From the House Race Hotline for Wednesday, May 14,2008

WYOMING AL (R/CHEYENNE -- CUBIN)

A Lummis Among Us

Wed. May 14, 2008


So far, rancher Mark Gordon (R), ex-state Treas. Cynthia Lummis (R) and ex-Navy officer Bill Winney have devoted much of their campaigning to the party faithful. They've logged thousands of miles in their vehicles around the state to speak at local GOP events. Univ. of WY prof. Jim King: "At this point, what you want to do is get as many of the local Republicans behind you so that spreads the word." But King "said Gordon has 'upped the ante' by running TV ads so early." King: He's trying to get out early and position himself as the candidate to protect the Wyoming way of life." More: "I think also, because he's not been involved in public life, he does need to be out there earlier to get his name out and draw attention to himself."

Lummis has noticed. She said Gordon's ads mean she can't take for granted her name ID from 8 years as state Treas. Lummis: "I am not on television every day, so name recognition can change quickly. Names can be forgotten quickly and new names can become household names quickly, with enough media." Lummis said she doesn't expect to raise as much money as Gordon, who through the end of 3/08 had lent himself nearly $300K and raised $412K total. Lummis said she plans to succeed through door-to-door campaigning (Gruver, AP, 5/14).