Mizusawa comments on fundraising
By JR Hoeft | Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 | PoliticsBert Mizusawa had a tremendous fundraising quarter – raising nearly $200,000, with over 75% from donations.
However, an opposing campaign emailed their analysis of his numbers and stated that a majority of his donations came from outside the district. I asked Mizusawa about this and he responded as follows:
The ultimate test of community support for all candidates in this contest is the primary vote on June 8th. If the December 31st FEC report, which speaks for itself, determined the outcome, I would have started much earlier and focused my campaign on money rather than substance. Nevertheless, I am proud of the fantastic support we received in only a short period that coincided with the holidays, and hear that we outraised all others on a weekly basis. While this financial support will definitely help us get our message out, by no means will money or hype substitute for substance in our campaign to be the Second District’s Congressman.
Just when I didn’t think this race could get any more interesting…it does.
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About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
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57 Responses to "Mizusawa comments on fundraising"
So what is the answer? What was the in district fundraising vs. out of district fundraising? I’m totally confused by this non-answer.
Logical Conservative, go to http://www.fec.gov, you can count up Bert’s contributions on the report. He had 50 some total donors, but zero from Virginia Beach, zero from Norfolk, zero from the Eastern Shore. He has 6 or 7 donors from Hampton, but who knows if they live in the 2nd?
Lots of DC and New York donors, FYI.
So what about all of the other candidates? I’m curious how much each of the candidates have raised in district.
As for Bert’s out of district fundraising, is that unusual for this early in the race? I can understand going outside the district once the local money is tapped out. But if Bert is starting his fundraising out of district, that looks like a lack of local support to me.
I agree with Mr. Mizusawa it doesn’t matter where your money comes from. The only thing that really matters for how the district speaks is the primary election and hopefully that will come down to issues and not who has the most money and who has endorsed who. Last time I checked money is the same if it comes from VB, Norfolk, Hampton, and the Eastern Shore or from DC and NY. What are people from the area not going to take his money down here because it was not raised from the 2nd CD?
I disagree. Having money is definitely a great thing, and it certainly correlates with a candidate’s success in getting elected due to a greater ability to spread that candidate’s message. However, raising money IN district matters because it shows the amount of local support for a candidate. The candidates with deep roots in the community are likely to have a much easier time raising money in district. Those local roots also translate into local endorsements, grassroots support (volunteers are important!), in addition to a wider local base for fundraising. All of that leads to local VOTES, which is the ultimate determination of success!
So, that’s why I’m curious about the in district fundraising for ALL of the candidates. I hope that someone does an analysis of all the candidates – and publishes it. When multiple candidates have a similar ability to raise money, the one raising money IN district with local support is more likely to win. Money = good; local money = better.
Matt, you are absolutely right. Money is money. Money from Pacs, what or where is the source? Money from elected officials war chests, what’s the source. What does it matter? Of all the candidates, Mizusawa knows his way around the DC crowd without intermediary introductions, and he kows where to find scarce dollars. More power to him. Like JR said, This race is getting more and more interesting day-by-day! I like it!
Local conservative: So let me get this straight. We don’t need a selection process. You believe the one who raises the most local money should automatically prevail without the process. Right?
I disagree that having large in district fundraising show you have community support. It shows you have support from the rich crowd, but as for the local grassroots conservative issues and experience are what matters. I am not sure who I am going to support in this race, but that decision would surely not be made from an FEC report of where the money came from.
I kinda like Bert Mizusawa. I think he pretty much answered the question. That sounded like he was conceding the idea that the majority or at least a great portion came from out of the area.
I don’t see this as a bad thing. He’s capable of raising money. How is that a negative. He is a Brigadeer General with extensive experience in working with both the military and working with Republican elected officials on national security matters. He’s just gonna have connections all over the place. You get your money as fast as you can from the easiest sources. That seed money will eventually lead to local money. What’s to figure out here? Like he said, as far as real 2nd district tests go, that happens at primary and then election day.
I wish he was at the forum hosted by the Tidewater Libertarian Party. Rigell also. I would have been interested in hearing them speak.
