Boswell, Fallon face off in high-profile 3rd District race

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

(A.P.)

By MIKE GLOVER, AP Political Writer

Ed Fallon has never been shy about challenging Democratic orthodoxy, and he's finding the party's establishment closing ranks tightly to fend off his upstart challenge to veteran incumbent U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell.

"The political establishment attacks a candidate on his strength," said Fallon, 50, of Des Moines. "My strength is my commitment to issues."

In fact, Boswell's campaign has launched a blizzard of assaults on Fallon, raising questions about his loyalty to the party, his use of advocacy groups that he's formed and the financing of his campaign.

Virtually every elected Democrat in the state has endorsed Boswell, and he's far outpaced Fallon in campaign money. The race for the Democratic nomination in central Iowa's 3rd District is clearly the hottest contest on the ballot in the June 3 primary.

Boswell, 74, was a southern Iowa farmer when he was elected to Congress, but he moved to Des Moines after the last reapportionment tossed him into an overwhelmingly Republican western Iowa district. Although he's seeking his seventh term in office, it's his first contested Democratic primary since his election.

Fallon, 50, was in the state Legislature for 14 years -- ousting an incumbent Democrat to get there -- before stepping down to make a bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2006. Though he lost that race, Fallon carried the 3rd District in the primary, largely through a well-organized, urban network of community activists.

He's championed land-use and community development issues, both in the Legislature and since leaving.

He argued that Boswell is out of step with the urban-leaning district that includes Des Moines, and is far too conservative

Boswell has fought back hard, hammering Fallon on party loyalty. He has blanketed the district with mailings reminding Democrats that Fallon endorsed Ralph Nader in the bitterly fought 2000 presidential election, in which President Bush was narrowly elected over Democrat Al Gore. Many Democrats blame Nader's presence on the ballot for Gore's loss.

In addition, Boswell has claimed that Fallon considered running for governor as an independent after losing the 2006 primary.

"Ed Fallon's thinking about running as an independent as well as his support for Nader shows he doesn't hold Democratic principles," said Boswell spokesman Mark Daley.

Fallon has fought back, saying he long ago apologized for supporting Nader, a step he says he took only after Gore picked Joe Lieberman as his running mate. Lieberman has since left the Democratic Party and has campaigned for Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

Fallon also denies he pondered running as an independent for governor in 2006, though aides told state campaign finance regulators at the time he was considering the step. Fallon said he'll be a loyal Democrat if Boswell wins the primary.

"If I do not win this primary for Congress, I will not run as an independent," said Fallon. "I will support Congressman Boswell."

Financially, the primary hasn't been close. The latest Federal Election Commission filing showed Boswell had raised $982,605, and had $840,945 in the bank. Fallon had raised $171,619, with $19,734 in the bank. He also reported debt of $17,000.

Fallon said the financing underscores the differences, because he won't take political action committee money, while more than $650,000 of Boswell's money comes from PACs.

Boswell was a helicopter pilot in the Army, serving two tours in Vietnam before retiring after 20 years. He's a member of a "blue dog" group of Democrats in the House, fiscal conservatives who express concern about soaring budget deficits.

Fallon said he's been frustrated because Boswell won't engage him directly, with most of the attacks coming from surrogates or in the mail. Boswell has rejected invitations to debate Fallon, even though 10 media outlets and other organizations have offered to sponsor such debates. Fallon has accepted all 10, but Boswell has declined, citing the press of business in Congress.

"I believe 10 invitations reflect a clear mandate from the voters that they want a chance to see and hear from Congressman Boswell and me," said Fallon.

Fallon is betting on a relatively light primary turnout that would enhance the clout of his tightly organized network of backers.

The winner of the Boswell-Fallon matchup will be in good position for the November general election. According to state election records, the 12-county congressional district has 152,362 registered Democrats and 119,483 registered Republicans. Another 126,090 voters have registered without declaring a party preference.

Veteran Republican activist Kim Schmett is unopposed for the GOP nomination. Schmett, 55, headed the Department of Inspection and Appeals under former Gov. Terry Branstad and was chief of staff for former U.S. Rep. Greg Ganske.