Congressional race cheap one

For most of the candidates seeking the 48th Congressional District

seat, it’s been a low-budget race -- only four of the 17 candidates

filed campaign finance reports with the Federal Election Commission,

meaning they raised or spent more than $5,000 on this election.

Among the reports filed by Thursday’s deadline, the top

fundraisers -- typically -- were Republicans, with state Sen. John

Campbell leading the pack. The reports cover fundraising and spending

through Sept. 14.

Campbell raised a total of $795,019 and came out with $323,902 in

cash on hand. He loaned $250,000 of his own to the campaign.

Former Assemblywoman Marilyn Brewer, considered Campbell’s leading

GOP opponent, netted a total of $577,259 and reported $302,381 in

cash on hand. She loaned $350,000 of the money to herself.

Campaign manager James Vaughn said Brewer’s fundraising was on

target and provided enough for three TV commercials and about six

pieces of direct mail, with more to come in the next week.

“The final week is when people are really paying attention, and

you want to make sure your message is the last message in the voters’

hands before they go to the polls,” Vaughn said.

American Independent Party candidate Jim Gilchrist was next in

line, reporting $111,731 as the total amount raised and $92,121 in

cash on hand. He didn’t give any of his own money to the campaign.

Democrat Steve Young rounded out the list of those filing reports,

with a fundraising total of $62,493 and $1,857 in cash on hand. Young

loaned himself $52,850.

With endorsements from state and local Democratic organizations,

Young expects his coffers to fill after the Oct. 4 primary.

“Our whole strategy has been to get through the primary, get the

nomination and then things will open up,” Young said. He plans to

pitch in $100,000 more of his own money toward the general election,

assuming he beats the other three Democrats in the primary.

And while someone could go straight to Congress by sweeping the

primary with more than 50% of the votes, Young doesn’t see that

happening.

“The Republicans think it’s over with the primary, because whoever

gets the primary nod is going to be coronated, and we say we’re just

starting,” he said.