By Timothy McNulty
February 2, 2010
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Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato remains the leader by far in fundraising for the governor's race, besting other Democrats and the leading GOP contender for the office, Attorney General Tom Corbett.
Mr. Onorato's campaign ended 2009 with $6.5 million in the bank, almost 70 times more cash than one of his Democratic rivals. He has twice the $3.2 million left in Mr. Corbett's coffers, according to finance information filed Monday.
"We are very happy with the widespread and deep support Dan's campaign has received from across the commonwealth," his campaign manager, Kevin Kinross, said in a statement. "With more than $6.5 million cash on hand as of the end of the year, and continued strong fundraising in January, we are confident we will have the resources we need to educate voters about Dan's record of accomplishment and his vision for Pennsylvania."
Mr. Corbett, of Shaler, raised $4.2 million during the year and spent $1 million. While his campaign had far less than fellow Pittsburgher Mr. Onorato, he may not have to spend as much before the May 18 primary, as polls indicate he has a healthy lead on GOP challenger Sam Rohrer, a state representative from Berks County. Mr. Rohrer had $28,000 in his campaign account at the end of December, after raising $92,000.
In the Democratic race, Mr. Onorato is facing Jack Wagner, the state Auditor General from Beechview; Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty; and Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel. A Franklin & Marshall College poll last week showed 72 percent of the likely party electorate is undecided on the race, with 10 percent supporting Mr. Onorato and 4 percent for each of his rivals.
Mr. Wagner raised $171,000, in addition to $586,000 he already had in his campaign account.
Mr. Doherty's campaign raised $444,000 through the year (and had a $675,000 mayoral re-election campaign), but was left with only $94,500 after expenses. Mr. Hoeffel's team raised $400,000 and was left with $229,000.
It is a similar story in the race for U.S. Senate, with the leading Republican having less money than the Democrats, but with few worries of an expensive primary tapping those funds.
U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Delaware County, finished 2009 with $5.1 million on hand, which is only $400,000 more than he had at the last reporting period in late September. The campaign for incumbent U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Philadelphia, had $8.66 million in the bank after raising $1.15 million during the quarter.
Republican frontrunner Pat Toomey of Lehigh Valley had $2.8 million, after raising $1.67 million in the last three months of the year. He leads conservative activist Peg Luksik in the GOP polls.
Besides Mr. Sestak, the other 18 members of the state's congressional delegation all face re-election this year. In Western Pennsylvania, that includes incumbents Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills (who had $391,000 at the end of the year); Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair ($545,000); Jason Altmire, D-McCandless ($979,000); Kathy Dahlkemper, D-Erie ($684,000); and John Murtha, D-Johnstown ($388,000). All are expected to face GOP opposition in the fall.
Allegheny County year-end reports were also due Monday, showing Mayor Luke Ravenstahl with $262,000 on hand (after repaying a $150,000 loan from the Onorato campaign), and City Council rival William Peduto with $57,000.
