Politico looks at Jesse Kelly’s campaign in the GOP primary that will decide the nominee who will face Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords:

No one will ever accuse Jesse Kelly of bringing weak tea to the party.

The conservative 29-year-old Marine combat veteran and tea party favorite made waves this week when a video of him criticizing Sarah Palin’s endorsements of “people who will sell our principles down the river” surfaced and caused a stir.

The brief moment of national notoriety notwithstanding, Kelly is surging at the end of the 8th District GOP primary campaign here, largely on the strength of an impressive grassroots organization and a cocky, free-wheeling style that contrasts sharply with that of the more measured, more disciplined former state Sen. Jonathan Paton.

“I’m expecting a pretty sound victory … I’m not expecting to squeak by. I’m expecting it to be a mandate,” Kelly told POLITICO in an interview over lunch at a P.F. Chang’s restaurant here. “Someone forgot to tell the conservatives in District 8 that we had no chance in this race.”

If Kelly’s right, he’ll win the chance next Tuesday to take on Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in November, providing yet another proving ground for conservative activists to show that their candidates can win in politically competitive seats.

Read the whole thing here.

This article appears in Aug 19-25, 2010.

Getting hassled by The Man Mild-mannered reporter

3 replies on “CD8: Jesse Kelly Tells Politico He’s “Expecting a Pretty Sound Victory””

  1. I have to disagree that the Kelly campaign was all free wheeling and not disciplined.

    It was very disciplined. Wherever I went, I saw Jesse kelly stickers on cars. Only a few of the other candidates. It was almost like a”club” everybody waving to one another.

    Also people walking not only on Saturdays but days of the week all over town. “Meet and Greet” almost every night That seems very DISCIPLINED. Also many people in their Office calling all day. I would say the Staff of the Kelly campaign were EXTREMELY DICIPLINED. Definitly not LAZY.

  2. The Sore Losers are always the ones left with Sour Grapes. Jesse Kelly’s Campaign was a Well Oiled Machine. It didn’t Slow down or stop at any time. Even now, Jesse Kelly is Targeting His Sights on Gabby looking Well past Paton. Jesse Kelly’s Confidence is Inspiring and Contageous. Why Don’t You Write about that? Jesse Kelly Won Every Single GOP Primary Debate. Jesse Kelly is the Only Citizen Candidate/Tea Party Conservative Candidate Who is Actually Endorsed by a Tea Party in CD-8. That Tea Party is the Douglas Tea Party. The Douglas Tea Party is Proudly Endorsing Jesse Kelly. They see ALL of the Good & Positive Energy he’s bringing back into the GOP Party. Jesse Kelly ran a Clean Campaign too. I Never ONCE Saw Him or Heard of Him hitting another fellow Republican below the Belt or going too far personally attacking any of this Primary Opponents. The other Folksy Citizen Candidate, Andy Goss, threw His Support Jesse Kelly as Well. I Don’t think that FACT Should be lost on anyone. I Really think that Endorsement as well as the Douglas Tea Party Really Helped make Jesse Kelly a Serious Contender. Too bad the Paton Campaign didn’t take Notice of that until it was too late. Now they’re wish they did but it’s over. Paton’s last minute Negative Ads Against Jesse Kelly Prove how Poorly of a Campaign he ran. Jesse Kelly was Underestimated from day one but now he’s Proving EVERYONE they were wrong about Him. He’ll do the Same to Gabby. Gabby Better Not take Jesse Too Lightly or She’ll be suffering from Paton’s same Fate. Jesse Kelly’s going to Congress this November. I Said it here FIRST!

  3. Jesse Kelly continues to run an open, honest, stream-lined campaign, focusing on the issues important to Arizona residents. Not just those in the cities and towns, but those of us who ranch and live well beyond the asphalt. He has not succumbed to the typical ad hominem attacks Paton has resorted to, but has remained focused on the issues, the concerns, and the very real threats to the safety and security of Arizonans. We have seen him grow and strengthen as a candidate, and stand behind him as he leads us back to a more conservative approach to government. We, the People are thoroughly disgusted with the Establishment, the Machine, and the Elite Ruling Class who for some reason believe they truly know better and consistently treat us like idiot children. Giffords is just one of those who need an abrupt and harsh reality check. Jesse Kelly will give her one in November…

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