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Republican Rep. Michael Baumgartner has far more campaign cash than Democratic challenger Carmela Conroy with less than two weeks until the November election. Both campaigns are spending quickly, according to the Spokesman-Review, which reports that Conroy put $280,000 of her $377,000 in spending into ads.
Republican Congressman Michael Baumgartner heads into the final stretch with much more campaign cash than Democratic challenger Carmela Conroy, according to the Spokesman-Review. Both are spending money quickly.
Each candidate raised roughly $330,000 to $375,000 over the past three months, the report said. Baumgartner has raised more than $2 million this cycle. Conroy took in nearly as much since June as in the prior 18 months.
Spending and cash on hand
Conroy has spent more than $377,000 since June, including $280,000 on ads. She had about $154,000 on hand at the end of September.
Baumgartner has spent more than $940,000 since June, according to FEC data. That includes eight ad buys of at least $50,000 each. His largest single expense, a $127,000 ad, was bought on Oct. 9.
He had roughly $800,000 on hand at the end of September. More recent filings show he spent another $200,000 in the following two weeks. Those newer filings are not yet available for Conroy.
Where the money came from
Baumgartner received support from PACs tied to the logging and insurance industries, House Republicans and the National Rifle Association fund. Weyerhaeuser gave the legal maximum of $10,000. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee gave $3,500 this quarter, bringing its total to nearly $62,000.
Apart from her personal funds, the biggest donor to Conroy is the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters, which contributed $10,000 altogether. In late September, EMILY’s List gave $5,000. In mid-September, Stephen and Susan Mandel each made a $3,500 gift.
What it means for you
- If both campaigns keep spending at their recent pace, voters could see heavy advertising right up to the November election, which is less than two weeks away.
- If current spending continues, Baumgartner’s cushion of roughly $800,000 at the end of September, against about $154,000 for Conroy, could leave him better positioned for the final days.
- Because Conroy’s most recent filings are not yet available, her current cash position is not confirmed.