Republican Insurgents Turn to TV

Bergen County Clerk Kathleen Donavon has begun to run 30 second ads on cable networks, vowing to prove the myth that Republicans can't win in Bergen County false, as she runs for a 7th consecutive term (Via PoliticsNJ).

Donavon is in charge of an entire slate of rebel Bergen Republicans, including candidates for freeholder positions and the county surrogate. Together they have raised over $144,000, which crushes the measly $26,000 inside the warchest of the Bergen County Republican Organization, which has repeatedly criticized Donavon's team as "Whitman Republicans," who are appeasing the Democrats on the local and state level.

Nevertheless, it looks as if Donovan's wing of the GOP is going to take charge in Bergen County, largely due to the superior funding and increased access to cable media outlets. Those who don't underestimate the value of money in national politics should look to local campaigns, which are oftentimes even more heavily affected by the wealth of the candidates. A candidate with $10,000 to spare is a heavy favorite against one who doesn't.

Any candidate who has access to media is likely to crush one who doesn't have any. Press Releases, such as this one, are not available to the poorer candidates.