Charlie Wheelan is a lecturer in public policy at the University of Chicago and a first-time candidate, running to replace Rahm Emanuel in Illinois' 5th Congressional District.  He's an economics expert and the author of Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science and the former Midwest correspondent for The Economist magazine. North Woods' creative and attention-getting work for Wheelan has catapulted him to among the frontrunners in the race.

For more information:

Chicago Tribune: "Candidate takes campaign underwater"

Alan Grayson was able to defeat the DCCC-endorsed candidate in the primary and go on to win as a Democrat in this Republican district because of work like this and strong support in the progressive blogosphere.

For more information:

Huffington Post: "Obama Needs To Hire Grayson's Ad Agency"