Zeno, I must correct some of your assumptions. Largest of them is that Noreen did NOT come back with some sort of "war chest". She actually came home with some debt. She immediately resumed her law practice in order to support herself. (No pensions for state legislators no matter how long they have worked there.) oh and I don't think Lynda has any shortage of funds based on two full color mailings and so many signs of all sizes all over the district.
I'm not sure what you refer to as the "democratic machine" but the Bosco-koenigshofer machine is behind Lynda and I do believe they still call themselves Democrats.
I'm rather surprised that you are discounting Noreen's impressive track record at backing and fighting for the causes so important to us here in the fifth district. Marty