Sen. Michael Bennet’s fundraising to date dwarfs that of Republican challenger Ken Buck, but Buck goes into the final stretch with more cash on hand, according to federal filings.
The snapshots for the third quarter of 2010 show Democrat Bennet raising $2.7 million in the period, for a total of $10.4 million so far. His third-quarter figures include $300,000 he loaned himself just before his primary victory over Andrew Romanoff.
Weld County District Attorney Buck took in $2.1 million during the same period, for $3.4 million in overall fundraising. His total includes $100,000 he loaned himself earlier in the campaign.
Buck ended the Sept. 30 quarter with $1.4 million in cash on hand, while Bennet came in at $1 million.
Bennet’s number does not include the $270,000 he raised at a luncheon with first lady Michelle Obama on Thursday in Cherry Hills Village. Buck has also been holding a series of potentially lucrative fundraisers, including one with Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, a possible presidential candidate.
Buck’s contributions from political action committees jumped in the quarter as expected, after a primary season in which most of that money went to the so-called establishment candidate Jane Norton. Buck took in $312,000 in PAC money.
Bennet has long been a major PAC recipient, including $444,000 this quarter and $1.8 million overall.
The candidates’ prodigious efforts are in turn dwarfed, however, by outside money pouring in to Colorado to influence the Senate race. Groups are making million-dollar ad buys for Colorado markets each week, including the National Education Association, against Buck; and American Crossroads, against Bennet.
The massive sums flow through to TV stations, campaign consultants, direct mail firms and pollsters, said Colorado State University political science professor John Straayer.
“A lot of folks are getting rich in this game,” he said.
Michael Booth: 303-954-1686 or mbooth@denverpost.com
