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Kleeb beats Johanns for fundraising period

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By ANNA JO BRATTON / The Associated Press

Monday, Jul 14, 2008 - 07:22:11 pm CDT

OMAHA — Democratic Senate candidate Scott Kleeb seems to be finding fundraising traction in this heavily Republican state, bringing in nearly $700,000 in the latest reporting period and besting Republican Mike Johanns for the first time.

Johanns reports nearly $683,000 raised between April 1 and June 30.

Johanns still has a hefty advantage overall, bringing in more than $2.7 million in the election cycle.

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Scott Kleeb

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But Kleeb made some headway with his best fundraising quarter yet, and is nearing the $1 million mark for the cycle, with at least $964,000 raised.

The candidates are vying for the seat being vacated by Republican Chuck Hagel, who isn’t seeking re-election. Johanns, a former Nebraska governor and U.S. agriculture secretary, has more than $1.2 million cash on hand.

Kleeb’s cash on hand number wasn’t immediately available Monday afternoon.

Candidates are required to file a report Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission that details fundraising between April 1 and June 30. Both campaigns provided early totals to The Associated Press.

Johanns received money from more than 3,000 individual donors, according to his spokeswoman, Sarah Pompei.

She said 81 percent of the individual donors were from Nebraska, showing strong support for the Republican at home.

In the 2nd District House race, U.S. Rep. Lee Terry has raised nearly $1 million for his 2008 re-election campaign, adding more than $249,000 for the quarter ending June 30. Of that amount, nearly $190,000 came since the April 23 primary report.

The Republican faces a rematch with Democrat Jim Esch in November. Esch’s latest fundraising numbers weren’t available Monday on the Web site of the Federal Election Commission. Terry provided his numbers early to The Associated Press.

Esch reported raising $114,346 by April 23.

Terry’s campaign said Monday he has nearly $617,000 cash on hand.

In the 1st District — which includes Lincoln — U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry has raised nearly $510,000, according to his campaign. This quarter, he brought in $61,680. The Republican has nearly $375,000 cash on hand.

Numbers for his Democratic opponent, Max Yashirin, weren’t available.

In the 3rd District, Democratic challenger Jay Stoddard said he’s raised less than $5,000, which means FEC rules don’t require him to file a report.

Incumbent Republican Adrian Smith’s numbers weren’t available.


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Lincolnite wrote on July 14, 2008 4:35 pm:
" Who cares? Doesn't the media (and candidates) realize all of this just perpetuates the notion that only the rich get elected? I'd rather have an honest candidate that just tries the best they can and lets the numbers fall wherever they fall. Of course this is idealistic of me but I thought that's what our country is "supposed" to be all about. It's just sad that the Average Joe can't wake up one day and run for president without having millions of dollars. Of course if they gain support the finances will follow ... but the days of the likes of Abraham Lincoln are so far gone that it is hard to trust anyone anymore. "

Josh wrote on July 14, 2008 4:38 pm:
" As if it matters. Kleeb will get beat just like he did two years ago, except more convincingly. Then maybe he'll go away. "

WOW wrote on July 14, 2008 4:51 pm:
" Good for Kleeb, bad for Johanns! Now let the bloody feud between them begin! "

Kleeb equals better Nebraska wrote on July 14, 2008 5:27 pm:
" Nebraskans are putting their money where the best bet for a better Nebraska is, I have had it with Johanss empty promises. "

Mike Johanns.... wrote on July 14, 2008 5:35 pm:
" is just not that exciting of a candidate because everyone knows what they get from him. Nothing. "

JoBeth wrote on July 14, 2008 6:39 pm:
" Enough of Johanns already. He is a do nothing. Lets get someone new in here PLEASE. "

Billy Bob wrote on July 14, 2008 6:48 pm:
" Vote for none of the above. "