While one of my favorites, I’m not yet settled on anyone in particular. I do so far have a good opinion of the guy and this out of district thing makes sense rather than concern me.
“Local” conservative? Wally, I assume your post was directed to me, despite the error. To answer your question: Of course we need a selection process. I’m not sure how my posts could lead you to conclude that I believe a selection process should be bypassed. In fact, I actually believe that the competitive primary will strengthen the winning candidate heading into the general election. The candidates who can’t handle the heat should stay out of the kitchen. My point was merely that local money usually indicates local support, which gets local votes and ultimately leads to success. Like everything else, local fundraising is a factor – but a rather good one.
oops,sorry Logical Conservative, I needed to clean the smudges on my glasses. I think you over estimate the electorate. It may matter to the hundreds or so that are on blogs but come election day, most don’t have the foggiest about who raised what money or where. We are lucky to get them out at to vote at all. All this back and forth banter on blogs doesn’t get significant reach to the ultimate voting participant. It does however cause animosity among those will supposedly have to unite. However, one can’t unring a bell.
As long as General Mizusawa brings in the dollars that what really matters. There is nothing wrong with him reving support from the Hampton it is part of the distrcit. Bert has been targeting the avergae american voter’s not the local insiders. Bert has experince fighting for his country, and being a sucessful bussiness owner. the best part is that his small owned bussiness didnt give 1100$ to obama or 10K to the yes campaign
As long as bert continues to spread his common sense conservative message, hes going to be the best congressman in VA!
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Hampton essentially Mizusawa’s second home? His wife and children live in Northern Virginia. I was having a conversation with him and he said his children went to school up there. Mizusawa seems like a great guy, but does anyone else see a problem with this? He doesn’t really even live here. It seems like maybe he should run up in Northern Virginia.
The Bert’s home is in hampton. Would you want to move your cbhildren from there school? And you can expect his wiffe to quit her job. This kind of talk is amazing
Odu Conservative, I’m really just wondering what the facts are because on the surface, it seems strange that his wife and kids live in northern va. I guess he just moved back to Hampton? Can you give me the full story of where he and his family live?
Reid. If you really care about the answer and aren’t truly a paid rigell mudslinger, then why don’t you call berts campaign or send him an email. By just posting here all you are just going negative on a campaign.
Nemo, I totally disagree that my question was “going negative”. I started out my comment with “Correct me if I’m wrong” I really don’t mind being set straight with the reason for the living arrangements. I didn’t start a dirty rumor questioning Bert’s character, I simply have a question about the fact that his wife and children don’t live here. That’s it.
Bert lives in Hampton and has far more experince and proven leadership than any of the other candidates. he has experience in the private sector and has proven his leardship for our country.
Bert has recived a Valor of Honor for risking his life for others in South Korea. Bert has shown his leadership & Ive seen him with the grassroot locals, Bert will be the man to get the local grassroot support and beat Glen Nye
I’d like to see Golden and Bert battle it out for most qualified. Bert certainly has more private sector experience, but he has no party experience and does live in Hampton. Bert is a general, but that is in the reserves, which is totally different. Kenny was in for 31 years, he just got out in 2004. He has commanded more men then Bert has and he has worked in/with congress for 5 years doing legislative affairs. Bert was a Senate Professional. Bert has on the ground combat experience, Kenny has in the air when he led the first helicopter squadron deployed to desert storm. Kenny has commanded over 10,000 men at one time, not sure what Bert has done, but Kenny has had 4 at-sea commands, which being a Navy Brat, is unheard of. Admirals never get that many, most have had only 2.
Clearly Bert has more money, but Kenny has far more local connections and support. He went from being in the Navy to being operations officer, vice chair, and then chair of the party. It’s a stretch to say Bert is the only or the best qualified. Clearly he is better than Rigell, but its a stretch to say he has shown local leadership.
A while back I did a google search about Bert, when his name first popped up on the FEC reports. I was kind of surpirsed to see that he worked for AIG as a lawyer getting them bailout money. I wonder what Bert has to say about that? It also talked about him residing in DC, so I also wonder when Bert moved to the area.
