Boswell camp hopes to ride poll lead to further national interest

State Sen. David BoswellThe campaign of state Sen. David Boswell (D-Owensboro) is hoping the recent poll lead their candidate showed in the race for the open 2nd Congressional District seat can translate into national support for their efforts.

"It has helped maintain this race as a winnable one in the eyes of the DCCC," said campaign manager Jim Cole, referring to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee - the national organization that helps elect Democratic candidates to Congress that initially targeted the 2nd District race as a possible Democratic pick-up.

A SurveyUSA poll released last week showed Boswell with a 47 to 44 percent lead over fellow state Sen. Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green). Boswell's lead is within the margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percent, while 9 percent of respondents were "undecided."

Despite the DCCC's targeting, the Boswell campaign in the past has noted that they needed to show fundraising strength in order to keep national interest in the race. The 2nd District seat has been in Republican hands since 1994, and was labeled as a "solidly Republican" district by the Cook Political Report - a widely read barometer on Congressional prospects - until shortly after the newest poll release.

Incumbent U.S. Rep Ron Lewis (R-Cecilia) is retiring after the expiration of his current term, leaving the 2nd District seat open for a Boswell v. Guthrie contest.

In a positive sign for Boswell on July 3, the Cook Report shifted the race into the "likely Republican" category, indicating some political observers see a chance for Democrats.

"We are very happy with the poll," said Cole. "The fact that we are ahead in a long-time Republican district bodes well for us."

The reaction to the poll was mixed from other sources. Guthrie's campaign tried to discredit the results in both a pre-emptive memo and in comments made to PolitickerKY.com.

"Any survey taken in June, before either candidate has begun advertising - and shows 9 percent undecided - has no credibility," said Guthrie's campaign manager, Brian Smith, in an e-mail to PolitickerKY.com sent last Wednesday.

Meanwhile, some observers credited Boswell's poll lead to residual name recognition from his tenure as Commissioner of Agriculture from 1984-1988. Today, Cole contested that logic.

"That was 25 years ago. I'm sure some people still remember, but I don't think that's really it," said Cole. "David does have name recognition from work that he has done in the state Senate."

Boswell has served in the state Senate since 1990. In the most recent legislative session, he was a vocal proponent of strict new ethics legislation that did not become law.

Next for Boswell's camp

The Boswell campaign will take their case to Washington, D.C. shortly, but their first priority is finalizing the composition of their campaign team.

In addition to previous indications to PolitickerKY.com that pollster Fred Yang and media consultant David Browne would likely be coming on board, WHAS' Mark Hebert reported earlier this week that Bill Cox, the recently resigned head of the Kentucky Revenue Department, would likely be joining Boswell as campaign manager.

Today, Cole said he indeed would likely be moving aside for Cox to take the campaign manager position. Cole noted he would take a role as senior consultant on the campaign - a position he said he initially wanted on the campaign.

While contracts are not finalized for Cox, Yang, or Browne, Cole said he and Boswell hope to "solidify their team" prior to their visit to D.C.

Their campaign will be up against quality staff on the other side of the race. Guthrie has retained the services of strategist Scott Jennings and pollster Jan van Lohuizen - both who have previously worked on successful campaigns for Kentucky's senior U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and President Bush.