Blunt raises more money than competitors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Likely Republican gubernatorial nominee Matt Blunt raised more money in recent months than either incumbent Gov. Bob Holden or his likely primary challenger, State Auditor Claire McCaskill, but still has less campaign cash in the bank than either Democrat.

Blunt, the secretary of state, raised nearly $514,000 from July through September and had over $1.2 million cash on hand at the end of the period, according to campaign finance reports filed Wednesday with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Holden's campaign raised $470,284 and had over $2.3 million on hand at the end of the period -- more than Blunt and fellow Democrat McCaskill, who is weighing a challenge to Holden in the August 2004 primary.

McCaskill, the state auditor, raised more than $414,500 during the period, but nearly $130,000 of that came from a personal loan. She had more than $1.3 million on hand.

Incumbent governors typically have a fund-raising advantage this far before an election. And it is rare for incumbent governors to face a serious challenge from within their party.

John Hancock, a spokesman for the Missouri Republican Party who issued a statement on behalf of Blunt, said Blunt's campaign "is exceeding its own fund-raising goals."

"The numbers also show that Missourians want a new direction for Missouri and feel a California-style frustration with the failed tax-and-spend policies of Democrats," Hancock said.

Blunt, who would have to forgo an re-election bid for secretary of state in order to run for governor, has not officially announced his candidacy but already has set up a campaign apparatus.

McCaskill's campaign said her fund-raising figures show that even though she has not declared her candidacy, she has "underlying support from across the state of Missouri."

McCaskill has publicly expressed an interest in challenging Holden because of concerns in some parts of the Democratic Party that he could be politically weakened by a poor economy and state budget troubles.

McCaskill easily won re-election to a four-year term as auditor last year and could run for governor without having to give up her office.

Holden's campaign, however, expressed confidence, saying McCaskill has had to rely on $255,000 in loans from her husband, according to her last two campaign finance reports.

"If you actually look at the money she's raised, it seems like there's no real groundswell of support for her candidacy for governor," said Caleb Weaver, a spokesman for Holden's campaign.

McCaskill's family has said "all along" that it would cover her expenses to explore running for governor, said Glenn Campbell, a spokesman for her campaign.

Campbell also said Holden's campaign was being propped up by support from the Democratic Party.

"We feel we're closing the gap," Campbell said, adding this was the campaign's best quarter when it came to fund-raising.

On their last quarterly finance reports showing money raised through June, Holden reported more than $2 million on hand, McCaskill just over $1 million and Blunt $914,000.

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On the Net:

Ethics Commission: http://www.moethics.state.mo.us