For Republicans, winning in District 17 is widely regarded as an uphill battle.

The district, which includes Rockville, Gaithersburg and Garrett Park, is known as a notably blue district in a notably blue county. To have any hope of winning, local political observers say, a Republican challenger must raise significant funds, have a moderate agenda and do a lot of footwork, literally.

"You have to win over the Democrats to win, you can't just win with the Republicans," said Gail Ewing, a former County Council member and political science instructor at Montgomery College who writes a column for The Gazette of Politics and Business. "They really have to work hard to get out to the voters and go door to door."

The last Republican elected to state office in District 17 was Luiz R.S. Simmons, now a Democrat, in 1979. Daniel Campos, 22, of Gaithersburg hopes to be the next.

He raised more money — $17,865 — than any District 17 Republican House candidate in 10 years.

Moderate by any measure and liberal by others, Campos supports gay marriage, immigrant rights and is pro-choice.

"I believe in the big tent," Campos said. "I just also happen to believe in being fiscally responsible."

Campos' campaign manager is Tricia Donnelly, who got involved in politics at age 11, handing out literature for former U.S. Rep. Charles McC. "Mac" Mathias Jr., and also ran and worked on campaigns for former U.S. Rep. Constance Morella. Morella, a moderate Republican, held Maryland's 8th Congressional District seat, now held by U.S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen, from 1987 to 2003. She was also a state delegate for three terms in District 16.

"It is one of the bluest legislative districts in Montgomery County. We know what we are up against," Donnelly said. "You know what they said about Connie in (19)86. ‘Who does she think she is? The registration is 2-1 in (the Democrats') favor,' but she won anyway."

That happened because she got out and talked to people, Donnelly said. That is something she and Campos say he is doing furiously. They claim Campos has knocked on 25,000 doors.

"Dan was knocking on doors when it was really hot outside," Donnelly said. "People would have him in and give him a drink of water. He met a lot of people sweating to death."

Cheryl Kagan, who recently lost a battle for the Democratic nomination for state senator in District 17, spent months knocking on doors in her race and said Campos had already been to some of the places she went.

"I don't know if that's enough against three incumbents, but he sure is making a great effort," said Kagan, who served two terms in the House in District 17. "The challenger doesn't need to match the incumbents dollar for dollar, but needs enough money to get on a potential voter's radar."

Campos and fellow Republicans Craig Frick and Josephine Wang will face incumbent Democrats Kumar Barve, James Gilchrist and Simmons in the Nov. 2 general election. Barve, Gilchrist and Simmons arguably have more name recognition than the Republicans.

Frick, a self-employed tax consultant, has no previous political experience and raised less than $1,000 in this race.

Wang, a former full-time and current substitute schoolteacher who ran unsuccessfully for office in District 17 in 2002 and 2006, is a member of the Republican Central Committee and raised about $600 in this race.

Campos has not formed a slate with Frick and Wang.

Kagan said the money a challenger collects serves as a "threshold of credibility" with voters showing the candidate's viability. The other thing money helps is in direct mail, she said. Campos spent a bulk of his funding, $9,497, on mail.

"The dynamics in a three-way race are different," Kagan said. "Everyone has to say, ‘Just save one for me.' That's a pretty easy message, but you have to get name recognition."

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