... by email comes a note from Rep. Dave Reichert's office that the House today passed... Reichert's Alpine Lakes Wilderness Legislation!

Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) today applauded the passage of his Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (H.R. 1769), by the U.S. House of Representatives. Reichert’s proposal passed the House with strong bipartisan support, and marked a significant step toward securing a 22,000-acre expansion of the existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area to include important lower-elevation lands and complete watersheds, and the designation of both the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild and Scenic. [intro]

Yesterday, David Castillo, Republican candidate for Congress running in Washington's third district, announced the endorsement of the FreedomWorks PAC. From the release:

“We are proud to endorse David Castillo as a Champion of Freedom. His commitment to fundamental free market principles tells me he will be one of the leaders in the next Congress on core limited government issues,” said Chairman Dick Armey.

Castillo is only one of four House challengers to be endorsed by the PAC and listed on their ‘Top Targets’ list. They indicate their support by referring to endorsed candidates as a “Champion Of Freedom”. The group has also endorsed four Senate challengers – three of whom have received national media coverage of their races: Marco Rubio (FL), Rand Paul (KY), and Pat Toomey (PA).

“I am truly honored and humbled to have their support,” states Castillo. “Having seen this organization from the inside, I know and share their strong commitment to promote freedom through lower taxes and less government. When it comes to fiscal responsibility and conservative economic principles – FreedomWorks and Dick Armey are the real deal.” ...

From the Paul Akers campaign:

Team Akers today announced a St. Patrick's Day "Pledge Bomb". Paul Akers said

"One of my staff members said they had an Idea - get people to pledge $17 per month until we're done - one dollar for each year Senator Murray has been in office - on March 17th. I didn't even need to think about it. It's what I've been saying all along - you have to listen to people, or else you're missing out on great ideas. Senator Murray is so out of touch with Washington, she thinks it's all blue skies back home.

Where most candidates ask for donations on a specific day - a "money bomb", Team Akers throws in a twist - by asking for the donation monthly. Paul said,

"We plan on being around a while - and we want everyone to know it. We want people to feel like this is their campaign as well. From what I understand, someone who donates once, will give an opinion or feedback, but someone who donates monthly is going to demand accountability and want to be a part of the process. THAT is what this pledge bomb is all about."

When I talk to politically plugged-in folks back home, there are still a lot of question marks surrounding Akers' candidacy.  Irrespective, it's pretty clear that he is knuckling down and getting on with the tasks that campaigns must complete successfully in order to compete.  I'll be interested to see what this St. Patrick's Day Pledge Bomb delivers for him. [intro]