Darrow has $1.38M for Senate bid (Battle Against Feingold)

The Post Crescent ^ | Jan. 25, 2004 | Todd Richmond

[Pubbie]

MADISON — Millionaire car salesman Russ Darrow raised $1.38 million last year for his U.S. Senate bid, including $475,000 in the fourth quarter alone, according to campaign finance reports Darrow released Saturday.

Darrow received a total of $442,257 in contributions from individuals between October and the end of the year, according to the reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

He took $20,000 from political action committees and gave himself $12,843. He had $1.12 million in the bank at the end of the year.

Darrow is one of a trio of Republican candidates vying to challenge incumbent Democrat Russ Feingold in November. He faces fellow millionaire Tim Michels, part-owner and vice president of Michels Corp., a utility construction company, and state Sen. Bob Welch, R-Redgranite, in the GOP primary.

Michels and Darrow have been locked in a major-league money hunt.

Fourth-quarter reports aren’t due until Jan. 31, but Michels’ campaign issued an estimate earlier this month, saying he raised $1.05 million, including $500,000 he gave himself.

Including the fourth quarter, Darrow loaned himself $468,348 last year, his reports show.

Darrow campaign manager Eric Schutt said Darrow isn’t worried about Michels’ money.

“Our goal, our focus is Russ Feingold,” Schutt said. “The more resources you have, the better chance you have at communicating your message efficiently and effectively.”

Michels campaign manager Cullen Sheehan said the race will turn on issues, not money. Still, it’s nice to have a sizable bankroll against an incumbent, he said.

“You’re running against a 12-year incumbent who, you know, is raising millions of dollars,” he said. “You’re going to have to compete with that.”

Feingold has yet to file his financial reports. His campaign declined comment Saturday.

Welch didn’t immediately return a message left at his home Saturday.

[Pubbie]

Actually the GOPer that wins the primary won't have such a monetary disadvantage against Feingold because Bush is going to barrage Wisconsin with ads.

Wisconsin is one of the top 5 battleground states that Bush will target for takeover.

[Pubbie]

First you get the money...

[joesnuffy]

Good....Darrow.. looks like a good place to buy our next car or truck from...

[Impy]

I think Wisconsin is starting to trend our way like neighboring Minnesota.

[Pubbie]

Yep, Bush only lost WI by 5,000 votes, and he is certain to carry it this time.

[1Old Pro]

60, that's the magic number.

[jagrmeister]

Money needs to be conserved in the contest against Feingold, who once again will likely run a bare-bones campaign. Someone needs to put their ego aside, consolidate the funds and beat Feingold. This would be a major pickup.

[Roby]

Agreed. Feingold canbe beat, only one of those candidates can go toe to toe with him on the issues and expose him for what he is. Check out www.votewelch.com