And according to reports filed in the past several days, the state Democratic Party has enjoyed a stunning $4 million edge over the state Republican Party so far this year in total campaign funds.
The Montana Democratic Party has led the state GOP in campaign fundraising this entire year, with money pouring in from sources like the Democratic National Committee, Democratic Governors Association, presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign and wealthy out-of-state donors.
- So far this year, the Democratic Party has raised or had at its disposal $6.5 million. That's compared to about $2.4 million for the state Republican Party.
- As of a week ago, the Democrats still had $1.7 million in their campaign accounts, for use in the final two weeks of the election. The Republican Party had about $400,000.
- In a six-week period starting Sept. 1, Democrats collected a whopping $1.6 million in their “federal” account, which can be spent on promoting congressional and presidential candidates and get-out-the-vote efforts.
During the same period, Republicans took in only $99,000 for their federal account.
About $1.3 million of the Democrats' money during the period came from the Democratic National Committee and the Obama campaign.
- The Democratic Party already has spent nearly $5 million so far this year, on everything from TV ads and mailers for candidates to the Obama campaign to a massive get-out-the-vote effort. The Republican Party has spent $2 million this year.
Kevin O'Brien, spokesman for the Montana Democratic Party, said party leaders made a concerted effort 18 months ago to raise money for the 2008 election, so they could help Democrats take control of the state Legislature and stop an “extremist agenda” promoted by Republicans during the last session.
“We've invested heavily in a ground game that will help Democratic candidates up and down the ballot,” he said.
While the Republican Party is far behind in the money chase this year, it still has raised more money than ever before, said Bridger Pierce, the party's spokesman.
“We're very comfortable that this is enough (money) to reach our goals, to win back the Legislature and to control the (state) Land Board,” he said.
Democrats currently hold a 26-24 edge in the Montana Senate, while Republicans have a 50-49 majority in the House, along with a Constitution Party seat that usually joins Republicans.
The Land Board is composed of the top five state elected officials: governor, attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state and superintendent of public instruction. Republicans hold one of these seats now - Secretary of State Brad Johnson - and hope to pick up two more.
Huge chunks of the Democrats' money have come from out-of-state sources and national party groups: $1.25 million from the Democratic Governors Association, $1 million from the Democratic National Committee and $677,000 from the Obama campaign, to name a few.
U.S. Sen. Max Baucus' Glacier PAC has chipped in another $170,000; unions and labor groups have contributed at least $500,000; a collection of 65 Oklahomans, including business executives, attorneys and others, gave $125,000 in the last couple of months.
Republicans also have relied on some large donors. Billionaire Tom Siebel, who owns a pair of Montana ranches, and investment mogul Charles Schwab, each gave $100,000; Theresa Ryan of Hamilton contributed $80,000; and the Republican State Leadership Council, a national party group, gave $670,000.
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