Sweepstakes-style congressional campaigning

Here is something you don’t see every day: Kansas state Sen. Dick Kelsey (R), who is running for Rep. Todd Tiahrt’s (R) seat, is luring people to his campaign website with a sweepstakes for a free family vacation.

On Kelsey’s campaign website and in Internet advertisements, Kelsey touts the opportunity to “Win a Family Vacation” by joining his “2010 Club.” One doesn’t have to contribute any money to be entered in the contest and the winner will be given a four day trip at Kelsey’s home in Beaver Lake, Ark.

Kelsey told the BBR that the idea for the sweepstakes and has no idea if it will work. “Frankly it was my idea, I don’t know yet if it was a good idea or not,” he said. “It may not be, we’re trying it out.”

The state senator said they are trying to figure out a way to drive traffic to his website. He also said his attorneys signed off on the sweepstakes and he will list it as an in-kind contribution on the campaign finance forms.

“We’re trying to figure this Internet campaigning out,” he said.

Not everyone in the Sunflower State is particularly impressed, though. “He