Posted on 01/26/2004 10:07:33 AM PST by 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 arent 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 isnt 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, its nice to have a sizable bankroll against an incumbent, he said.
Youre running against a 12-year incumbent who, you know, is raising millions of dollars, he said. Youre going to have to compete with that.
Feingold has yet to file his financial reports. His campaign declined comment Saturday.
Welch didnt immediately return a message left at his home Saturday.
Wisconsin is one of the top 5 battleground states that Bush will target for takeover.
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