 for Clark after sending out an email seeking donations from democratic supporters.
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Lavendecker says on a national level, there was a "big reaction to Michele Bachmann, because she has such a national profile, and people really want to defeat her."
The group EMILY's List, which aims to elect pro-Choice Democratic women to every level of office, is also trying to raise money for Clark. Bachmann is one of several candidates who are endorsed by former Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin and whom EMILY's List wants to defeat. The Wall Street Journal puts the move in context:
The battle over women voters has intensified this year as Palin trumpets and endorses conservative Republican women she has dubbed "mama grizzlies." Palin also advocated for women candidates in a recent "Mama Grizzlies" video released through her political action committee, SarahPAC.
Of course, the Palin stamp of approval is likely helping Bachmann with some supporters. At the time of the last official report in July, Bachmann was pulling in more from out-of-state donors than Clark.