Emerson opponent raises $13,000

Southeast Missourian

Democratic congressional candidate Joe Allen said Thursday he has raised about $13,000 for his effort to unseat U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson of Cape Girardeau in Missouri's 8th Congressional District.

Allen, a Forsyth, Mo., lawyer, said he knew going into the race it would be difficult to raise money to campaign against the Republican incumbent. Emerson, who has held office since 1996, has raised almost $700,000 for her re-election and has more than $300,000 on hand for the campaign. Allen said he has spent most of the $13,000 already for campaign literature and travel across the district.

Despite the difficulty raising money, Allen said he is having good results in the campaign as he talks to working people about the economic and foreign policy problems of President Bush's administration.