Womack contributions total more than $100,000
by March 19, 2010 6:01 pm 86 views
With money usually a good indicator of campaign strength, Rogers Mayor Steve Womack attempted Friday to show his strength by announcing that his Congressional run has generated more than $100,000 in contributions in a little more than 30 days.
Womack is one of eight Republicans squaring off in the May 18 GOP Primary for the 3rd Congressional District race. Only Fayetteville attorney David Whitaker is in the race as a Democrat.
The Arkansas Election Line recently called the 3rd District race as “Safe Republican,” meaning the GOP Primary winner is likely to win the November general election. However, The Arkansas Election Line is saying the GOP primary is a “Toss Up,” with the likely frontrunners being State Sen. Cecile Bledsoe of Rogers, former State Sen. Gunner DeLay of Fort Smith and Rogers Mayor Steve Womack.
“Our message for strong conservative leadership and reform in Washington is resonating across the 3rd District. We are building a strong campaign. Our continued success in the fundraising arena will allow us to get our message out to voters and help ensure victory,” noted the Friday statement from Womack’s campaign.
Womack Campaign Chair Susan Barrett said more than half of the donations are $200 or less.
“Mayor Womack has raised this first $100,000 in just over a month. … The speed with which this was done shows the immediate, passionate support his candidacy has generated,” Barrett said in the statement.
The Bledsoe campaign would not discuss contribution details.
“We don’t comment on our fundraising. We will report on the 15th of next month along with the other candidates. We’re very happy with our fundraising thus far, and we will have enough money to get our message to the voters,” responded Rep. Duncan Baird, R-Lowell, who serves as the campaign chairman for Sen. Bledsoe.
The DeLay campaign did not issue a formal response to a question from The City Wire about campaign contributions.
Federal election laws require Congressional candidates to issue a first-quarter fundraising report no later than April 15. It will be the only fundraising report required prior to the May 18 primary.
Most political pundits watching the 3rd District race estimate it will take at least $200,000 to competitively campaign for the GOP primary.