The latest fundraising deadline is upon us, as inboxes across the land are deluged with frantic e-mail pitches. Although the deadline arrived at midnight, we won't have all the numbers for days. Here are six key questions we're pondering as the numbers start trickling out.
How big will Jack Kingston's establishment bounce be? Georgia's GOP cognoscenti started gelling around the Savannah Republican minutes after he landed a spot in the July 22 U.S. Senate runoff against businessman David Perdue, and we're expecting a big bump for Kingston when his figures are released. Just the size is in question. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has spent big on an independent advertising campaign, and we are hearing the Washington PAC world is consolidating behind Kingston in force after the two other sitting congressmen fell in the primary. Most polls show Kingston has carved out a lead. If they stay steady, Kingston will have to decide whether to set aside a significant chunk of change for the fall or lay it all down now.
How much is David Perdue willing to spend? Perdue is a millionaire many times over thanks to his background as an executive for the likes of Dollar General and Reebok. We'll be watching just how deep he's willing to dive into his own pockets. Financial disclosures show he's worth at least $12 million and tax records show he's made $55 million over the last decade. Perdue has made clear he would be the race's biggest "investor" and he's already pumped $2.65 million into his own campaign. But getting a candidate, no matter how wealthy, to sign over more of his earnings - especially when all but your own polls show trouble - is no easy task.
Can Jason Carter keep up with Republican incumbent Nathan Deal? The Democratic gubernatorial candidate came bursting out the gates with $1.3 million in campaign cash in less than two months after he announced his candidacy, and managed to add another $500,000 the first three months of the year. Carter's take during the 11 days after the legislative session's end led his camp to crow about a five-to-one fundraising advantage over Deal. There will be no such advantage this time. Deal, who last reported nearly $4 million in his campaign coffers, has aggressively hit the fundraising circuit, and his events include an appearance with Jeb Bush with a six-figure take. Carter's folks know they won't be able to match Deal, but they hope to stay in the ballpark.
Will Michelle Nunn's army keep opening its checkbook? The Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate has been able to tap her father's network and a deep national network eager to see a Democrat in the Senate in Georgia to become a fundraising powerhouse. Her April disclosure showed her with more than $3.6 million in cash on hand, though she spent as much as she took in that month as her primary TV ad campaign began. She has less than a month left to stockpile cash until the general election kicks off against a likely broke Perdue or Kingston. The latest reports will show whether her 'grassroots army' - which claims at least 3,000 volunteers - is still ponying up.
Will any House runoff candidates run away with the money race? The three U.S. House Republican runoffs remain hard to predict, but these reports will give us some clues. Barry Loudermilk has consolidated national tea party group support against Bob Barr in the 11th, but we'll have to see if that has translated in his campaign coffers. Mike Collins has put in some of his own money in the 10th, but serious establishment funds could be moving his way as Jody Hice's controversial statements draw more scrutiny. In the First, Buddy Carter will likely have a money edge over Bob Johnson -- but both have put their own money in and outside tea party groups could funnel donations Johnson's way.
Can down-ticket Democrats show any signs of life? Several statewide Democrats failed to raise a dime during the last fundraising period, and others amassed hardly enough to run a radio ad. Party leaders were ecstatic that they drafted a full slate of candidates, but without money they can't pose credible challenges. Another poor quarter could spell problems for a party hoping that a strong ticket would boost turnout across the ranks in races against entrenched GOP incumbents.
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