TO: Interested Parties
FR: DCCC Communications
DT: October 31, 2014
RE: Pre-election Day Outlook: California’s 24th Congressional District
Headed into Election Day, Rep. Lois Capps has a clear financial advantage, an unparalleled record of fighting for Central Coast middle class families, and a severely flawed Tea Party opponent who is out of step with this district on issue after issue. Rep. Capps is once again in a strong position to win re-election.
Fundraising Advantage
Rep. Lois Capps’ momentum is reflected in her fundraising success and strong financial advantage over Chris Mitchum. Capps raised $391,000 for her campaign during the Q3 fundraising period and has raised over $2.1 million in total. During that same period, Chris Mitchum raised only $196,328. That financial advantage has Rep. Capps on TV since September to communicate with voters about their stark choice between Rep. Capps’ commitment to Central Coast families to Chris Mitchum’s extreme Tea Party agenda. As she shares her strengths and proven record with voters, Mitchum has had limited resources to defend his out-of-touch views
Capps’ Record Garners Widespread Support
After spending her career working across party lines to strengthen local small businesses, bring new jobs to her community, and fight to protect Social Security and Medicare, Rep. Capps is endorsed by the Ventura County Star and the Santa Barbra Independent. Her commitment to standing up for women’s rights and healthcare, protecting the Central Coast’s coastline, and holding big oil companies accountable was recognized with endorsements from the National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood, and the Sierra Club. These endorsements reflect the broad coalition of support Rep. Capps’ has earned across the 24th district.
Mitchum Wrong for the Central Coast
Chris Mitchum is running for Congress to push a right-wing political agenda and will not look out for the Central Coast’s community. Mitchum would abolish the Department of Education, privatize Social Security, denies the existence of climate change, and believes that a budget that would give more tax breaks to millionaires and corporations at the expense of middle class families doesn’t go far enough. It’s clear that Chris Mitchum would take the Central Coast backward.
Conclusion
With the election just days away, the contrast between Lois Capps’ focus on Central Coast middle class families, seniors, and women and Chris Mitchum’s out-of-touch agenda that puts his dysfunctional own politics ahead of people could not be more clear. Headed into this election, Central Coast families are standing behind Capps’ track record and middle class agenda. Capps’ financial advantage and strong record put her in a strong position to win on Election Day.