Doesn’t Money Matter In Politics Anymore?
I’m disappointed in the Republican candidates.
Here in Utah, the Republican candidate usually wins statewide races. This year we have a United States Senate seat up for election and the two candidates for the Republican nomination are reporting a week before the primary that they have raised only $218,000 and $182,000 each. That includes all money raised for the convention and testing the waters before the primary.
| Bridgewater | Lee | |
|---|---|---|
| Raised | $182,000 | $218,000 |
| From Candidadte | $392,000 | $45,000 |
| Total | $574,000 | $263,000* |
* - Mike Lee’s reports have not been submitted and processed by the FEC, this data estimated based on old reports and SL Trib article
A US Senate seat is worth raising money for. When you’re so close to the Republican nomination it’s as easy as fund raising will ever get. If you’re really qualified to manage a three trillion dollar budget, you know people who can send you a lot more money than this for such a good shot at the job. Bridgewater isn’t even trying very hard but throwing his own corporate welfare earnings into the campaign instead, which is a valid but unfortunate choice.
Polls seem to show Lee ahead so far in spite of Bridgewater’s money.
In November, you’ll have the choice of Sam Granato. As a Democrat in Utah, he won’t find it as easy to raise money as the Republicans; big donors prefer to give money only to the sure thing. But he’ll work a lot harder for us.
