MI-01

Sorry, Connie: National Democrats Not Feeling Saltonstall Bid

Evan McMorris-Santoro | April 9, 2010, 6:23PM

Former Charlevoix County Commissioner Connie Saltonstall

Democrats in Washington are starting to move on from Rep. Bart Stupak's retirement today, and setting their sights on keeping the Michigan first district seat Stupak held for the Democrats for 18 years. The party has offered up a number of names as potential replacements for Stupak today -- but none of them is ex-Charlevoix County commissioner Connie Saltonstall.

Party officials say they expect more Democrats to enter the race, and they're making no mention of the progressive, pro-choice Saltonstall who was running against Stupak in the primary from the left with the support of several national progressive organizations. Saltonstall is unfazed by the lack of attention from the party and told TPMDC this evening she's as committed as ever to winning the nomination.

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Bart Stupak

Pro-Choice Groups Back Saltonstall Over Stupak In Michigan

Evan McMorris-Santoro | March 24, 2010, 3:01PM

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) and 1st District congressional candidate Connie Saltonstall (D)

Connie Saltonstall, the former county commissioner mounting a Democratic challenge against Rep. Bart Stupak in Michigan, has added two more national groups to her already impressive line up of national backers.

In a joint release today, Planned Parenthood and NARAL threw their support behind Saltonstall, who is running as a pro-choice Democrat against Stupak, who since the health care debate has emerged as one of the party's most famous pro-life politicians.

"The clock is ticking on Mr. Stupak's '15 minutes of fame,'" NARAL president Nancy Keenan said in a statement today. "We will work to put an end to Mr. Stupak's divisiveness and replace him with a leader like Connie, who represents Michigan's mainstream values."

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Bart Stupak

More National Groups Sign On To Saltonstall Campaign

Evan McMorris-Santoro | March 17, 2010, 6:43PM

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) and 1st District congressional candidate Connie Saltonstall (D)

More national progressive groups, including NOW and Blue America PAC, have signed on to help former county commissioner Connie Saltonstall in her insurgent bid to beat Rep. Bart Stupak in Michigan's 1st District Democratic primary. Democracy for America is about to get in, too, according to a spokesperson.

It's not yet clear how real the effort will turn out to be. But the national coalition to primary Stupak is certainly building, and Stupak's wife told me today her husband will be ready for it.

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Bart Stupak

Nat'l Progressives Make First Moves Toward Backing A Stupak Primary

Evan McMorris-Santoro | March 16, 2010, 6:58PM

Former Charlevoix County Commissioner Connie Saltonstall

When I interviewed Connie Saltonstall last week, the former Charlevoix County, MI commissioner told me she's aiming to become the next Bill Halter with her primary bid against Rep. Bart Stupak (D). Now it looks like her prediction may be coming true.

Democracy For America, one of the progressive groups that helped push Halter into his primary race against Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) in Arkansas, is now polling its membership to ask them if the group should turn some of its resources to Saltonstall, who is running on a platform of opposition to Stupak's focus on abortion in the health care debate.

"We don't just jump into a primary race without the overwhelming support of members making it clear exactly where the DFA community stands," DFA deputy political director Michael Langenmayr wrote in an email message today.

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