Georgia Senate runoff brings in millions in outside money

Third-party groups have spent more than $3.4 million in Georgia since the Nov. 4 general election to influence voters in the upcoming U.S. Senate runoff.

Meanwhile, incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and Democratic challenger Jim Martin have raised and spent hundreds of thousands more in the race for the Dec. 2 election, according to new Federal Election Commission reports.

Thursday at midnight was the deadline for both candidates to file pre-runoff reports with the FEC detailing their finances through Nov. 12. Chambliss reported having $1.46 million in cash.

Chambliss raised $565,000 in contributions of more than $1,000 since Nov. 12.

Martin, the former state lawmaker from Atlanta, had $617,000 on Nov. 12 and has raised at least another $193,000 from large contributions since then. A Martin spokesman said most of its television time was purchased before Nov. 12.

Chambliss last week said he had budgeted $4.5 million for the runoff. His spokeswoman said Friday that they have raised $3.5 million through the end of this week.

The money will likely continue to pour into Georgia as Martin and Chambliss face off in an increasingly pivotal run-off. A Martin victory could ultimately result in Democrats achieving 60 votes in the Senate, enough to prevent Republicans from blocking legislation and presidential appointments.

Both campaigns continue to hold high-profile fund-raisers and events. Former President Bill Clinton was here this week for Martin, and former Vice President Al Gore will be here Sunday. Former GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was in the state Friday for Chambliss and Rudy Giuliani will be here next week.

“The reason the whole nation is focused on this [Georgia’s Senate runoff] is because we have to decide if we want two parties in Washington or only one that gets everything it wants,” Romney said at a morning rally for Chambliss at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead.

“I proud of supporting a man who has kept America strong and will continue to fight to keep America strong.”

Bill Bozarth, executive director of Common Cause Georgia, a non-partisan watchdog group, said he’s not surprised by the amount of money involved, but was taken aback by the size of the third-party involvement.

“It’s unbelievable,” Bozarth said. “It’s astounding. It emphasizes to what extent the interest groups believe that they can buy influence in the political process. They apparently believe there’s so much at stake.”

The ability of independent groups to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money, Bozarth said, “makes sort of a mockery to attempt to limit what an individual can give. It’s dwarfed by what these other groups are going to give.”

Individuals can contribute up to $2,300 per election cycle to a candidate and candidates can accept up to $5,000 from a political action committee. But independent groups, such as Freedom’s Watch, can raise and spend as much as they’re able.

Freedom’s Watch, a private, conservative organization, has already spent more than $500,000 in Georgia since the general election. Almost all of that has gone to television advertising supporting Chambliss or bashing Martin.

In fact, the vast majority of all money coming into the state is spent here on television advertising. Since Nov. 4, the two candidates and various interest groups have spent more than $4.5 million on ads in the metro Atlanta television market alone, according to a survey of local stations.

The money is coming from all sides. Martin has benefited from the help of abortion-rights group NARAL, the League of Conservation Voters and labor unions. Chambliss, in addition to Freedom’s Watch, has been boosted by abortion-rights opponents at Susan B. Anthony List, Focus on the Family, cotton growers and the NRA

Both candidates, of course, have been helped by partisan groups. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has spent more than $600,000 for Chambliss and its Democrat counterpart has spent more than $700,000 for Martin. The Republican National Committee recently sent another $2 million to its senate committee for additional television ads on Chambliss’ behalf and the national party has indicated it will be spending much more in Georgia

The money involved leaves Bozarth unsure of who will have the winner’s attention come Dec. 3: Georgia voters or these outside groups?

“One has to answer a question no matter who gets elected: Whose bidding are they going to do when they get to Washington?” he asked.

Martin’s campaign said Friday that Republican groups are worried and are spending as much as they can to keep Chambliss in office.

“Out-of-state special interests are scrambling to save Chambliss’ increasingly desperate campaign, but all the financial momentum and enthusiasm is with Jim Martin,” Martin spokesman Matt Canter said.

Martin has been helped by more than $1 million in third-party spending, Chambliss’ spokeswoman noted.

“Their entire operation has been taken over” by national Democratic interests, Michelle Grasso said. “They have a new communications person, a new consultant, they’ve got Obama people on the ground. Jim Martin probably doesn’t know anybody that’s running his campaign anymore.”

Chambliss, she said, has the same people as before.

“We’re happy to have the help from some people, but we do have a lot of momentum,” she said.