One of the Republicans who joined a failed coup plot against House Speaker John Boehner has tapped the Tea Party for financial help, warning that GOP leaders will "punish me" and "attack my family."
Kansas Rep. Tim Huelskamp, who voted for Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan instead of Boehner for speaker last week, also said in an email distributed by the Tea Party.net that he plans to continue his battle against House leaders, a move GOP aides said will result in him further losing influence in the House.
"Thursday, I took the bold step of voting against John Boehner for speaker of the House. After two years of establishment leadership, I believed it was time for someone who would fight for our conservative principles," Huelskamp wrote.
"But voting against a sitting speaker of the House was a great risk. They will punish me. They will attack my family. But America is too important to be lost to overspending, high taxes, and big government. I refuse to stand by and allow our country to be destroyed," added the lawmaker who lost key committee assignments when he challenged House leaders before.
The attempted coup followed Boehner's negotiations with President Obama on the "fiscal cliff" deal, which eventually passed even though it included tax increases. Huelskamp's email features a picture of Obama and Boehner. "I'm tired of Republicans who compromise with Obama - and actually help pass tax increases with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid," he wrote in what one leadership advisor called a "hard core" email, and another "stupid."
Below is the text of his email:
Fellow Conservative,
Thursday, I took the bold step of voting against John Boehner for Speaker of the House. After two years of establishment leadership, I believed it was time for someone who would fight for our conservative principles.
And trust me, it wasn't easy. The moderate wing of the Republican party was outraged - and they were swiftly retaliating against conservatives like me. But I will not be intimidated.
Like you, I'm tired of Republicans who compromise with Obama - and actually help pass tax increases with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. Who let a trillion-dollar ObamaCare tax increase quietly take effect just a few days.
But voting against a sitting Speaker of the House was a great risk. They will punish me. They will attack my family. But America is too important to be lost to overspending, high taxes, and big government. I refuse to stand by and allow our country to be destroyed.
For my principled vote, Washington insiders are coming after me. I need your help and the help of 100 fellow conservatives immediately. If you are tired of Republicans who campaign as conservatives - but vote like Democrats - stand with me and make your contribution of $35 here: Donate Now.
We can win this battle by standing together. Like you, millions of Americans from around our country are angry with the direction of the Congress under Speaker Boehner.
Republicans must not settle for weak leadership. Only a strong conservative Republican Party can stop the worst of Obama's policies and turn our nation around.
Thank you for standing with me with your emergency contribution here: Donate Now
In Liberty,
Congressman Tim Huelskamp
P.S. Washington has a spending problem. A taxing problem. And a debt problem. We can wait no longer to save our nation. Please stand with me against the DC Establishment by making your most generous contribution today. Together we can save the American dream!
