Vitter Remains Top Fundraiser In Louisiana Governor's Race

BATON ROUGE (AP) — The four major candidates to be Louisiana's next governor have turned in their latest campaign finance reports, and no one has been able to outpace U.S. Sen. David Vitter.

         Vitter, a Republican, brought in $1.1 million from Jan. 1 through April 17. He ended the most recent period with $4.2 million in his campaign account for the Oct. 24 election.

         "We are getting an incredible response all across Louisiana," Vitter said in a statement.

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         The two other GOP contenders, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, outraised the race's only major Democratic candidate, state Rep. John Bel Edwards.

         Dardenne's campaign took in $521,000 from contributors and closed the period with $1.9 million in the bank. Angelle drew nearly $642,000 in donations and reported $1.2 million cash on hand.

         Edwards lagged behind the others, bringing in $230,000 and reporting just over $894,000 in his campaign account.

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         Monday was the deadline to file reports with the state ethics board.

         Vitter and Dardenne had previously announced their fundraising figures before filing their reports this week. Dardenne's campaign said more than 90 percent of its contributions came from inside Louisiana.

         "These supporters have a direct stake in the outcome of this election, and their financial commitment is especially vital," the lieutenant governor said in a statement.

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         Meanwhile, Angelle's campaign tried to highlight his speed in amassing donations, saying the Republican utility regulator has brought in more money since entering the race in October than the other contenders, who have been in the race longer.

         "Scott's entrance into the race altered the landscape," Angelle's campaign manager, Ryan Cross, said in a statement.

         Edwards' campaign downplayed the numbers and noted his contributions are on average about $500, a suggestion he's attracting support from the general public, rather than high-dollar donors.

         "Our opponents will outspend us, but the success we've had in recent months shows we can do more than our opponents can do for pennies on the dollar," Edwards said in a statement.

         For the election cycle, Vitter has raised $5.2 million, Dardenne $2.8 million, Angelle $2.1 million and Edwards $1.2 million, according to their campaigns.

 

 

 

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