Kerr tops Chandler in early fund-raising (double!) [KY-06 Special Election]

Lexington Herald-Leader ^ | February 7, 2004 | Ryan Alessi

[Republican Wildcat]

Buoyed by a national GOP fund-raising drive, Republican congressional candidate Alice Forgy Kerr more than doubled what Democrat Ben Chandler accrued through the first six weeks of the campaign, according to federal campaign finance reports.

Kerr's campaign, which began collecting money about a month before Chandler's did, entered February with about half a million dollars still to spend after raising more than $1 million since mid-November, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

Chandler had raised about $450,000 as of Jan. 28 and had roughly $100,000 in the bank, said his report, which was released yesterday.

Officials from both campaigns claimed that each candidate has raised an additional $200,000 from roughly 700 donors since Jan. 28.

Money has remained crucial in Chandler's and Kerr's ad-driven campaigns for the 6th Congressional District seat, which represents 14 Central Kentucky counties and parts of two more. The two face off in a Feb. 17 special election to replace Gov. Ernie Fletcher in Washington.

Overall, more than half of Kerr's $1 million in funds has come from national political action committees and Republican groups or committees.

Kerr received a $188,200 push from a special account the National Republican Congressional Committee established for the 6th district's GOP nominee and transferred to Kerr in early January.

Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Somerset, spearheaded that fund-raising effort, which included contributions from 99 of the 229 Republican House members' campaign committees. Seven others donated directly to Kerr's campaign.

Committees representing corporations and industries accounted for more than $350,000 of Kerr's campaign tally. Kentucky-based PACs supporting her include Brown and Williamson Tobacco, Churchill Downs Inc., Louis-ville Gas and Electric Energy Corp., Kindred Healthcare Inc., the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, and the committee for Lexington law firm Stoll, Keenon and Park.

Similarly, Chandler collected about half his war chest from PACs and other Demo-crats' committees -- roughly $220,000. He received donations from 39 of the 209 Democratic representatives' campaign committees. The Demo-cratic Congressional Campaign Committee also collected $14,000 on Chandler's behalf.

Most of the political action committees that contributed to Chandler were labor unions. Committees with Kentucky ties included the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers of Louisville, several local pipefitter unions, and the committee for the Frankfort branch of the United Steelworkers Union.

As of Jan. 28, Chandler had spent $260,000 on airtime for his commercials, while Kerr had shelled out $432,000. National Republican and Demo-cratic party groups also have run ads on behalf of the candidates.

[Republican Wildcat]

Kerr for Congress, Feb. 17, 2004 Special Election

[Republican Wildcat]

Going into the final stretch.

[Pubbie]

Go Fergy Go!

[Kuksool]

Is KY a right to work state?

[Republican Wildcat]

No, unfortunately. Hopefully we can take control of the State House and get that passed within the next couple of years.

[skinkinthegrass]

thanks for the update.

[windchime]

Almost nail-biting time! Go Kerr!

[MountainPatriot]

No, unfortunately, we're about the only Southern state that's not...maybe we can change that.

[MeekOneGOP]

Go, go, go !! Kerr !!

[Kuksool]

Unions have a strong presence in Louisville and Eastern KY. How strong are the unions in Lexington?

[Republican Wildcat]

Republicans can and do carry Lexington, so I would say it is considerably less pronounced than the areas you cited.

If any county in this district is a big labor area I would say it was Franklin County with all of the State employees.

[Republican Wildcat]

That 64-36 problem in one branch of the legislature is what stands in the way.

[Republican Wildcat]

bttt

[Clintonfatigued]

This is good news. GO ALICE GO!

[CourtneyLeigh]

[cat lover too]

Good news that Kerr is ahead in fundraising.

Anyone know whether she is ahead in the polls? There was one last week by SurveyUSA that showed her behind Chandler. I hope she is gaining ground after the debate and more active campaigning.

You just know that Ds are going to gloat over a Chandler win because they think they beat President Bush, in a way.

[skinkinthegrass]

I agree w/RW, The union thugs, are much weaker in Lexington and E. Ky....Frankfort and Louisville have much stronger union thug organizations.

[bethelgrad]

Hey everyone. I work in Lexington and recently met Chandler walking down Main St. I kind of made a fool of myself since I'm not accustomed to running into politicians. I live in Wilmore (Very conservative) and have only recently started working in Lex. Lexington seems to be a pretty liberal place. At least a lot of my coworkers are liberal. Anyway, not adding anything to the discussion other than personal experience.

[skinkinthegrass]

Good news that Kerr is ahead in fundraising.

...let us all hope (and work) to translate that lead into victory... :/