Candidate trying to unseat Hall says he's waiting to funnel cash
By TOM BENNING / The Dallas Morning News WASHINGTON – Congressional candidate Jerry Ray Hall boasts of ponying up $500,000 of his own money to defeat longtime incumbent Rep. Ralph Hall in March's Republican primary. That is no mistake, said Jerry Ray Hall, who isn't related to the congressman. He said he is waiting until this week to funnel the money into his campaign. That way, his funding isn't listed in the most recent campaign finance reports and his opponents are left guessing, he said. "It's called a plan of action," he said. "There is nothing like being on a stealth mode." The filing deadline for the most recent reports was Jan. 31, for activity in the period ending Dec. 31. So Jerry Ray Hall could've transferred the cash weeks ago, and his fellow candidates would not have been the wiser until the next deadline to report donations – Feb. 18. If Jerry Ray Hall keeps his word, he will probably be the best funded of Ralph Hall's five challengers. With only four weeks left until the primary, he wouldn't specify how he was going to spend the money other than to use "any media I can get my hands on."
Ralph Hall has about $232,000 in his campaign account, according to the most recent filings, and two other challengers, Joshua Kowert and John Cooper, have spent only a few thousand dollars. Another Republican candidate, Steve Clark, vowed to match the congressman's funds, and he has already purchased several newspaper and radio advertisements. Clark didn't send the elections commission his candidacy statement until Jan. 8, so his finances also won't be listed until later this month. Jerry Ray Hall hasn't been afraid to stir things up. In a nod to his Tea Party affiliation, he included "Tea" in his name when he first filed to run for office. He has also bragged about friendships and photos with several high-profile politicians – even those who actively support Ralph Hall. "I'm not claiming any endorsements," he said. "I'm just saying I'm the most qualified candidate – other than Ralph Hall – because I have a lot of friends in Washington and Texas already."
Editor's Comment: And don't forget your friends down here in Panama (where you actually live) Jerry. Howdy. "Stealth Mode?" How's that working out for you? He included "Tea" in his name but the Tea Party does not endorse his candidacy. And he thinks that having friends makes him qualified? Amazing.
Related Articles:
- What? That Crazy Bastard Jerry Hall Is Running for Congress? - 5 Feb 2010
- "Doctor" Jerry Hall - In His Own Words - 5 Feb 2010
- Because Two Nuts Are Better Than One - Especially In The Sack - 5 Feb 2010
- "Doctor" Jerry Ray Hall - Texas Republican Primary - 6 Feb 2010
