Wake up the echoes…
Yesterday, the Orlando Sentinel reported that famed Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz (R) met with NRCC officials to discuss a potential run for Congress against Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D). The moderate 24th district is a good pick-up shot for the GOP. If he runs, Holtz’s name identification will make him a strong primary and general election contender.
Holtz would join an already-crowded GOP primary field that includes two state legislators and a Winter Park city commissioner. Still, the prospect of Holtz getting in has Republicans buzzing about his fundraising ability and aura of celebrity.
“You put him in the ring and it’s all but over,” said John Dowless, an Orlando-based Republican consultant. “He’s on TV, he’s likable, the name ID is huge and people respect him enormously.”
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“He has a Rolodex that people would dream of; people are going to flock to him,” Dowless said.
Holtz is far from the first person to try to translate sports success into a political victory. If he runs, this will be an interesting race. As an alumnus of Notre Dame, I’ll be providing regular updates.