Amidst anti-incumbent moods, five challengers filed with the Secretary of State against Congressman Hastings. They face a serious obstacle: campaign funds. “My campaign manager estimated we needed $500,000,” said Richard Wright, Democratic challenger in 2006. Current Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports indicate anti-incumbents have under funded campaigns compared to Hastings who raised $633,569 from 351 individuals and 277 Political Action Committees.

    Jay Clough, Kennewick, Democrat, has raised $25,999. Clough, which rhymes with tough, “Had enough? Vote for Clough,” is a 33-year-old Tri-Cities native. He’s a stocky, former Marine Corporal and CWU graduate.  During 2008 and 2009 he blogged about how the federal government should work. “If you don’t like the way the government is running, you need to hold your representatives accountable. One way to do that is get out and run.”

    Since June 2009 he’s run. He works 40 hours per week on the Hanford clean-up and campaigns nights and weekends in face-to-face meetings, as he did recently under these clear skies. He out-hustled Democratic candidates to earn virtually every Democratic district endorsement.  “He was the overwhelming favorite,” said George Fearing, the 2008 challenger to Hastings and chair of the Democratic Committee for the Congressional 4^th District.

    My search of FEC reports informed me the other challengers “had taken no action to become a candidate.” Not so.

    Rex Brocki, Union Gap, Tea Party, emailed, “I am indeed a candidate, and the reason you don’t see me yet …is the FEC has endless technicalities, …which I’m exploiting … to legally keep [opponents] ignorant.” In his website “Rant and Raves” he said, “I don’t want this job, but we desperately [need] somebody besides Ron Paul in Congress to teach … those hooligans the meaning of ‘Congress shall make no law.’

    Mary Ruth Edwards, Prosser, Constitution, detailed FEC technicalities. She filed with the FEC, “but until I reach the $5,000 threshold I will not be considered a candidate according to their definition.” She got them to admit, “I am eligible for election.”

    She’s in her late 40s, a former Marine with degrees from CWU and Whitworth who teaches 4^th grade. Her political activism led her to the Constitution Party platform. She said, “Wow, these guys think exactly like I do.” She’s now Benton County’s party coordinator and speaks about the history and contents of the U.S. Construction around the Tri-Cities.

    Leland Yialelis (pronounced Ya-lay-lease), East Wenatchee, Independent, said on the phone, “I’m campaigning in Othello as we speak.” He’ll soon hit the $5,000 minimum and file reports.  He’s an equipment analyst with the State DOT. He’s been general manager of a $3.5 million business with 30 employees, state prison chaplain and clergyman. His website says there are no Republican and Democratic ideas: “There are only good and bad ideas.” His blog details differences with Hastings on a number of issues. 

    The fourth FEC ‘non-candidate,’ Shane Fast, Kennewick, Republican, did not have a campaign website I could find.

FEC also reports debts owed by the last two Democratic campaigns. Wright’s campaign owes him $120,500.  “I don’t regret it. It’s important that all elections be contested and more important for people to stand up for what they believe.”

    Fearing deflected questions about his campaign’s $8,500 debt, saying, “It’s been taken care of. “ Instead he supports Clough. “It’s very important Doc Hastings be defeated.”

    Anti-Congressional-incumbent voices under these clear skies are muted by meager funds. They fight on with the spirit of citizenship flowing through our country. This is my small voice thanking them for their dedication to the election process at significant sacrifice to them and their families.