PURCELL: "BRING IT ON!"

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9th, 2009

Republican Congressional Candidate Urges Primary Opponents to “throw their best shots at me.”

BATAVIA -- While some politicians decry negative campaign attacks, one Republican running is actually urging his primary opponents to throw their best punches at him.

Local business owner, Jim Purcell, one of several Republicans seeking to topple Congressman Bill Foster next November, disagrees with GOP state chair Pat Brady that Republicans are hurt by negative ads in primaries.

“With all due respect, I disagree with Chairman Brady,” Purcell said at a news conference outside Congressman Foster’s office. “Bill Foster, Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama are going to spend millions and millions of dollars on Chicago TV tearing the lungs out of anyone who’s the GOP nominee for Congress in this district, and we’d better nominate a candidate who can take the punches.”

“I hope my opponents throw their best shots at me,” Purcell said. “Any candidate who can’t take punches from a fellow Republican will never survive when the Obama-Pelosi-Foster Smear Machine unloads on the air next Fall.”

Purcell said he was ready for the battle and welcomes a vigorous primary.

“I’m a big boy and I don’t need Chairman Brady looking out for me,” Purcell added. “There’s a lot at stake in our country and Republicans cannot afford to lose this seat once more. That means Republicans need to mix it up in the primary, get all the issues out and may the best candidate win because the Democrats aren’t giving this seat up without a fight.”

Purcell did point out the difference between a spirited debate or disagreement on issues and personal attacks. He said that, in the end, voters should be the ones to determine when candidates “cross the line.”

“A spirited primary is the way we condition our candidates and our party for the long battle ahead. I say, ‘Bring It On.'"