Ferguson praises Lance's campaign to succeed him

Fresh from vacation with his family and sporting a new goatee, retiring U.S. Rep. Mike Ferguson said State Sen. Leonard Lance is doing a “super” job trying to succeed him.

“He’s got a tremendous track record, legislative and politically. He’s a very strong campaigner, and he’s got a great record to talk about, particularly in contrast to someone we all know well has been raising taxes in our state for 15 or 20 years,” he said.

“When you look at the fiscal problems facing our state today, its’ because of people like Linda Stender who have been raising our taxes, increasing borrowing, increasing spending.  That’s a really positive contrast for him, and I think as the campaign plays out over the next couple months the voters are going to learn that.”

But Lance’s campaign has been troubled by low fundraising figures, at least when compared to the many, many zeros in opponent Linda Stender’s campaign account. 

Ferguson defends Lance on the fundraising front, noting that he raised and spent $500,000 on a primary campaign, which Stender had the luxury of avoiding. 

“Now he just has to step it back up.  He’ll raise what he needs.  There are a lot of people helping him and he’s got,” he said. 

Ferguson doesn’t think that the fundraising disadvantag or the increased number of Democratic registrations since the presidential primary will matter.

“McCain is going to win our district, Dick Zimmer is going to win our district. The statewide numbers aren’t relevant to our congressional campaigns,” he said.

Ferguson himself is taking it easy.  The goatee, he said, was his wife and kids’ idea. 

“We’ll see.  If they like it, I’ll keep it.”