Posted on 04/16/2004 9:37:07 AM PDT by robgop79
GOP rivals raise cash in race for U.S. House 6 Republicans in 7th District have over $100,000
7th District GOP race
Here's how much Republican candidates in the 7th Congressional District have on hand as of March 31, according to campaign finance records released Thursday: Rep. Gene DeRossett: $547,000 Former Rep. Paul DeWeese: $261,000 Attorney Brad Smith: $239,000 Rep. Clark Bisbee: $201,000 Former Sen. John Schwarz: $144,000 Former Rep. Tim Walberg: $102,000
By Chris Andrews Lansing State Journal
State Rep. Gene DeRossett has a substantial money advantage over Republican rivals in the 7th Congressional District race to succeed U.S. Rep. Nick Smith, according to campaign finance reports released Thursday.
The Manchester lawmaker had $547,000 on hand as of March 31 - more than twice as much as any other candidate, according to his report filed with the Federal Elections Commission. He has raised $327,000 and lent his campaign $451,000, enabling him to blanket the district with early television ads.
"We let voters know about my background and let them know that I am a strong, conservative, pro-Bush Republican," DeRossett said.
Former state Sen. John Schwarz of Battle Creek raised $162,000 during the first quarter of 2004, more than any other candidate for the period. Still, his $144,000 in cash on hand was less than that of four other candidates who started the race earlier and lent their campaigns money.
The race shows that all six Republicans have succeeded in building substantial war chests.
Smith, R-Addison, is retiring after 12 years.
The district includes Eaton, Jackson, Branch, Hillsdale and Lenawee counties and parts of Calhoun and Washtenaw counties.
Most analysts expect Republicans to have little trouble holding onto the seat.
The primary is Aug. 3.
Schwarz campaign consultant John Truscott said the momentum is clearly with Schwarz.
"Some of these guys have been in it for a year," Truscott said.
"He's just leaped ahead of everybody in terms of the fund-raising part of the campaign."
State Rep. Clark Bisbee of Jackson, who had $201,000 on hand, has lent his campaign $10,000.
Brad Smith, son of Nick Smith, had $239,000 in hand, in part because of $140,000 he lent the campaign.
"Unlike some of our opponents, we're saving it for July and not blowing it in April," said campaign manager Jason Brewer, referring to DeRossett's early television ads.
Former state Rep. Paul DeWeese of Eaton Rapids had $261,000 on hand, most of it thanks to his $240,000 loan to the campaign.
Former Rep. Tim Walberg of Tipton, who had $102,000, questioned whether the other candidates were really going to spend their own money or were making the loans as a show of strength.
"What we have indicates we can raise the money that's necessary," Walberg said.
"The key comes in the kind of endorsements we will achieve."
Two Democrats, former University of Michigan paralegal Sharon Renier and consultant Drew Walker, are running for the seat but had not filed campaign finance reports as of Thursday afternoon.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact Chris Andrews at 377-1054 or candrews@lsj.com.
Smith was a factor for a short period of time while his dad's "bribe" scandal made news, but people have seen through that as a ploy.
The gun groups (MCRGO, Nugent) are lining up behind DeRossett. He's right on the issue and has the resources to take Schwarz HEAD ON.
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