National Journal: Breitbart’s Mike Flynn Fights for Seat in Congress

From National Journal:

Mike Flynn has published about a million and a half words on politics and policy. Now, he’s trying to put them into practice.

Last month, Flynn, an editor for the conservative Breitbart News, announced his bid for the special election to replace former Rep. Aaron Schock in Illinois. The former columnist and founding editor of the Big Government blog decided to make his first run for political office after the scandal-tarred Schock’s resignation, arguing that his role in the media prepared him for office.

“My position is long-known, established, and out there, and I think that’s something unique that voters get a chance to see,” Flynn said. “They’re not all going to agree with me on the issues all the time, but at least they’ll know where I stand and the reasons why I stand there.”

Flynn is trying to make a jump from pundit to politician with the help of some others in conservative media. RedState‘s Erick Erickson has endorsed him; so has the popular Ace of Spades blog. But he faces an uphill battle for Schock’s old seat. State Sen. Darin LaHood is the favorite in the July 7 primary, with nearly a million dollars raised for the campaign compared to about $70,000 for Flynn. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is helping LaHood, too, with supportive TV ads. And LaHood started out with an unusually well-known name for a state senator: His father, Ray LaHood, served in Congress before becoming President Obama’s first Transportation secretary.

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