Wait a second; if its true that Bert’s children go to public schools up in the DC area, why is he running for Congress in Hampton Roads? Let’s see, he works in DC, his kids go to public schools in the DC area, someone told me his wife is an attorney that works in DC. His home is in the DC suburbs. We are talking about the fact that he makes his home roughly 200 miles away from the district he is trying to represent!
To me, where he lives matters even more than where his money is coming from (though Saul makes a pretty tough point that he couldn’t even find a single donor to his campaign in Virginia Beach or Norfolk).
Can you imagine if someone living in Richmond suddenly wanted to run for Congress 200 miles away in Roanoke in the 6th District? This is just as crazy!
Wrong! His residence is in Hampton and he is registered to vote in the second district. Makes no difference where his wife works, kids go to school, or his dog poops! Give it up already. Next we will be worrying where somebody buys their bagels!
Wally, I would see it as a positive if his dog poops out of district.
Nobody will notice more poo in DC. Here, it might contribute to nitrates making their way into our local waterways.
Britt,
As I understand it, Bert lived in Hampton and went to school here. He then did one of the best things any high-school student could do and decided to serve our country in the military. As anyone in the military know, they send you from place to place, but most people still consider where they came from home.
Hmm his entire family is in DC but he lives here and is registered to vote here… Thats very interesting. Hope things are alright on the family front. (Seriously…) Politics as a career can be tough on the home life.
It seems that Lee Talley just did the same thing to Bert that some people have implied about Rigell and those comments have been removed. So I call on you now JR to remove Lee’s comment as well. Mudslinging from the Rigell camp, imagine my disbelief.
This is Glenn Nye all over again. We all complain that Nye doesn’t know/represent the district. Guess what? Bert has the same proglem. Does a lack of community or civic involvement or Party involvement mean nothing to you people? Bert hasn’t been in one fight for conservative principles in Hampton Roads. To my knowledge he has never participated in one political campaign, or one ballot issue. That means nothing to you Wally? His military record is impressive, but so what. He doesn’t live here. He doesn’t know anything meaningful about the district, our families, our community. Nothing. Do we really need to settle on a person who resides in Northern Virginia to find the next Congressman from Hampton Roads? Are you people taking crazy pills? He doesn’t have single donor from south Hampton Roads. Candidates collect low hanging fruit at the beginning. That means Bert has no low hanging fruit in VB, Norfolk or the Shore – he doesn’t know anybody here. And I’m not talking about the 25 people that go to VB breakfasts, I mean nornal people. This jibe that he raised more money per week is hysterical and nonsensical. Who gives a rat’s ass. He and his family live and work in Northern Virginia and DC. He has no chance of winning the nomination or the general.
“And I’m not talking about the 25 people that go to VB breakfasts, I mean nornal people”
How that air up there in Ivory Towerland?
Well other than just getting involved with the VB GOP Party Scott Rigell has no connection to the party either. But he has helped out some non conservative campaigns in the past here in South Hampton Roads so lets nominate him. Is that what you are saying Ron?
I hope the Bert supporters aren’t really attempting to get into an argument with Rigell supporters about who has the deepest community roots and actual 2nd district support. It isn’t even close.
Pat, I can’t find anything about Bert working for Aig or getting bailout money to Wall Street. I met bert once and he told he worked in the early 90′s as a attorney and not a banker their. If you could put a link to your research on that, it would be appreciated.
It seems Ron has a procedural check list for the banner carrier selection process with a list of positive and negative attributes. Where can I find that? In the party plan?
Hey, speaking of Rigell, now that he has come up front with a sudden blitz of name and facial recognition in a Freedom Ford sales effort, aren’t those guys afraid when the Rigell campaign 4×8′s hit the street and the fliers hit the mail box, the public will just think its car advertisements?
