[img_assist|nid=697|title=Corley Everett (R-Louisville), at left, endorses Chris Thieneman (R-Louisville)|desc=Politicker Photo|link=none|url=undefined|align=left|width=420|height=288]

LOUISVILLE -- As an opponent becomes a former opponent, developer and 3rd U.S. House district candidate Chris Thieneman (R-Louisville) says he hopes today's endorsement from property manager Corley Everett (R-Louisville) will push him over the top in tomorrow's Republican primary.

"The momentum continues to flow in our direction," said Thieneman today. "The votes [Everett] brings just may be the amount we need tomorrow."

Everett, after several days of indecision, announced he would quit the 3rd District race and endorse Thieneman after hearing his former opponent debate fellow candidate and former Congresswoman Anne Northup on a radio program yesterday.

Everett said he was also struck by the record-breaking crowd at a rally for Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in Oregon yesterday, claiming it was a sign of the strength Democrats would be wielding a strong ticket in the general election.

"This could be a cataclysmic election. If we don't turn towards a new leader, we will surely lose in November," said Everett. "Chris Thieneman is the best choice for the Republican Party."

"I welcome your support and thank you tremendously," said Thieneman to Everett.

Thieneman also claimed recent special Congressional election results - such as the GOP's loss of a seat it held for 14 years in Mississippi last week - indicated "elitist Republican" candidates would suffer against Democrats.

"People are tired of the Bush solution," said Thieneman. "We need change because change can do us good."

Whether Everett's endorsement will have any real impact on the race is hard to say. The only public poll conducted on the race showed Everett with one percent support among respondents. Thieneman grabbed 11 percent support, though his candidacy was dormant at the time of the poll. He only recently revived his bid for the GOP's nomination in late April and has since been distributing mailers and running television advertisements in the district.

In the same poll, Northup drew 79 percent support, while UPS employee and candidate Bob Devore received 3 percent support.

Thieneman said his campaign had "straw polls" and other indicators that showed the gap was narrowing.

"We are standing here today because we know we have a dog in the fight," said Thieneman.

He also pointed to the campaign he led against the so-called "library tax" last year as an example of how large poll margins can be overcome.

"When we started that campaign, we were down 70 to 30. We caught up...and we thumped them, 60 to 40," said Thieneman. "We are looking at this campaign as a similar situation."

UPDATE, 1:45pm: A spokesman from Thieneman's campaign said they have no specific polls that show their candidate is closing the gap with Northup, but instead point to the amount of phone calls they have received and the "enthusiasm" the campaign has encountered in recent weeks.

Thieneman also referenced the television advertisements both his campaign and Northup's were running as a sign his candidacy was being taken seriously.