Chasing down Rand Paul in Lexington to get first word of the Sarah Palin endorsement kept me from reviewing the FEC reports of the U.S. Senate campaigns in Kentucky.
Take a look at the Courier-Journal's Joe Gerth's article for a good overview of the campaign cash:
Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul grabbed the overall campaign fundraising lead in the GOP primary from Secretary of State Trey Grayson during the last quarter of 2009, according to reports filed with Federal Election Commission.
But Grayson still has more money on hand, spending slightly more than half of what Paul has spent during the early stages of his campaign, according to the reports.
In the Democratic primary, Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo reported that he raised more than $225,000 for the quarter, pushing the total for the campaign to nearly $1.5 million.
Attorney General Jack Conway declined to release his fundraising totals, saying through a campaign spokesman that he would allow them to become public when the FEC releases them.
From the Paul campaign:
Rand Paul has raised over $1.8 million dollars, including over $650,000 in the fourth quarter of 2009.
A Grayson news release also stressed he was leading in cash on hand:
Thanks to your support, we are still leading among Republican primary candidates in the campaign fundraising race, with more than $1.4 million cash on hand. Nancy and I are deeply grateful for your support and the hours of work you've put into our campaign.
While we are gaining momentum each day by earning more key endorsements, we still need your help
And the Daniel Mongiardo campaign (full news release below) is emphasizing that the campaign contributors matter as much as the campaign contributions.
Over the last six months of 2009, Conway has managed to outraise Mongiardo solely due to his out-of-state contributors. Over the same time period, Mongiardo has outraised Conway in Kentucky and has outraised Conway by more than 3 to 1 among small dollar contributors – a testament to Mongiardo’s growing grassroots appeal.
No other campaigns have contacted me with information or comments.
Mongiardo Raises Nearly $1.5 Million in 2009
Nearly $800,000 Cash-on-Hand
Over 90% of all Contributions from Kentucky
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FRANKFORT --- With over 90% of all contributions from Kentucky, Lt. Governor and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Daniel Mongiardo announced today he raised $1,472,000 from 3,638 contributors for the year ending December 31, 2009, with a cash-on-hand of $782,790.08.
“In these tough economic times, Daniel is greatly appreciative of the financial and grassroots support from thousands of Kentuckians who want a pro-growth, independent Senator whose top priority is creating jobs while helping struggling Kentucky families make ends meet,” said Mongiardo spokesman Kim Geveden.
“In contrast, for the past year, Jack Conway has consistently and repeatedly called himself the 'candidate of the National Democratic Party,' and, based on his out-of-state fundraisers in New York, Hollywood and Washington, D.C., there is no question that Jack Conway is the Washington establishment insider in this race,” said Geveden.
“We are very confident that Kentucky Democrats will support Daniel Mongiardo because Daniel is the only candidate in this race with a proven record of standing up to establishment insiders of both parties on behalf of working families,” said Geveden.
For the 4th Quarter, Mongiardo raised over $225,000 from 673 contributors, 92% of whom were from Kentucky.
Over the last six months of 2009, Conway has managed to outraise Mongiardo solely due to his out-of-state contributors. Over the same time period, Mongiardo has outraised Conway in Kentucky and has outraised Conway by more than 3 to 1 among small dollar contributors – a testament to Mongiardo’s growing grassroots appeal.
