U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack, former state Sen. Tarryl Clark and Duluth City Council Member Jeff Anderson

Cravaack tops 8th District money race

Incumbent has raised $405K so far; Tarryl Clark took in $141K

By Jon Collins
Monday, July 18, 2011 at 10:36 am

Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack is outraising his DFL opponents by large margins in the 2012 election, although a greater proportion of his fundraising comes from Political Action Committees (PACs).

Raised in total by June 30, 2011

In Bank on June 30, 2011

Individuals

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Chip Cravaack

$404,775

$268,942

$283,748

$122,827

Tarryl Clark

$141,114

$131,865

$134,342

$6,771

Jeff Anderson

$30,397

$27,141

$30,647

*Data from July quarterly filings of the Federal Election Commission.

Between April and July Cravaack raised $223,703, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports filed Friday. Cravaack has already raised $404,775 so far this election cycle, although he’s already spent a good deal of money, leaving only $268,942 in the bank.

Most of Cravaack’s donations in this financial quarter came from individuals, although $76,283 came from industry and political PACs. Cravaack received six separate donations from TCF executives, as well as a $6,000 boost from TCF Bank PAC. Cravaack also snagged $5,000 from Michele PAC, run by presidential candidate and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Cravaack notably received $5,000 for the primary and $5,000 more for the general election from Dennis Kirk Frandsen, CEO of Frandsen Corporation, based in Forest Lake.

Democrats, three of whom have officially declared their candidacy for the seat, face the additional obstacle of an expensive primary campaign.

Former state Sen. Tarryl Clark managed to raise $141,114 so far this election cycle and currently has $131,865 on hand.

Clark has some name recognition in progressive national circles after unsuccessfully taking on Bachmann in the 6th Congressional District. She used Act Blue, a Democratic fundraising website, to help raise $67,728 from individuals. She also can boast of a $1,000 contribution from Ellison for Congress, the campaign of Democratic U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison. She notably accepted $2,500 from Alida Messinger, ex-wife of Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton.

Duluth City Council Member Jeff Anderson has raised $30,397 for the primary, all in this financial quarter, mostly from individuals. He’s currently got $27,000 on hand.

Democratic candidate and former U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan hasn’t yet filed with the FEC.

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