AGAINST ALL ODDS: A book every candidate should read

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Paul Chabot, the 2014 Republican Nominee describes the fight for California's 31st Congressional District. Against all odds, Team Chabot nearly pulled off the victory. This book highlights the level of attack brought against Chabot by his opponent, the Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee and other special interests.

Republican Nominee Paul Chabot won among high propensity voters but lost among lower propensity voters who Chabot could not afford to communicate with on his own. Without any Republican Party support or outside spending, the DCCC , Democrat Nominee Aguilar, and progressive special interests spent heavily on those voting blocks. They utilized a wide array of negative media to demonize Chabot that included: TV, radio, mailers, robo-calls, and websites. Furthermore, most of their messages could not be challenged by Chabot with his limited funding.

California’s 31st Congressional District was considered a probable Democrat pickup after the announcement of the retirement of Gary Miller . Miller won the seat after redistricting in 2012, in a match-up that included two Republicans- which left Pete Aguilar in third place and out of the 2012 General Election.

In a close primary, history almost repeated itself with Aguilar narrowly taking second place, with just 200 votes over third place finisher Republican Lesli Gooch. In addition to Aguilar, three Democrats and three Republicans announced they would run in the Primary. Chabot placed first, 10-points above Aguilar despite being outspent 11 to 1. Because of Chabot’s strong showing, his campaign expected strong National Republican Party support, which never materialized. Without his party’s support, many donors and most Republican-friendly PAC’s followed suit and allocated their resources into other California races that were regarded as favorable pick-ups.

“In many close election contests, candidates run to the middle. Not Paul Chabot.” Los Angeles Times – 10/16/14

“Aguilar had trouble putting away Chabot, even though he received strong financial backing from Democratic groups nationally while Chabot was left to campaign on his own.” Associated Press – 11/7/14