Grassroots Contributions Challenge Murtha War chest in PA’s 12th

RussellBrigade.com Launches

JOHNSTOWN [07.17.08]: The campaign of Johnstown resident and Republican nominee for Congress Lt. Colonel Bill Russell outpaced incumbent Congressman John Murtha in the second fundraising quarter of 2008. According to campaign manager, Peg Luksik, William Russell for Congress reported raising $637,137 to Murtha’s $113,155 to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). The combined totals from the first and second quarters of 2008 exceed $900,000.

“The incredible story about Bill’s campaign is that the $15 and $25 contributions are coming in from all over Pennsylvania and every corner of the country,” said Luksik. “This is K-Street versus Main Street. These are patriotic families expressing support for soldiers, sailors and Marines, and people saying they’ve had enough of the old ‘pay-to-play’ culture in the Capitol. That’s what’s fueling this campaign.”

Luksik said the Russell campaign has been operating in recent weeks without the benefit of a “visible, active campaigner.” She continued, “Bill is currently on active duty with the Army. That means he can’t campaign, he can’t direct campaign activities and simply can’t be a candidate. The ‘Russell Brigade’ is forming around Bill’s personal story and motivation for running. There’s something really special going on in this race.”

This week the campaign is also announcing the launch of www.RussellBrigade.com offering visitors the opportunity to pay tribute to their personal, military heroes and donate to the campaign. The website features an “enlistment” center for prospective volunteers, and requests “front porch campaign” hosts for Russell’s signature events.

Lt. Colonel Russell will resume campaigning on August 1st at 12:01am with a marathon, 48-hour campaign tour. Russell and his wife Kasia are survivors of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Pentagon. He has served in the U.S. Army for 28 years of Active and Reserve service, including six tours in hostile fire zones. His deployments include Operation Desert Storm, action in Kosovo and most recently Operation Iraqi Freedom.