Georgia businessman posts $1.8M for Senate race

{mosads}”As a first time candidate without the advantages of the politicians in this race, I am extremely encouraged by the outpouring of support from concerned individuals willing to invest in this cause,” Perdue said in a statement.

The haul is the biggest so far announced in the GOP primary. Rep. Jack Kingston (Ga.) also posted a solid quarter, pulling in $800,000, and has $2.9 million in the bank. The other candidates in the crowded Senate field have not yet announced their totals. Democrat Michelle Nunn brought in $1.7 million in her first 10 weeks in the race, she announced earlier this week.

Half of the money from Perdue is a loan, and he indicated he doesn’t plan on giving his campaign much more for the race.

“I wouldn’t expect others to invest in a cause that I was not willing to invest in myself.  However, I do not believe in self-funding a campaign,” he said. “After these first weeks, I am confident that people are responding and we will have the resources needed to get our message out to the voters.”

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) is retiring, creating an open seat in the Republican-leaning state.