Damn, I express some honest concern and now I’m slandering somebody. I don’t know either way about his situation but I’ve seen other campaigns take their toll on familes. I know I wouldnt want to be campaigning wihtout my family. Last time I checked family is definitly more important than politics. No swipe intended to be sure! Trust me if I want to take a swing at folks I don’t mess around. Ask Kirwin or others, I’m alot of things but subtle is not one of them.
Bert’s figured out rule one and two in politics-you need money to win. Where it comes from will be prolematic for Bert, but at least he’ll have the ability to get his message out for the primary.
The big picture concern is with the general election. A lack of local support will make it very difficult to unseat Nye. I’ll take Bert at his word. He raised money over Christmas and picked low hanging fruit-something all the guys should have done by now. It seems that still some candidates haven’t done that and that concerns me, but i digress. Now let’s see what Bert does in the district.
It does take more than money to win. Local support will determine the primary winner once a minimum money threshold has been established. Bert raised the bar for the field-some of the other contendors need to think hard about their own viability in this race.
We all know that Ridgell dosent usually support the republican candidates. He likes being a high value Obama Donor and Yes campaign supporter
I think you are churning through a non-issue about Bert’s residence. The bottom line is that he is the only candidate who went to elementary, middle, and ultimately graduated high school in the district.
Military duty doesn’t exactly let you hang your hat in one place for too long and I know that General Mizusawa has served in the Sandbox. Thus, I can understand the family decision to be co-located in DC and Hampton for his hard-working wife, the mother of his children, to maintain her employment and care for the family while the General honorably defends our nation abroad.
Bert’s home is Hampton, his roots are Hampton, and his heart is Hampton.
General Bert is NOT the opportunist in this race.
Brian, you know what I mean. Normal people do not go to the GOP breakfast. I should know; I went to it for more than 10 years. That’s ten years of Saturday mornings I’ll never get back…
And Matt, to say that Rigell has not been involved in the GOP is just not true. The governor says Scott Rigell has been walking door to door for him since 1991. I happen to kow Scott was working on congressional campaigns earlier this decade. Are you calling the governor a liar?
You guys are just haters, and I can’t figure out why. If Rigell is the nominee will you vote for him? If the answer is no then you need to do some soul searching about why you’re involved in the Party. On his worst day, Scott Rigell would be a better Congressman than Glenn Nye. Any of our candidates would. There is no perfect candidate. Everyone is free to their own opinions, but you can’t make up your own set of facts.
Ron, for someone who has to hide behind Michael Vick’s handle when he used it to check in for his medical problem, you sure are turning out to be quite the water boy for the Rigell campaign. It’s unfortunate that you couldn’t pick a better alias … maybe “Iron Mike” or “Moose” or “Toothless Aggression”?
Dude, I think the creativity in the name and who it comes from is hysterical and blogging on BD is about having fun, right? Sure these are serious matters: politics, policy, campaigns, elections. But, let’s not take ourselves too seriously. Other than Brian, it’s not like were kingmakers.
This is just an enjoyable way to share ideas and banter amongst friends. It’s not like we’re going to have a beheading, fistfight or a duel because of our differences of opinion. For me, it’s all about having fun and exchanging ideas and opinions. Best wishes…
Hmm Nerf guns at Dawn!
Or even a paintball battle (Let’s face it, we all want to shoot Brian but in this case it won’t be a felony) or go-kart races. JR – could be a good fundraising opportunity for BD.
I gave to Bert Mizusawa and I live right next to ODU. Unfortunately, I guess I didn’t give enough to be counted, but I gave.
I was hoping for more like a dunking booth.
