2nd CD: Miller-Meeks tops Teahen in Cash on Hand
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As a fan of politics nothing excites me more than a good primary fight. I was hoping that some the U.S. Senate Primary between Reed, Rathje, and Eichhorn would provide some much needed discussion in Iowa Politics. Well unless something comes unglued tomorrow at the District Conventions it’s going to be pretty tame. I’ll vote for the guy who wants in the most.
The same can’t be said in the 2nd District primary for Congress. It’s technically a 3 person race, but in all actuality it’s a two way battle between Funeral Director Peter Teahen and Ophthalmologist Dr. Mariannette Miller Meeks. The Third guy is Lee Harder whose slogan is “Working Harder for you” but it might be more appropriate if it was “Look Harder” because I can’t find anyone who has met the guy.
To my surprise it is the eye doctor from Ottumwa who has the fundraising edge over the businessman for Cedar Rapids. The common knock on Miller-Meeks is that she’s not from Iowa City or Cedar Rapids, but its Miller-Meeks who has built support in most areas of the district while Teahen can only find financial support in Linn County and has had to loan his campaign money to keep it afloat.
By the Numbers
Peter Teahen
Total Contributions: $34,109.00
Loans from Candidate: $31,663.76
Spent this quarter: $31,682.74
Cash on Hand: $34,090.02
Dr. Miller-Meeks
Total Contributions: $68,834.97
Loans from Candidate: $0
Spent this quarter: $216.14
Cash on Hand: $68,618.83
Teahen has been paying consultants since January, and Miller-Meeks has been banking her money to use at the end of the campaign. It’s such a simple concept but so few campaigns understand the necessity of not spending those dollars till the end. Unless Teahen has a lot of personal wealth I think his campaign is in trouble on the finance side.
This primary is going to get interesting, but I really believe that Republicans would be wise to nominate a female doctor to run against Congressman Loebsack in the 2nd CD.
Nathan Greene
Miller-Meeks Opens fire on Teahen.
Looks like tomorrow could be interesting in Iowa City!
TEAHEN’S CAMPAIGN FINANCES, SUPPORT “LESS THAN MEETS THE EYE”
CEDAR RAPIDS – The latest Federal Elections Commission reports outlining Democrat-turned-Republican congressional candidate Peter Teahen’s finances indicates the Cedar Rapids funeral home operator has less support than meets the eye, a spokesman for Mariannette Miller-Meeks said today.
For the campaign to date, Miller-Meeks campaign reported receipts of $68,835 and cash on hand of $68,619 compared to receipts of $65,773 and cash on hand of $34,090 for Teahen. However, when the same reports show Teahen’s committee is carrying at debt load of $31,664, which is the exact amount of money he has loaned to his campaign.
“If it wasn’t for his own money, Peter Teahen’s campaign would have less than $2,500 on hand. By putting that much money into the campaign, he’s clearly trying to prop it up and make it appear that he has more support than he does. Republicans have long memories, but in this case, a long memory isn’t necessary for Second District Republicans remember that Peter Teahen’s money has gone to Democratic candidates over the years,” Miller-Meeks campaign manager Todd Versteegh said.
“He gave money to Jim Leach’s Democratic challenger, Julie Thomas, in 2002. He gave money to Michael Blouin, a Democrat candidate for governor just two years ago. And, he just changed his registration from Democrat to Republican in December before announcing his candidacy for Congress. It’s no wonder why he’s had to give so much money to his own campaign.”
Versteegh added, “Our campaign is proud to have support from donors around the District, and we’re proud of our strength going into the critical final months of the campaign. Dr. Miller-Meeks has proven she’s frugal with her campaign’s money, and that’s just what she’d do with our tax dollars in Washington, DC. She’s a fiscal conservative who doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk.”
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Paid for by Miller-Meeks for Congress
Ouch! Miller-Meeks gives Teahen a black eye!
Reader Comments (1)
I think thats what Teahen looked like after one or both of his divorces.
I hope 2nd CD r's nominate him!