It's a big money day today, as the FEC reports for Q2 2009 were due today. I'll go into much greater depth on these this weekend, but I'll hit a few big names and numbers tonight. Besides that, there is lots of other stuff to peruse besides....
NY-Sen: Gillibrand Has A Very, Very Good Day
It was a pretty happy "hump day" for New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. First of all, the second quarter fundraising numbers came in, and she easily outraised her likely primary challenger, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. Then, later in the day, Gillibrand got the most high-profile endorsement of the campaign thus far, when former DNC Chair Howard Dean announced his endorsement. The video below is an interview between Dean and the Senator. The endorsement comes at the last, around 7:00 for the impatient types out there...
VA-Gov: New Rasmussen Poll Has Race Within the Margin
The race to be Virginia's next Governor continues to be a toss-up, according to a new poll from Rasmussen. Ras has Republican Bob McDonnell at 44%, and Democrat Creigh Deeds at 41%.
KY-Sen: Peek Inside Grayson's Funding Report Shows Official GOP Support
We already knew that Kentucky's Republican Secretary of State (Trey Grayson) had outraised incumbent Jim Bunning. Both sides have admitted as much. What we didn't know until today, according to CQ's Greg Giroux, is how many GOP officeholders in Kentucky have dropped a donation into the Grayson coffers. A handful of county executives, state Representatives, and city officials are on the list of contributors.
TX-Sen: White Reports Nearly $2 Million Banked For Quarter
In the Senate race to replace Kay Bailey Hutchison (who now appears certain to run for Governor), Democrat Bill White, the mayor of Houston, turned in a strong second quarter of fundraising, garnering over $1.8 million. Worth noting, though, is the fact that half of that haul came from White himself. Republican Michael Williams, expected to make a bid, came in far lower, at just over $200,000.
CA-32: Judy Chu Is the Newest Member of Congress
Congratulations are in order for Democrat and State Tax Board Member Judy Chu, who easily defeated the Republican candidate in the field, Monterey Park councilwoman Betty Chu, by nearly thirty points (62-33-5). Chu replaces Hilda Solis, who is now President Obama's Secretary of Labor.
MN-06: Yet Another Democrat Gunning For Bachmann
This has to be perceived as a sign that Democrats believe Republican Congresswoman and gaffe machine Michele Bachmann is vulnerable. A third high-profile Democrat is making noises about running against Bachmann. Tarryl Clark, a member of the Democratic leadership in the State Senate, is reported to be considering a bid. She would join former Independence Party statewide candidate Maureen Reed, as well as the best-known candidate in the field, Elwyn Tinklenberg, who came within a couple of points of unseating the incumbent in 2008.
OH-Sen: Portman Beating Both Democrats in the Money Race
He may be lagging behind both Democrats in the polls, but Republican Rob Portman has an edge over his two Democratic rivals at the cash register. According to the Dayton Daily News, Portman raised $1.7 million in the quarter, followed by the Democrats--Lt. Governor Lee Fisher ($900,000), and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner ($228,000).
AK-Sen: Murkowski Raises Modest Sum In Second Quarter
Well, if Sarah has Senate ambitions, this will do absolutely NOTHING to dissuade her. Incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski raised only $380,000 in the second quarter, and has around a million dollars on hand. Among her donors, interestingly, was Palin's PAC, which would seem to quell rumors that Palin is thinking of making a run at Murkowski.
BATTLE FOR THE HOUSE: 2010 Candidates Turn Over Their Cards
As promised earlier, I will have complete coverage of the money chase for the House this weekend, but here are a few highlights:
- CA-45: It is now official--Democrat Steve Pougnet outraised Republican incumbent Mary Bono Mack for the second quarter. After Pougnet reported $201K yesterday, Bono Mack filed today, showing $174K for the quarter. Bono Mack, naturally as an incumbent, leads in cash on hand.
- DE-AL: Another bit of good news as a GOP incumbent is beaten by a Democratic challenger. Castle raised around $125K, as reported yesterday. Today his Democratic challenger, John Carney, reported a haul of $262K for the quarter.
- MN-06: Michele Bachman leads here thus far with $285K for the quarter, but this has to give her pause: Maureen Reed, former Independence Party candidate, is running as a Democrat in 2010. She raised an impressive $231K for the quarter, without loans or virtually any party/PAC funding.
- NH-01: For being one of the GOP's top-line recruits, Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta had a disappointing take for the second quarter, netting only $110K (and having to kick in $20K just to get into six figures). The perpetually underfunded incumbent, Democrat Carol Shea-Porter, actually outraised Guinta, raising $120K for the quarter.
- CO-04: The GOP had to be pretty happy with the performance of state Rep. Cory Gardner, who opened his Congressional campaign by raising $205K. Despite the impressive haul, he still trailed the Democratic incumbent, Betsy Markey, who raised $266K for the quarter.