Possible new challenger to Chris Shays in CT-4: Jim Himes

[DinahMoeHum]

(cross-posted from Daily Kos and My Left Nutmeg)

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/3/20/191512/664

(snip)
A few weeks after having dinner with local party chairs and less than a week after being introduced to the Democratic Congressional caucus in DC, former New York Rangers goalie Mike Richter has made calls to key players in the the district today to say he has decided not to challenge Chris Shays.

(But). . .the good news is that a great local candidate has emerged: Jim Himes, Director of Enterprise New York, a non-profit provider of affordable housing. A fluent Spanish speaker who lived in Peru and Columbia for 10 years, Himes is a Rhodes Scholar who studied Latin American policy at Oxford University. Himes is the Chair of the Democratic Town Committee in Greenwich and knows what it is going to take to beat Chris Shays here in CT-04.
(snip)
Himes definitely has the resume for service in Congress, with expertise in foreign policy, economics, banking, and domestic issues such as affordable housing. Shays fought off two very tough challenges from Diane Farrell, however - could Jim Himes be stronger than Farrell and finally take Democrats over the finish line?
(snip)
Himes can raise the money that it takes to compete, and with a great campaign organization in place, Himes should be able to maintain the gains that Farrell fought for in the more affluent areas of Wilton, Ridgefield, Darien, Westport, and the like. They key to winning in the 4th is holding down Shays' performance in these areas while cranking Democratic turnout in Stamford, Norwalk, and Bridgeport. And that's where Jim's fluency in Spanish and commitment to aggressive grassroots organizing would pay off.
(snip)

much more at the link above. . .


:kick:

[monarch]

1. Sounds good to me.

Would be nice if everyone can come together over one candidate right away so that we can raise money and focus on beating Shays. I hate it when we spend all our money and good will beating up on each to get the chance to tackle an incumbent.

[connecticut yankee]

2. Farrell never had any opposition

She spent four years running against Shays.

[monarch]

3. You're right about Farrell but

she was able to have the field to herself partly because Shays had a certain air of invincibility. Now that he is looking eminently beatable, the field is certain to be crowded. Look at the number of names that have been floated so far.

I am in the Second Congressional District and Simmons would never have even been a member of Congress if the party could have gotten its act together before this past election.