It is official, Eric England has now filed to run against John Doolittle in next June’s primary election.  SacBee:

Egland is the first to flatly declare for the Republican primary. Auburn City Councilman Mike Holmes also is exploring a primary run for Doolittle’s seat, and he said Monday he is moving closer to entering the race.

Doolittle’s campaign consultant, Richard Temple, said the congressman is not worried, and welcomed the competition.

“In this case, the more candidates the better,” said Temple. He said that because the congressman has a strong base of support, multiple opponents will only divide the disenchanted.

“Neither of them can beat him,” Temple said.

Temple right, if both of these guys get into the race, it will split the opposition, but by how much?  It depends on the relative strength of the candidates.  Right now the NRCC is staying out of it.  They are “keeing a close eye on it” and hoping that it “turns out OK for John.”

England is a political neophyte.  He campaigned for Doolittle last year, siding strongly with him on Iraq.  He believes that Doolittle would lose to our man Charlie Brown in the general election.  No word of any outside groups getting involved in this primary fight yet.  Speaking of Charlie Brown, he will be at Yearly Kos and attending the CA Caucus.  And Charlie Parties, have you heard about those?

For those in Northern California, Charlie is starting his own version of house party fundraising.  Rather than having them all on one night and calling in to them, he is going to each of them on a different night.  He is hoping to have 40 of them by September 30th.  There are 8 scheduled thus far.  Here is the info, if you are interested in hosting one.