Campaign Evaluation: Rebekah Bydlak (US House, FL-1)

[Brian4Liberty]

This thread is intended to be a collection point of the strong pros and cons of any potential liberty candidate / campaign that is being discussed / promoted on the forum. You are welcome to post both positive and not-so-positive attributes about the candidate as they related to the evaluation.


Information

Candidate Information
Candidate Name: Rebekah Bydlak
Office Sought: U.S. Congress
Party: Republican
State / District: FL / 1st
Website: http://www.rebekah2016.com/
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebekah2016/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rebekah_2016


Race Information: Competition & Demographics
Incumbent: Jeff Miller (R) - Retiring.
Primary Date: August 30, 2016
Other Primary Candidates:
1st District Candidates:
- Robert Blake (R) ~ Defense Contractor, Retired USAF Officer
- Cris Dosev (R) ~ Real Estate Developer, Retired USMC Officer
- Greg Evers (R) ~ State Senator, Farmer, Ex-State Representative
- Brian Frazier (R) ~ Retired Navy Captain
- Matt Gaetz (R) ~ State Representative, Attorney
- Rich Gazlay (R) ~ Roofing Contractor
- John Mills (R) ~ Physician
- Mark Wichern (R) ~ Structural Restoration Contractor
- James Zumwalt (R) ~ Ex-Congressional Aide, Iraq War Veteran
- Michelle Ryan (R)
Non-Incumbent Candidates from Other Parties:



Evaluation

Candidate Profile: Issues
Civil Liberties: [Rating TBD]
Constitutional Issues: [Rating TBD]
Economic Issues: [Rating TBD]
Foreign Policy: [Rating TBD]
Social Issues: [Rating TBD]
Overall Issues Rating: [Rating TBD]


Candidate Profile: Personal
Honesty: [Rating TBD]
Issue consistency: [Rating TBD]
Personality: [Rating TBD]
Associations: [Rating TBD]
Relevant experience: [Rating TBD]
Personal history: [Rating TBD]
Overall Personal Rating: [Rating TBD]

Candidate Rating: [Rating TBD]



Race Profile Rating
Race Impact Rating: [Rating TBD]
Victory Impact Rating: [Rating TBD]

Race Profile Rating: [Rating TBD]



Overall Rating:



Evaluation Commentary

Key strong points:

Possible weak points:

Possible deal breakers:

Unknown points for further research:

Rating commentary:

 

[johndeal]

Seems like a reasonable bet. Any info on how she's doing on the ground?

 

[Krugminator2]

I wouldn't hold this against her, but her husband trashed Rand Paul with just nothing smears.

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/07/why-im-tried-of-defending-rand-paul-120844

 

[Brian4Liberty]

I wouldn't hold this against her, but her husband trashed Rand Paul with just nothing smears.

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/07/why-im-tried-of-defending-rand-paul-120844

That was more like lamenting.

Since serving as Ron Paul’s fundraising director in 2008, I have often been asked what made Congressman Paul so popular—why he was able to raise so much money, especially online. In recent months, a new question has replaced the old ones: Will his son be able to do the same?

Earlier this year, when reporters began calling to ask for my predictions about how Paul the younger’s fundraising momentum would compare to his father’s, I behaved as I thought was appropriate: I hedged. I bit my tongue. I answered cautiously.

Through it all, I haven’t said what now seems increasingly obvious: There is little chance that Rand Paul’s momentum will ever match that of Ron Paul.

That article will be seen as a good sign by the majority of this forum. Complaining about things like Rand signing the Tom Cotton letter is an understandable "complaint", although if he was a supporter, he would save the negatives for post-campaign, not at the beginning.

 

[Krugminator2]

That was more like lamenting.

That article will be seen as a good sign by the majority of this forum. Complaining about things like Rand signing the Tom Cotton letter is an understandable "complaint", although if he was a supporter, he would save the negatives for post-campaign, not at the beginning.

The unfortunate reason is clear: Rand Paul doesn’t stand for much of anything anymore.

Rand was a once in a lifetime candidate. If someone feels Rand doesn't stand for anything, then they are on a different team than I am on.

 

[Chieppa1]

Absolutely. The more the better.

 

[Mr.NoSmile]

Sounds promising, but what's the competition look like?

 

[Brian4Liberty]

More info:

Today 25-year-old native Floridian Rebekah Johansen Bydlak announced her Republican candidacy for the state’s 1st Congressional District.

Born and raised in McDavid community in north Escambia County, she attended Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida and holds a master’s degree in political science and public administration from UWF.

Since graduation, Bydlak has served as Outreach Director for the Coalition to Reduce Spending, an advocacy organization dedicated to reducing federal spending and debt -of which her husband Jonathan, former Director of Fundraising for Ron Paul’s 2008 Presidential campaign, serves as president.

“The First District deserves innovative solutions, not just more of the same,” Bydlak said in her press announcement. “A vibrant, 21st century economy that benefits all demands a federal government that abides by our Constitution.”

