The latest in the 10th CD

Washington, DC (July 20, 2006) Vote Against Violence Political Action Committee (VAVPAC) is dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence by supporting candidates who advocate on behalf of survivors and work to prevent domestic and sexual violence in their communities. Vote Against Violence is excited to endorse Chris Carney in his race against Representative Don Sherwood in Pennsylvania’s Tenth district. Mr. Carney’s tireless commitment to and experience with the issue of domestic violence characterizes his ability to work towards real change.

Chris will focus on stopping the cycle of abuse that affects nearly one in four women and one in seven men. He will make it a priority to fund education programs in schools that will teach kids how to handle their anger in productive ways. Carney explained, “Stopping this problem at the source is crucial to ending this cycle.”

His work to prevent domestic violence can be traced all the way back to college. While attending school he worked as an EMT where he cared for many survivors of domestic violence. This will allow him to draw upon first hand knowledge when passing laws to protect survivors.
With the authority and power granted to Congress it is extraordinarily important that members of Congress set the right example for Americans.

Pennsylvania 10th’s incumbent and Carney’s opponent, Don Sherwood, recently settled a domestic violence case out of court for $5.5 million. While cheating on his wife, he was accused of abusing his "mistress." This is a gross violation of power by someone who is supposed to set a good example for his constituents and for the country.

And the spigots have opened for Don Sherwood because they are worried about losing a supposedly safe Republican seat. From The Hill:

The final ROMP fundraiser is used for candidates in the most desperate need of campaign money. Three of the recipients trail their challengers in terms of cash on hand. Most of those who are ahead in funds have only modest leads.

The ROMP list included five incumbents, four open-seat candidates and one challenger. The other beneficiaries were Minnesota open-seat candidate Michele Bachmann; Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.); Jeff Lamberti, who is challenging Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa); Idaho open-seat candidate Bill Sali; Rep. Don Sherwood (R-Pa.); and Iowa open-seat candidate Mike Whalen.

Sherwood stumbled through his primary with 56 percent of the vote after it was revealed that he had settled a multimillion-dollar assault-and-battery lawsuit with a former mistress. The DCCC announced recently that it was adding Sherwood’s opponent, Democrat Chris Carney, to its Red to Blue program, which aids candidates trying to unseat Republican incumbents.

ROMP was created by former Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and is run by the Republican leadership.


So a battered women's group backs Carney and big money pitches in for Sherwood. Of course Sherwood can decide to open his checkbook and blow a lot of money in a losing cause or he can face reality and save his money for retirement.