Democratic hopefuls top GOP senators in third quarter

Democratic Senate candidates looking to stretch their party’s advantage in the upper chamber to a 60-seat, filibuster-proof majority continued to raise big money in the third quarter, with most of them edging GOP incumbents in the top races. 

Third quarter Federal Election Commission filings, which covered July 1 to Sept. 30 in most cases, were due Wednesday. The numbers reported by campaigns and local media outlets show that Democrats were holding up their end of the bargain with a national party that has been outspending the GOP.

{mosads}In Alaska, where Republican Sen. Ted Stevens awaits his fate in a federal corruption trial just days before his reelection is decided, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) nearly tripled Stevens’s third-quarter take, raising $1.3 million to the incumbent’s $490,000.

Both men have raised more than $3 million for the cycle. However, Stevens had more cash on hand, with $1.2 million, to Begich’s $780,000. The reports in that state covered a period beginning Aug. 7 due to Alaska’s primary date.

In the race for Colorado’s open seat, Rep. Mark Udall (D) topped former Rep. Bob Schaffer (R), $2.8 million to $2 million, though Schaffer had a $2 million-advantage in cash on hand.

In the contest for neighboring New Mexico’s open seat, Udall’s cousin, Rep. Tom Udall (D), outraised Rep. Steve Pearce (R) $1.8 million to $1.3 million.

In Kentucky, Democrat Bruce Lunsford’s $2.4 million contribution to his own campaign in the third quarter gave him $3.2 million in total receipts, while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) raised $2.6 million and maintained a $4.5 million advantage in cash on hand.

In Minnesota, Democrat Al Franken outraised Sen. Norm Coleman (R) by the widest margin, $4.4 million to $2.8 million. Coleman had $4 million in the bank, compared to Franken’s $2.8 million.

In Oregon, state House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D) asserted his fundraising prowess and topped Sen. Gordon Smith (R), $2.1 million to $1.9 million. Smith had about twice as much in the bank, with $1.5 million.

Many campaigns have bought much of their advertising for the remainder of the race, making the cash-on-hand measure a weaker indicator than it is at other points in the cycle.

Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), who appears increasingly imperiled in her first reelection campaign, was a rare bright spot for the GOP, but she still only outraised Democratic state Sen. Kay Hagan by $400,000 — $3 million to $2.6 million.

Even long shot Oklahoma state Sen. Andrew Rice (D) rivaled his incumbent opponent’s totals, raising slightly less than Sen. James Inhofe’s (R) $910,000. Inhofe still maintained a $2 million-to-$450,000 cash advantage.