[November 20, 2009] Hedrick selling to raise cash: Candidate for Baird's seat offers products through Web store Tweet Nov 20, 2009 (The Columbian - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Camas ex-Marine David Hedrick is raising money for a congressional campaign against U.S. Rep. Brian Baird by selling products from an Internet "store" linked to his campaign Web site. Hedrick formally announced his candidacy Oct. 23 on the Victoria Taft Show on radio station KPAM. He has been traveling the country promoting his candidacy at Tea Party events from Portland to Washington, D.C. On Nov. 11, he spoke at a campaign rally for a Florida congressional candidate. The self-employed accountant has yet to notify the Federal Election Commission of his candidacy. By law, candidates for the U.S. House, Senate and President must file a statement of candidacy with the FEC once they receive or spend in excess of $5,000. Hedrick's online store features infant clothing, bibs, refrigerator magnets, tote bags, coffee mugs and more bearing the words "Stay away from my kids." Hedrick uttered the warning at Baird's Aug. 18 Clark County town hall meeting on health care reform. That among other comments made him an instant conservative media celebrity. Hedrick said later the remark was prompted by his understanding that Congress was considering covering advice to parents on how to toilet-train their children. In fact, one version of a House bill under discussion last summer included language providing grants to states to cover voluntary home visits for expectant parents and parents with young children. Some of Hedrick's products, including a coffee mug, are embossed with a YouTube video image of Baird and Hedrick together at the town hall that has received more than a million hits. The image itself, taken from a columbian.com multimedia piece, is featured on his campaign Web site. Until late last week, Hedrick's "store" also was selling tote bags and other products bearing the U.S. Marine Corps logo. After the Marine Corps Trademark and Licensing Office was made aware of the unlicensed use of its logo, those products were removed. The store site is hosted by Zazzle, an online retailer that allows users to upload images and create their own merchandise. Hedrick also provides a place on the site where supporters can contribute to his campaign through PayPal. He asks contributors to note their employer and occupation to comply with Federal Election Commission rules. Hedrick did not respond to e-mail and phone requests for information about the status of his fundraising effort and his campaign. To see more of The Columbian, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.columbian.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]