Jaime Herrera today launched her first TV ad, “Trust,” in her campaign for Southwest Washington’s open 3rd Congressional District seat.

Herrera, the race’s leading Republican, is running to change the government-first policies of Congress and start trusting the American people again.  As a State Representative from Southwest Washington, she has witnessed the disastrous results of reckless overspending and government growth at the state level by the majority party.  Southwest Washington has some of the highest unemployment in the nation.  Now, the national tide is turning, and Jaime is part of the next generation of leadership ready to rein in the deficit, restore jobs and pass market-oriented health care solutions that actually increase access and affordability.

“Look what the folks in DC are doing: spending out-of-control, piling up mountains of debt.  It’s killing jobs and making the crisis worse,” said Herrera.  “I have a revolutionary idea – let’s trust people.  Entrepreneurs, small business owners and families will lead us back to prosperity – not someone in a D.C. central government planning office funded with taxpayer dollars.”

You can view Jaime Herrera’s new ad here.

Jaime Herrera announced today that she received the endorsement of the Washington State Farm Bureau PAC in her campaign for Southwest Washington’s 3^rd Congressional District.  The Washington State Farm Bureau is the largest trade organization in the state, representing thousands of farm and ranch families and businesses.

Herrera earned her record of supporting Farm Bureau issues as a State Representative, scoring a 100% Farm Bureau voting record two out of her three sessions and a 91% in 2010.

“Jaime’s a proven partner and leader, and that’s what we need in our next Member of Congress,” said Bob Stuhlmiller, Chair of the Washington State Farm Bureau PAC.  “She’s helped us address the critical issues family farms need to survive and thrive.  Even when she’s back in DC, she’s shown us she’ll be voting with those on the farms back here in Washington state.”

“Our farm and ranch community are made up of business owners, many small- and medium-sized, and we need leaders like Jaime to help them,” said Gary Boldt, President of Clark-Cowlitz County Farm Bureau.

“The Farm Bureau and I have promoted the same issues – lower taxes and government spending, business competitiveness – that offer a blueprint for the direction Congress needs to take to get us back on track,” said Herrera.  “This is a tremendous endorsement in my campaign to restore and protect jobs in Southwest Washington.”

Democratic leaders of Congress will announce today that, for the first time since the Congressional Budget Act was passed in 1974, the House won't pass an annual budget resolution.  Though their region suffers one of the highest jobless rates in the country, Southwest Washingtonians have no way of knowing how much their leaders in Congress will continue adding to the job-killing federal deficit – or raise their taxes to pay for it.

“By refusing to pass a budget, Congress is authorizing unlimited spending,” said Jaime Herrera.  “Meanwhile, our friends, neighbors, parents and siblings have gone months without work and we’re whittling our own budgets down to the penny.  No wonder folks talk about a disconnect from their elected leaders.  This Administration and Congress have been spending like mad trying to respond to our economic crisis, not realizing that spending itself is the crisis.

“This is exactly why I support a Constitutional Balanced Budget Amendment, and have made controlling spending an important part of my campaign.  It’s the most daunting issue we face today, and our livelihoods and future depend on it.”

Economists, experts and business leaders have warned Washington, DC to curb its spending.  Earlier this month, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke urged Congress to develop a plan to manage the nation’s debt because spending “appears to be on an unsustainable path.”  Instead, Congress is making history by shirking one of its most basic responsibilities of governance, and jeopardizing economic recovery and potential job growth with its maneuver.

Jaime Herrera announced today that she received the endorsement of the Wahkiakum County Republican party in her campaign to replace retiring Brian Baird for Congress in Southwest Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.

Last night, grassroots individuals from the Wahkiakum County GOP voted to support Herrera’s candidacy during their central committee meeting.  Wahkiakum became the third county Republican organization to endorse Herrera, adding to a list that includes the Pacific and Cowlitz County parties.  She remains the only Republican candidate to have earned endorsements from county grassroots GOP organizations.

“This citizens’ movement to bring fresh leadership to Congress and restore jobs to Southwest Washington continues to grow,” said Herrera.  “The only way to win this election is by having grassroots individuals throughout this region get on board.  I’m honored by this endorsement.”