SuperPAC To Target Duffy In 2012 Election

On the same day last week that a national organization announced it is targeting 7th District U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy in the upcoming 2012 elections, Duffy released his fourth quarter fundraising totals.

Duffy has about $850,000 cash in hand, with $250,000 raised in the fourth quarter alone, and $1 million raised for the year 2011.

“We have focused on raising the resources necessary to get our message out, and fight back against the onslaught of attacks we know are coming,” Duffy said. “I'm honored to have the support of so many Wisconsinites and am looking forward to a spirited campaign in November.”

Duffy says unions, SuperPACs and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee are already spending money on negative advertising in the seventh district.

One of these SuperPAC efforts, Credo Mobile's CREDO SuperPAC Take Down the Tea Party Ten campaign, has announced that it is targeting Duffy in the upcoming election cycle.

The SuperPAC is financially backing, with multi-millions, 10 efforts in 10 different districts against legislators the organization calls “Tea Party Republicans.”

In particular, CREDO is focused on a complaint Duffy made last year about his $174,000 Congressional salary. Duffy has since said the emphasis on his statement was a move embroiled in partisan politics.

CREDO also mentions concerns about Duffy sponsoring anti-abortion bills in Congress.

Other targets of the Credo SuperPAC include Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH), Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN), Rep. Allen West (R-FL), Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), and Rep. Steve King (R-IA).

The SuperPAC will be opening field offices in each representative's district open field offices in each district, partnering with local constituents and organizers to lead voter mobilization and education campaigns.

Duffy says he's prepared for such an effort.

“We’re not going to give outside groups the control. We’re going to ensure we have the resources to communicate our positive message of job creation and lower spending. And when the attacks come, we’ll be ready,” Duffy said.