The numbers are in and it is official: Harold Ford Jr. is number one!According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press Congressman Ford raised at least $519,000 in the Federal Election Commission's third quarter fundraising time period. Ford was followed by Republican money mogul Bob Corker, who raised $517,000 during the same time period.
Van Hilleary came in third raising $345,000 during the third quarter.
Rounding out the bottom in the third quarter fundraising were GOP hopeful Ed Bryant who raised a dismal $278,000 (Wow, I bet the Bryant campaign feels pretty silly now after releasing this press release earlier in the week) and Democratic candidate Rosalind Kurita, who reported raising $120,000.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press report is below:
Former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker reported raising $517,000 in his bid for the Republican Party's 2006 U.S. Senate nomination during the past three months.
U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr., D Tenn., reported raising at least $519,000 in his effort to obtain the Democrats' U.S. Senate nomination during the Federal Election Commission's third quarter.
While campaigns released approximate numbers, the filing deadline to the FEC is not until Oct. 15. The third-quarter reporting period ended Sept. 30.
"As I travel this state sharing my background, experience and conservative approach to getting things done, voters are responding enthusiastically," Mr. Corker said in a statement.
Rep. Ford's campaign manager, Jim Hester, said in a statement that the campaign is happy with its continued financial support. "We continue to show strength in our fund-raising efforts and prove that we will have what it takes to win," he said.
Former U.S. Reps. Ed Bryant and Van Hilleary, both R-Tenn., will face Mr. Corker in the Republican primary.
State Sen. Rosalind Kurita, D-Clarksville, is running in the Democratic primary against Rep. Ford. They are vying for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.
The primaries are on Aug. 3, 2006, and the general election is on Nov. 7, 2006. Campaign officials said third quarter contributions bring Mr. Corker's total receipts to $3.87 million, while Rep. Ford has raised roughly $3 million, including funds transferred from his House fund-raising coffers.
Mr. Bryant's campaign issued a statement announcing its third quarter receipts pushed total campaign receipts to more than $1 million. Mr. Bryant raised $278,000 this quarter, campaign adviser Sonny Scott said. In the statement, Mr. Bryant said he was "honored to learn that so many Tennesseans from every part of our state have offered their support."
Jennifer Coxe, campaign manager for Mr. Hilleary, said the campaign raised about $345,000 in the third quarter, pushing the total to more than $1 million. "This quarter shows that conservatives are rallying around Van," she said.
Andy Spears, spokesman for Sen. Kurita's U.S. Senate bid, said the campaign raised at least $120,000 during the past three months and about $430,000 total. "We feel like we're moving in the right direction," he said.