M wrote on July 14, 2008 7:37 pm:
" Although I support him, I do not plan to give any money to Johanns. He already has a strong money advantage and has a great shot to win. My money is off to the Crystal City headquarters of Senator McCain! "

whatever wrote on July 14, 2008 9:26 pm:
" The Republicans are routinely painted as "big money" but not this year. The Democrat Party will out raise and out spend the the Republican Party this year as there is "money to burn". Many Republicans this year, like myself, are putting their money behind the Democrats. The Republican Party is finished. Thank you Neocon Traitors for destroying what was left of the freedoms in this country. At least the Democrat Party is a little more honest. "

troy wrote on July 14, 2008 9:28 pm:
" My vote is with Johanns, because he hung in there till the bitter end and faught hard for our Nebraska farms to get an excellent, comprehensive farm bill on the President's desk....oh wait, that wasn't Johanns, he jumped ship before the final product was even presented. Thanks for NOTHING Mike! My vote AND money goes to Scott! "

BestNEB wrote on July 14, 2008 9:42 pm:
" With Johanns' experience, his relationships in Washington could bring home some benefits to Nebraska. Nelson promotes that his goal in DC is looking for line-items to add to bills that will benefit Nebraska. Just a few of those multi-million dollar programs dramatically affect our small state. "

Demolish wrote on July 14, 2008 10:18 pm:
" Go Scott, go. Mike Johanns = the good old boys with old ideas and old solutions to today's modern problems. "

Undecided wrote on July 14, 2008 10:28 pm:
" By any standard, Kleeb has been impressive and has earned a national reputation in a very short amount of time. That brings fear to the Johanns campaign, and justly so. People across Nebraska know the road to change is to change their voting habit....red has long been associated with Communists and blue the sky and heaven. Myths of voters have been shattered with the reality that the costs of war make this campaign spending seem paltry. Change and reform of government will be achieved by electing the candidate who best sends that message to the people. "

realist wrote on July 14, 2008 10:30 pm:
" donating to a democrat in nebraska is a complete waste of hard-earned money.(Ben was a republican BEFORE he was a "democrat") I send mine to contests in other states where we have a chance or to the DNC. Nebraska is a lost cause.

Having said all that, if ever there was a surprise here one would think now would be the time. Bush and Johanns are TOTALLY unexciting and out of touch and change is in the air. Surely it isn't necessary to enumerate the grievances tha American people have with the GOP "

JB wrote on July 14, 2008 11:04 pm:
" With a candidate like Johanns to run against the Democratic National Committee knows this is a winnable elections if given enough money. Go Kleeb. "

Big boy wrote on July 15, 2008 1:13 am:
" This is great news. The better candidate now has a better chance to beat the over rated no idea candidate the Republicans seem to throw at us all the time anymore "

Plain Jane wrote on July 15, 2008 8:43 am:
" Isn't it sad that all this money is going for an election, and also that all the money raised for the presidential campaign could probably pay for the national debt. People are losing their homes, gas is going up, and all this money is for a stupid campaign. Sad. "

JB wrote on July 15, 2008 9:41 am:
" Johanns experienced! At what? Changing jobs. Can't finish. "

JBII wrote on July 15, 2008 9:49 am:
" The difference in Nebraska is "genuine" versus "impersonator". "

Roger wrote on July 15, 2008 12:17 pm:
" Funny posts today. Johanns isn't focusing on raising money, he doesn't have to. Kleeb's money will go to waste; he has no chance, especially in the west and Omaha area. Mr. Johanns knows Washington and is by far the best candidate.

BTW, what "national reputation" does Kleeb have? LOL! "

Jason wrote on July 15, 2008 5:05 pm:
" There is not only a disparity in finances but in direction the country will go if they are elected. Fortenberry has allied himself with deficit spending, continued hardship of war for troops and their families, unregulated banks and utilities. Yashirin would not stand for the status quo and appears to stand for a military who is strong but not deployed unless there is an imminent threat to our nation, a pathway that Obama and his message for diplomacy stand for. It is good to see the Marine serving his nation with passion and insights beyond his age. Fortenberry brought no military experience into office and the disparity between his concern for the people in supporting health care and the needs of an aging Nebraska with the Democrat’s option is great. Money can make a difference, but you cannot buy a value system with that, Yashirin may not have the funding but shows he lives up to strong moral values. "