Skelton has based his re-election campaign on his support for military troops and veterans and has questioned Hartzler's commitment to them in TV ads.
"He has emphasized how important the military is and his accomplishments, and I wanted as well to let them know my commitment to the military and representing them in Congress," Hartzler said.
Skelton questioned whether Boehner could follow through on his promise.
"The armed services committee now is a prime committee — people want on it, both Democrats and Republicans — and sometimes, when there is vacancy, people stand in line," Skelton said.
In south Georgia, Boehner's tactic targets Bishop, who calls himself "The Peanut Congressman" to tout his support for the district's signature crop. He sits on an agriculture subcommittee of the House Appropriation Committee, which doles out tax dollars that Bishop describes as American pie.
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"I'm in a position not only to have a seat at the table, but to help slice that pie into portions worthy of the needs of the people of the 2nd Congressional District," he said at a recent debate.
But Boehner's strategy is helping Keown make that promise too.
"We need to make sure we have someone on the agriculture committee who will support the farming community," Keown said.
Local residents like Isaiah Thomas, 68, a Bishop supporter who talks politics with his farming friends, have noted the offer.
"There are a whole lot of folks thinking about it," he said.
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