http://mycn2.com/politics/geoff-davis-says-he-ll-back-massie-as-nominee-is-concerned-about-outside-group-s-influence

Publication Date: May 22, 2012

Author: Ryan Alessi

Geoff Davis says he'll back Massie as nominee, is concerned about 'outside' group's influence

05/22/2012 10:56 PM

Republican U.S. Rep. Geoff Davis said he will support Thomas Massie as the 4th District GOP nominee but stopped short of a rousing endorsement of Massie and lamented the effect of outside Super PACs in the race.

Davis told Pure Politics during a phone interview that he wasn’t sure whether he could have won his primary races early on if one of his opponents had been backed by hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of ads form an outside group. The Liberty for All Super PAC, founded by Texas college student John Ramsey, spent more than $542,000 on TV ads and tens of thousands of dollars more on radio and mailings on Massie’s behalf.

“A few wealthy people, in effect, purchased enough TV to overcome what would have otherwise would have been a fairly straight-forward race,” said Davis, who endorsed state Rep. Alecia Webb-Edgington in the seven-candidate primary. “I believe one of the other candidates would have won this race outright.”

Massie won the nomination to replace Davis with 45 percent of the vote with Webb-Edgington coming in second with less than 29 percent. Davis said he will “support the Republican nominee in every race in the 4th congressional district.”

Davis also responded to a question about what kind of congressman Massie would be (4:30 of the video). Watch the full Election Night interview:

About Ryan Alessi

Ryan Alessi joined cn|2 in May 2010 as senior managing editor and host of Pure Politics. He has covered politics for more than 10 years, including 7 years as a reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader. Follow Ryan on Twitter @cn2Alessi. Ryan can be reached at 502-792-1135 or ryan.alessi@twcable.com.

Comments

  • Noah Meeks wrote on May 22, 2012 11:32 PM :

    The effect of this PAC money is exaggerated, I believe. 4th district voters are not stupid, and this was reported well in advance so that folks could factor it into their votes. Because turnout is low, blanket advertisements mean less than solid, local grassroots support. If money was The deciding factor, we would have seen Gary Moore (the fundraising leader in the race) do far better than distant 3rd. The congressman is grasping for straws on this analysis, and a little disingenuous, considering how much money he raised from out of state, including Texas! Massie won this race because he had a good narrative and enthusiastic supporters, the same thing that propelled the congressman through his wins,not so much because of money.

  • Henry County wrote on May 23, 2012 08:37 AM :

    Sure glad that the local residents of the 4th district have as much control over the race as some residents in Texas. We do not have a democracy anymore. It is being run by the wealthy few who have money. Our country is at serious risk because of teh Supreme Courts ruling on Citizens United. Its ironic to hear Davis complaining about it because all the Republicans supported it at first. Remember the Gingrich campaign that was kept hoing by one billionaire? WTF! Stop the madness and give us our country back to the men and women who fought and worked for our country!

  • Noah Meeks wrote on May 24, 2012 07:50 AM :

    You prove my point, HC. Remember that Gingrich campaign? Multimillions of dollars and he still went down in bad defeat.

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