Blue Dog PAC: Conservative Democrats

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 14, 2011

Contact: Andrew Whalen

Washington, D.C. – The Blue Dog Coalition made a definitive push for a return to centrist politics in our nation’s capital today, endorsing 5 candidates for the 2012 election cycle.  Selecting Democratic candidates with strong backgrounds in business, national defense, and public service in conservative districts, the Blue Dog Coalition returned to its model of success- selecting individuals willing to stand for the middle ground and support commonsense policies to put our country back on a path to fiscal soundness and economic prosperity.  

“The Blue Dogs have always represented the common sense middle and mainstream values of American politics. We’ve fought for balanced budgets, private sector economic growth, and to support our men and women in uniform,” Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) Co-Chair of the Blue Dog PAC said. “These five individuals all share those commitments and won’t hesitate to stand up to party leadership, on either side of the aisle, for what they know is right. We need more of that in Congress, and we could not be more pleased to endorse these candidates today.” 

The first round of Blue Dog endorsed candidates include the following:

• Leonard Bembry (FL-2)

Florida state representative, farmer and small business owner.

• Clark Hall (AR-1)

Arkansas state representative, former mayor of Marvell, AR.

• Brendan Mullen (IN-2)

Graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Iraq war veteran, entrepreneur.

• Ted Vick (SC-7)

Minority Whip of the South Carolina State House, Lt. Colonel SC National Guard.

• Rob Wallace (OK-2)

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney under Presidents Bush and Obama, former District Attorney.

“The American people are tired of the gridlock in Washington that has been created by the extremes of the right and left,” said Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Co-Chair of the Blue Dog PAC. “They want mature leadership capable of solving problems. That’s who the Blue Dogs are, and that’s why these candidates actively sought our endorsement. They know what the Blue Dog brand represents and wanted to share in it. We’re thrilled to have them joining us today.” 

Matheson and Cardoza said that the Blue Dogs expect to endorse additional candidates early next year. 

“These five candidates perfectly fit the mold of a Blue Dog, Matheson said. “But we’re not done yet. We believe strongly in Blue Dog values and that American voters want elected officials who put doing what is right for our country before politics.  We are going to support candidates who share our belief in doing just that.” 

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