11:30 p.m. — VoteVets.org Congratulates Gabbard

VoteVets.org spent more than $317,000 on Tulsi Gabbard’s congressional campaign —  part of that special interest money that Mufi Hannemann cast aspersions on earlier tonight. The group congratulated her on her victory. 

“Tulsi Gabbard is just an amazing public servant, and it’s clear that voters in the district recognized that.  Her whole life has been about serving others – from people in Hawaii to her fellow soldiers in Iraq. She really is a different kind of leader,” Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran, and Chairman of VoteVets.org said in a statement. “We’re glad we were able to help spread her story, and help people learn about her and all she can offer the district.”

Here’s a breakdown of how the group spent its money:

TELEVISION ADS, $237,264:  Over the course of five weeks, VoteVets Action Fund continually aired this positive spot, to give greater exposure to Gabbard’s amazing story (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82hbkxix9ws).  It was the first independent expenditure in the race.  Prior to the spot airing, Gabbard had trailed in polls by 45 points.  After the ad aired, she pulled into a dead heat.

MAILERS, $74,563:  The group sent a total of four mailers to area constituents, laying out what Tulsi Gabbard would bring to the district as its Representative, as well as contrasting her priorities with Mufi Hannemann, her main opponent.

PHONE CALLS, $5,429:  VoteVets Action Fund used a combination of live calls and robo calls this past week, again to bolster the positive message of Gabbard’s story, and what she offered constituents.