PORTLAND – Donations to Republican Charlie Summers’ U.S. Senate campaign from July through September were more than triple what he received in the previous quarter, according to campaign finance reports.

Summers’ campaign reported raising about $507,000 from July 1 to Sept. 30, ending the third quarter with $189,000 left to spend. His campaign raised $149,000 during the previous quarter. To date, Summers has raised about $746,000, according to the campaign and finance reports.

Independent candidate Angus King had not released his quarterly figures as of Friday night. But he had already raised nearly $900,000 by the end of June.

Congressional candidates are required to file their full quarter campaign finance reports with the Federal Election Commission by Monday.

Representatives for Democrat Cynthia Dill said they were still compiling their report and did not release any figures Friday. During the last filing period, Dill’s fundraising total was well below those of King and Summers.

Baseline data released by the campaigns Friday shows that political organizations from out of state are outspending the candidates’ campaigns by huge margins in the race. These political action groups and nonprofits are barred under federal law from collaborating with campaigns.

According to the FEC’s website, outside groups had spent $3.9 million on Maine’s Senate race as of this week. The heaviest hitters included:

• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which had spent roughly $840,000 to oppose King. That total does not include money on a third anti-King ad just launched by the chamber.

• The National Republican Senatorial Committee, which had spent $1 million targeting King or supporting Summers.

• Americans Elect, which despite being the newest outside group to engage in the Maine race, has already spent more than $800,000 of an anticipated $1.7 million to support King.

• The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which had spent more than $700,000 to oppose Summers.

In a statement, the Summers campaign claimed the surge in donations — half of which were under $200 — was another sign of the Republican’s momentum heading into the final weeks.

“The more Mainers learn about Angus King’s financial mismanagement as governor and questionable dealings in the wind business, the more his support shrinks. And the more Charlie meets with working people across Maine the more they realize that a small-businessman who shares their principles and priorities is the best person to cut spending, keep taxes low, and balance budgets in Washington,” said Lance Dutson, Summers’ campaign manager.

Washington Bureau Chief Kevin Miller can be contacted at 317-6256 or at:

kmiller@mainetoday.com

 

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