Hmmmn, JR got an e-mail from “an opposing campaign” . . . wonder who could have sent that? Instead of pretending we don’t know, wouldn’t it be more honorable if Candidate X . . . or R . . . or whatever his initial is simply stood up like a man and raised the point himself? Like our brothers and sisters in Massachusetts, we voters in Virginia are not going to tolerate these games any more. We want candidates of character. The rich, good old boys are reeling in their boots up north and apparently squirming a bit down here. It’s patently obvious that the In-District vs. Out-of-District money (NON)issue is being orchestrated by Rigell and his machine. It’s frivolous and petty. My first inclination is to say that if that’s the best you can do to snipe at the guy, you’ve really hit a new low mark. More importantly, let’s take this from a sheer economic standpoint — is there anyone out there who would dispute that bringing money INTO the district is a good thing? If you disagree, then let Adam Smith’s invisible hand spank your ignorant behind. I haven’t looked at Mizusawa’s FEC filing (I don’t have some hired staff researcher trying to dig up dirt on a guy who appears to have all “the right stuff”). It’s my guess that none of his money is from big business, PACs, or any special interests. As I attend the local breakfasts and meet with people who, like me, are genuinely looking for the right kind of candidate to support and vote for, it’s really disappointing that any candidate in this race would marshall his resources to sling this kind of mud. It’s a cheap shot and it’s a NONissue. It’d be like stating the obvious point that the ONLY reason why Rigell has any backing is because he’s lined alot of Republican pockets before entering this race. I mean, $350,000 in campaign contributions may buy you some allies, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are the right guy for the job. I’m one of the Hampton guys who gave Mizusawa money. (Yeah, Saul — I DO live in the 2d District). I’ve been a lifelong Republican. I’ve known Mizusawa since high school and I’ll simply say that he is a walking war hero. I’d give my money any day of the week to a guy who put his life on the line and earned the Silver Star FIGHTING for freedom before I’d give a single penny or consider voting for some whiney candidate who took this cheap shot — whether he named his business Freedom or not.
Hey Ron Mexico, Bert has lived here off and on for almost fifty years. His parents retired here so his ties and his sentiments have always been in Hampton Roads. Bert is as much a local as anyone who has lived here most of their life like myself. I am not military or ex-military but a proud military dependent who has been lucky to live in Hampton Roads most of my life. Do you have a problem with people from Hampton?
Bert has lived in and known Hampton Roads for most of his life. He has many friends in the area who feel he is the best candidate representing our interests. Why don’t we let the voters decide who is the best candidate on their merits not just on how much money they currently have or where their wife happens to have a job or whether they got their job because they married well. Let’s take a look at these candidates’ leadership skills, their education, work and life experience, and their service records to measure them against each other. Who has the most integrity, and would be most able to make courageous decisions to solve the pressing political, strategic and economic issues we are facing? I know who I would pick. Maybe you should not dismiss Bert so categorically.
Ron -
Brian and I have actually talked about a fundraiser of this sort for quite some time – we’re looking at the boardwalk during summer (or outside a Democratic event) with a dunking booth.
Brian, of course, will be in the cage. I’d melt.
All -
Bearing Drift is going to break precedent in May by endorsing a candidate in this race. Until that point, we are going to try our best to just cover this campaign as the candidates desire. If they say they want to provide info on background, then so be it. If they want to be on the record, that’s even better.
Oh, great! Another endorsement! I can’t wait!
Hey JR. what’s the rationale for BD endorsing? I have no problem with it… just curious as to why you’re breaking precedent.
Isn’t it a bit unfair for BD endorse? Especially since one of the main bloggers is under payroll for a campaign….?
Is there going to be a formal interview process for the candidates with a questionairre to answer? Or is it just going to be we like this guy?
Eric, which “main blogger” is on whose payroll?
Everyone can go on facebook and see where the authors loyality lies
I sure hope the Dems don’t read these posts. If this is the best editorializing we can come up with we deserve our fate!
In reality theres only one cadidate who has strong local ties ( schooling, parents, and lives here) strong military experience (Medal of Valor, General) and private enterprise experience( being a small bussiness owner).
General Mizusa by far is the most well rounded of all
The way this thread is going, BD may endorse Glenn Nye.
Nye or Rigell… what’s the difference other than Rigell donates more to Democrats than Nye?
Well Ridgell does have buisness experience over nye
Ridgell is only running as a rep since he has a better chance than running as a dem
Good luck to the candidates! May you serve our country well. That tremendous fundraising quarter – raising nearly $200,000 sure is some shocking result. I hope my school fundraising efforts can get donations like that.
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