“Washington is broken,” she added, “and I have the experience to be part of the solution. Every child born today will face tens of thousands of dollars in debt they did not ring up, thanks to career politicians who have no interest in stopping business as usual. I will fight for my generation’s right to be free from this burden.”
...
http://ricksblog.biz/another-republican-files-for-congress-2/

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Rand was a once in a lifetime candidate. If someone feels Rand doesn't stand for anything, then they are on a different team than I am on.

It's an unfortunate characteristic of stubborn contrarians, critics, pessimists and libertarians to save their harshest, and often loudest criticism for those closest to their own ideology.

Guess there's a bit of karma here. He gave up on Rand early in the process, which led to you bringing up a negative as soon as his wife announces she is running.

 

[Matt Collins]

Although I'm sure she is solid on the issues, I don't think she has any chance to win whatsoever.

 

[Matt Collins]

Although I'm sure she is solid on the issues, I don't think she has any chance to win whatsoever.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Sounds promising, but what's the competition look like?

Republican District, incumbent is retiring. Wide open, but crowded field.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Although I'm sure she is solid on the issues, I don't think she has any chance to win whatsoever.

What is the GOP Primary process in Florida? Majority required or some plurality?

She is a long-shot, but she has a chance to win. She would probably do well to use the essential platform used by two recent no "chance to win whatsoever" candidates*. Dave Brat was one of them.

*On top of liberty-oriented, small government and Constitutional positions.

 

[Matt Collins]

Her narrative is insurmountable and I doubt she will be able to raise the money. But she knows a lot of people who know how to win elections so it is quite possible that she will be able to position herself as well as possible and squeak out a lucky victory. With a crowded field, it could easily be only a few thousand voters (or less) who determine the outcome. She might get lucky. But short of that, I don't think she has any chance at all, the math just doesn't add up.

 

[Krugminator2]

It's an unfortunate characteristic of stubborn contrarians, critics, pessimists and libertarians to save their harshest, and often loudest criticism for those closest to their own ideology.

Guess there's a bit of karma here. He gave up on Rand early in the process, which led to you bringing up a negative as soon as his wife announces she is running.

She probably is good and people should support her. I had never heard of him but I recognized Jonathan Bydlak's name instantly, because I remember he went to Politico when everyone was piling on to Rand to further the narrative that Rand was a sellout. It it the only time I have ever heard of him.

I actually just Googled his name and this popped up. I can't help myself. Apparently this article struck a nerve with other people.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

She probably is good and people should support her. I had never heard of him but I recognized Jonathan Bydlak's name instantly, because I remember he went to Politico when everyone was piling on to Rand to further the narrative that Rand was a sellout. It it the only time I have ever heard of him.

I actually just Googled his name and this popped up. I can't help myself. Apparently this article struck a nerve with other people.

LOL. Yeah, I gave him a hard time. We hadn't even started yet and he was throwing in the towel, so timing is important.

But the gist of this from a campaign evaluation standpoint is that Rebekah would probably be more like Ron than Rand, not that there's much of an actual divide there.

 

[EBounding]

I'm wary of sending money to people running for a federal office with no voting record. Hope she surprises a lot of people though.

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

Her narrative is insurmountable and I doubt she will be able to raise the money. But she knows a lot of people who know how to win elections so it is quite possible that she will be able to position herself as well as possible and squeak out a lucky victory. With a crowded field, it could easily be only a few thousand voters (or less) who determine the outcome. She might get lucky. But short of that, I don't think she has any chance at all, the math just doesn't add up.

Her narrative is insurmountable??? What does that even mean?

And now I'm curious if you had a prediction for Eric Brakey's race in ME? (very much a long shot, as was Gunny's)

I've already sent money to Rebekah, and attended her fundraiser in DC last week where Amash showed up in support. I had a discussion with her over fundraising and she not only acknowledged the importance of making the calls, but also nailed it by finishing the convo with an ask. I think she may just "pull a Brakey" regarding fundraising. Beyond that, the crowded field may help more than hurt, and in many ways, traditional "math" has pretty much been thrown out the window this cycle.

Finally, regardless of her chances, the platform to spread ideas is always valuable.

#GoGrassroots

 

[johndeal]

The main competition seems to be Matt Gaetz, who has $340k ($113K from himself) on hand and is a sitting member of the FL state house.

Bydlak didn't file in March (I don't know if she entered the race then).

This would be an ideal house seat to target if we had a candidate who had been elected locally and could get people knocking doors. Does anyone know how she's doing in that respect. I've given some money to Brannon in NC who I think can thread the needle. If Bydlak has a decent shot I'd be happy to support her as well but I'd prefer not to throw money away.

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

The main competition seems to be Matt Gaetz, who has $340k ($113K from himself) on hand and is a sitting member of the FL state house.

Bydlak didn't file in March (I don't know if she entered the race then).

This would be an ideal house seat to target if we had a candidate who had been elected locally and could get people knocking doors. Does anyone know how she's doing in that respect. I've given some money to Brannon in NC who I think can thread the needle. If Bydlak has a decent shot I'd be happy to support her as well but I'd prefer not to throw money away.

Her husband was active here in 2008, I'll see if he still has his PW and can keep an eye on this to answer questions/etc.