Candidates For Congress Shed Light On Fundraising

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The stockpiles in two competitive Minnesota congressional races are growing as both the Democratic incumbents and their Republican challengers pick up their fundraising pace.

Reports detailing the last three months of fundraising and spending were due Tuesday.

In the state's westernmost district, Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson says he collected nearly $268,000 from April until June. His Republican challenger, state Sen. Torrey Westrom, pulled in $231,000. Peterson has more than twice what Westrom does in available cash with four months to go

In the northeast, Republican Stewart Mills says he raised $338,000 and loaned his campaign a substantial amount. The executive in a family retail business is trying to unseat Democratic Rep. Rick Nolan. The incumbent raised $285,000 last quarter.

Despite being outraised, Nolan maintains a $150,000 edge in the amount of campaign dollars banked.

Minnesota has eight congressional districts, and all but one incumbent is seeking a new term.

The exception is Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann in central Minnesota. Republican Tom Emmer, one of two in the GOP running in an Aug. 12 primary, said he collected $279,000 and had most of it in reserve. Democratic candidate Joe Perske reported raising $55,000 and having $46,000 left after expenses.

In the south, Democratic Rep. Tim Walz had about $542,000 in the bank as of July 1 — five times more than Republican challenger Aaron Miller did. Miller was in considerably better shape than his primary race opponent, fellow Republican Jim Hagedorn.

Four races in and around the Twin Cities had yet to show signs of being competitive from a fundraising standpoint. Republican Reps. Erik Paulsen and John Kline had substantial leads over respective Democratic rivals Sharon Sund and Mike Obermueller. Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison was far outpacing Republican opponent Doug Daggett. Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum had a quarter-million dollars in the bank while Republican challenger Sandra Wahlgren didn't have a report in as of late-afternoon Tuesday.

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