TO: Interested Parties
FR: DCCC Communications
DT: October 31, 2014
RE: Pre-election Day Outlook: California’s 26th Congressional District
With Election Day fast approaching, Rep. Julia Brownley has a clear financial advantage, a robust get-out-the-vote operation, and a middle class-focused agenda. Meanwhile, as the respected nonpartisan Cook Political Report put it, “Republicans may not be as optimistic about the outcome as they were a month ago” about the prospects of special interest lobbyist Jeff Gorell. Brownley is well-positioned to earn a second term.
Brownley Enters Final Stretch With Massive Resource Advantage
Brownley has maintained a sizeable financial advantage over Gorell for the entire campaign. At the end of the Q3 fundraising period, Brownley raised over $3 million dollars for her re-election efforts, more than $1.8 million dollars more than Gorell. Even with Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader McCarthy, and his former boss, Governor Pete Wilson, headlining fundraisers for him, Gorell’s fundraising has consistently lagged behind Brownley’s. She will have the resources she needs over the final days to get her message out and mobilize her supporters.
Julia Brownley Fighting for Ventura County Families, Gorell in it for Himself
During her time in office, Rep. Julia Brownley has developed a proven track record of getting results for Ventura County middle class families, women, students and veterans. As the Ventura County Star explained in their endorsement, Brownley “has grown more effective while in office, which suggests to us that her strengths and traits are well-suited to her role in the House.”
In contrast, special interest lobbyist Jeff Gorell has spent his career advocating for everyone and anything but Ventura County middle class families and women. Whether it was refusing to support the Violence Against Women Act, equal pay for equal work, allowing insurance companies to charge women more than men, or opposing a minimum wage increase – voters know he’s not on their side.
Brownley Ground Game Winning Early Voters
President Bill Clinton fired up 1,500 Ventura County voters this week and explained “why he believes it is important for Ventura County voters to return Brownley and to send other Democrats to the House of Representatives.” As of today, more than 40,000 votes have already been cast in this district, and Brownley’s massive volunteer operation has led to more Democrats returning their ballots than Republicans – a reverse trend from this point in both 2012 and 2010.
Conclusion
Whether it’s her leadership in fighting to reform the Veterans Administration, protecting California’s coast, working across the aisle to create jobs, or her work to strengthen women’s healthcare and protect their rights, Rep. Julia Brownley has demonstrated that she shares the values of her district and is in a strong position to win next Tuesday.