Posted on 04/16/2002 2:59:23 PM PDT by rmmcdaniell
HELENA - Democratic U.S. Sen. Max Baucus has raised $4.58 million in campaign funds so far, already topping his 1996 campaign total, while his two main Republican challengers continue to lag far behind in the money race.
And in the U.S. race, Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., has collected $748,828 so far in his attempt at a second term, while his Democratic opponents have not yet filed campaign reports.
Baucus, seeking his fifth term in the Senate, collected $820,072 for the past three months and spent $730,630 for the period and $2.28 million so far. His cash balance on March 30 was $2.27 million.
Of the total money raised by Baucus, $2.2 million, including $295,851 this period, has come from special interest political action committees or PACs for 48 percent of his total. Baucus is chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, which oversees taxes, Social Security, Medicare and trade matters.
State Sen. Mike Taylor, R-Proctor, reported raising $700,124 through March 30, including $34,040 the past three months, through March 30, He has spent $282,936 and has $417,174 left in the bank. He has received no PAC money in the campaign.
Taylor has put $551,200 in donations and loans into his campaign or 78.7 percent of his total receipts. He didn't dump any of his own money into the campaign the past three months.
Another Republican, Brad Johnson of Bozeman, has raised $43,450 in his Senate bid so far, including $15,250 this period. He has spent $29,089 to leave a cash balance of $14,361 as of March 30. Johnson has put $41,000 in personal loans into his own campaigns to account for 94 percent of his funds, including $14,000 this period.
The others Senate candidates didn't file campaign finance reports. Reports aren't required unless a candidate has collected at least $5,000.
In the House race, Rehberg collected $121,937 this period to boost his total to $748,828. So far, he has spent $493,736, including $88,127 the past three months, to leave a cash balance of $255,092.
Rehberg has received $307,584 or 41 percent from PACs.
The bad news for Baucus is last year 55% of the voters in one poll were considering replacing him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.