Russ Warner

U.S. Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas) voted for the failed $700 billion financial bailout package Monday, prompting attacks from Democratic challenger Russ Warner.

Warner's campaign pointed to a conflicting statement on Dreier's website, where the 13-term incumbent writes, "I believe we need to empower families to make sound economic choices and avoid taxpayer funded bailouts."

While the re-election campaign of U.S. Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas) has refused to publicly comment on Democratic challenger Russ Warner, it began to engage him with negative fliers starting last week, accusing the Rancho Cucamonga resident, the owner of a successful magazine distribution company, of bad business practices. The Warner campaign viewed the attacks as an encouraging sign that Dreier is taking them seriously.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has moved two California congressional races to their "Races to Watch" list, the first tier in the Red to Blue program, which supports competitive Democratic challengers in Republican districts across the nation. The new additions include Julie Bornstein (D-Palm Desert), who is looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Palm Springs) in the 26th Congressional District, and Russ Warner (D-Rancho Cucamonga), challenger to U.S. Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas) in the 26th Congressional District.

U.S. Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas)The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday on a new independent political groups' efforts to discredit U.S. Rep. David Dreier's (R-San Dimas) claims that he is a moderate Republican.

According to the Times, the group Courage Campaign has launched an Internet-based ad campaign linking Dreier to the policies of the largely unpopular Bush administation, calling Dreier a "Bush rubber stamp."

Dreier appears safe from any serious challenge in the upcoming Congressional elections; he has a serious fundraising advantage over his Democratic opponent, Russ Warner, and he's currently sitting for his 14th term.

In spite of that, the paper reports that Courage Campaign founder Rick Jacobs as saying that Dreier could be vulnerable to defeat.

Democrat Russ Warner, running for U.S. Congress in District 26, is taking aim at Republican opponent David Dreier Wednesday afternoon.

The Warner campaign, in a statement, points at Dreier for accepting $12,000 in contributions from the sub-prime lender Countrywide and then voting against a bill that would create an affordable housing fund.

“This is a clear example of what¹s wrong with Washington,” said Warner. “Even in the middle of a mortgage crisis, David Dreier is taking money from sub-prime lobbyists and then refusing to help those they prey upon. Everyone ­ except those in Washington ­ can see what¹s wrong with this picture.”

“Californians deserve better than government-by-lobbyists,” Warner said. “In Congress I¹ll vote to protect the people I represent, not special interests.”

Democrat Russ Warner, challenging Republican incumbent David Dreier in District 26, has raised about $100,000 in first quarter funds, campaign manager Kristin Points says.

“We have to raise a lot more money, we know that. But at this time we feel (fundraising) is going well,” Points says.

Warner raised $105,000 in the previous quarter, and has $220,000 on hand.