Late last week I got a phone call from Eric Roach. Roach, who recently was the top conservative vote-getter in the recent CD 50 Special Election where conservative candidates split up the vote and moderate lobbyist and former Congressman Brian Bilberry narrowly came in second place, and a spot in the runoff.
Roach is now looking at a potential active run in the GOP ballot for the full two-year term in the “Cunningham” seat.
Roach asked me my thoughts on whether he should run or not. We spoke at length and we certainly agreed that Bilbray’s election would do nothing to contribute to a conservative majority in the House, and that the 50th district was conservative enough to send someone to DC that would confront the “pink elephant” in the room – massive growth in federal spending under the GOP watch.
Roach asked me if I would take couple days off of work and join him on a trip to Washington, D.C, to meet with some interested conservative groups.
In talking with Roach extensively on the flight out, I was filled with excitement at the drive, energy and optimism that he has – even after the narrow loss in the special. Roach remains more committed than even to challenging the status quo, and confronting the “disconnect” between grassroots conservatives and what is going on in Washington.
Also out here with the “Roach contingent” are other candidates who ran in that special election. There is a lot of coalescing going on right now….
Eric Roach would be a strong candidate and a great Congressman. We’ll see how things go on this trip to Washington, but I suspect one thing will be true — our trip will likely cement the most important consideration that I hope Roach takes to heart — we desperately need a conservative majority in Congress.
The more time I spend with Roach, the more I think that he would make a difference in Congress, and help get the GOP in Congress back on track.
I wonder if Bilbray is in town, doing laundry in his home in Virginia before going back to his mom’s place in San Diego County where he is registered to vote.
April 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Now you’ve really stirred the pot Jon with team Issa, Paule, Gilliard, etc. LOL! I’m behind this effort 100% as well. We need to get DC Republicans out of their comfort zone and start acting like real Republicans again. If that means mounting a strong conservative challenge to the establishment choice than so be it.