Rep. Tomei Uses "Shut Your Mouth" Moment To Raise Cash

Capitol Currents:

A Democratic state representative who was unceremoniously told to shut up by another lawmaker during a floor debate is turning the awkward moment into a fundraising pitch. After Republican Wayne Krieger's outburst, Carolyn Tomei protested to the House presiding officers and penned an op-ed in the Oregonian. This week, she sent out a fundraising email with the subject line: "CAROLYN TOMEI will never SHUT HER MOUTH when standing up for YOU!"Tomei writes:Shut your mouth!Imagine my shock as I spoke on the Floor of the Oregon House of Representatives and was told —for the first time in my life —“shut your mouth” by a male Republican legislator on the House Floor. The loss of civility in our state only compounds the difficulties we face in recovering from this economic recession. And that kind of behavior must stop now.I am a legislator representing the people of Oregon.  I have a voice, and I will not be silent because someone does not want to hear what I have to say.  I speak for you.  I speak for the people of Oregon. I speak formyself. And I will never shut my mouth.Tomei then includes a link to a page where people can donate money to her campaign. It's not clear how much she'll need the cash. She faces no opposition in the Democratic primary this May. And the two Republicans vying for the right to challenge her in the general election have less than $1000 in their campaign war chests combined. (One, Sam Cantrell, has less than $20 cash on hand. Among his assets are several 5 cent "in-kind contributions.") In 2010, Tomei garnered more than 75% of the vote in her suburban Milwaukie district.

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