Which of the four currently-announced GOP candidates is leading the money race in the open Duncan Hunter seat? Well, that depends on the author of the respective press release. Check out three of the contenders’ excerpted samplings from the last week…
Duncan D. Hunter Congressional Campaign Leads Race for Funds
La Mesa, CA – In spite of the fact that their candidate is serving his country 8000 miles away, the Duncan D. Hunter for Congress campaign announced today that they are leading all challengers in the race for campaign funds … The Hunter for Congress committee has raised $170,730 this year – all of it while Duncan D. Hunter, a Captain in the United States Marine Corps, has been serving in Afghanistan.
Bob Watkins Delivers Strong Early Campaign Finance Report:
Campaign Cash Tops All Others in Race
(San Diego) – Although opening his congressional campaign committee just three weeks before the September 30, 2007 finance filing deadline, former San Diego County Lincoln Club Chairman – Republican Bob Watkins – topped all other Republican candidates in fundraising in the race for California’s open 52nd Congressional District. For the period, Bob Watkins raised nearly $154,000 and ended with just over $152,826 in available "cash on hand."
Jones Continues to Lead Field in Money Raised in 52nd Congressional District and in California
Santee, CA – Reports filed today reveal that Santee Councilman Brian Jones has out-raised each of his three major opponents in contributions from within East County’s 52nd Congressional District and from the State of California for the second straight quarter … Jones reported raising almost $34,000 from donors in the 52nd District during the most recent filing period, while his nearest opponent … raised less than $25,000 from donors residing in the district. Additionally, while Jones raised nearly $50,000 from California donors during the period, his nearest opponent reported donations just short of $38,000 from California donors.
So, apparently Jones raised the most from those who do live close-by, Watkins raised the most in the shortest time frame, and Hunter raised the most from those who don’t live close-by…to Afghanistan anyway. I jest, of course. Actually, want I really want to know is which candidate has the most cash-on-hand raised directly from those between 5’6" and 5’9" in height who have children in soccer or gymnastics programs — because, that’s the truest indicator of something, although I have no idea what exactly.
I guess I’m somewhat of a traditionalist. I wanna know how much a candidate has raised and their early "burn rate," meaning how much they’re spending on things that mean nothing at this point related to direct voter contact, such as consultants and fundraisers. That translates into their actual cash-on-hand, because if they spend $80k to raise $100k, the latter number means jack, or squat, or both. Lastly, if they did put their own cash into the pot — which is fine — I’m going to try to determine (since they won’t say so in the press release) if it was just for show or if they intend to keep it there, as well as if they’re likely to drop more if necessary.
That said, here are the numbers ending 9/30/07, on the rocks, straight-up, no twist:
Duncan D. Hunter
Receipts: $171,730
Disbursements: $57,443
COH: $114,285
Debt: $0
Brian W. Jones
Receipts: $104,450
Disbursements: $32,303
COH: $72,147
Debt: $0
Kenneth W. King Jr.
Receipts: $141,955
Disbursements: $30,825
COH: $111,130
Debt: $128,790
Robert J. Watkins
Receipts: $153,580
Disbursements: $753
COH: $152,826
Debt: $116,205
What that actually tells me is that Hunter raised the most and Watkins has the most in the bank. It tells me that King and Watkins may ante up more of their own resources. It tells me that Jones is working hard to keep pace. In other words, it tells me that there are no surprises whatsoever at this point. And, despite the campaign-generated annunciations of "I’m leading," in actuality the numbers are pretty close at this early juncture.
If there was a surprise it was the willingness on the part of the Jones campaign to mention every other opponent by name in the press release, as well as the supposed fundraising short-comings of each:
(Jones’) nearest opponent, Duncan D. Hunter, the son of the incumbent Congressman, raised less than $25,000 from donors residing in the district … Other candidates Bob Watkins and Ken King reported raising comparatively less. Watkins reported loaning his campaign $100,000 and King reported lending $120,000 to his campaign, leaving the two campaigns owing 65% and 85% of their net receipts to personal loans respectively. “I think reporters and the public see through these attempts to make their campaigns seem healthy. There is simply no substitute for financial support from the local community. If the people won’t support you with their money, there’s little chance they’ll support you with their votes,” commented Jones’ Finance Director Lacee Beaulieu.
Hmmm. Although local funding is somewhat of an indicator of grassroots support, it is not a very good indicator of voters. A million smackers raised outside the district is going to influence a large bloc of voters in the district who wouldn’t give you a dime each.
A couple of other press release-related bits of advice for the candidates (you know who you are)…If you’re going to take the time to send out a press release, at least take the time to post it to your website (what, you don’t want the bloggers to link to your website?). In fact, if you’re going to send out a press release with a link to your website, at least have the website up and going.
Lastly, just so folks know I wasn’t "excerpting out of context" from the press releases noted above:
Watkins Release (from Red County SD) – With a link to the campaign website.
Jones Release (from Red County SD) – With a link to the campaign website.
Other 52nd CD links of note:
Oct. 14 Union-Trib Story: "Seat won’t be handed to young Hunter"
A great Red County SD post on the lowdown for each of the candidates and campaigns
Have a great week!
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October 21st, 2007 at 12:00 am
We need Assemblyman Joel Anderson to think about entering this race. He has proven himself in Sacramento and elsewhere as a good republican, and he’s a successful businessman. With a man like Joel out there, why should we elect someone with less political experience???
Barry has already stated that he would not vote for himself if he was on the ballot, so we can’t do a write in for Barry. Next best choice is Joel. Come on Joel!!!