Brunner Takes a Lickin', but Keeps On Tickin'
Submitted by Anthony Fossaceca on Wed, 07/15/2009 - 2:27pm.
Jennifer Brunner, announced today that her campaign raised $228K over the second quarter of 2009, a figure above her first quarter totals, but well below those of Lt. Governor Lee Fisher and former Congressman Rob Portman (who raised close to two million last quarter). The year-to-date total takes her over $435K, with Fisher approaching 1.9 million.
In addition to releasing her numbers, Brunner announced she's dispatching some new heavy-hitters to help solicit funds for Q3. Joining her Finance Committee are Barbara Gould of Indian Hill (Cincinnati), Lana Moresky of Shaker Hts (Cleveland) and Christopher Celeste, the son of former Governor Richard Celeste.
The addition of Moresky to the team is not surprising (she's pledged her support for some time), but it's sure to cause more anxiety on Cleveland's east side as Moresky is certainly well-known and well-established in Fisher's political and social circles. As much as you could consider the addition of a person to a finance committee a coup, I suppose Moresky would rank up there considering her long relationship with Fisher and friends. In 2008, Moresky was a significant fundraiser for Hillary Clinton and had the same impact in 2006 for the Strickland/Fisher ticket. Celeste and Gould also bring rather impressive Rolodexes to the table and should be beneficial in this next quarter.
In their statement, Brunner's camp notes the fundraising difference between their candidate and Lee Fisher, but dig out the history books to point out Fisher's history of losing races where he's outspent his opponents.
Incumbent Fisher outraised challenger Betty Montgomery in 1994 by more than a million dollars for Attorney General but was still defeated, making Fisher the only incumbent Attorney General to be defeated in more than 50 years. Fisher also outspent Bob Taft for governor in 1998 by more than a million dollars, and was defeated again. So Fisher’s fundraising lead over Brunner is hardly intimidating.
“The good news is that our fundraising this quarter was a little better than the previous quarter, while my opponent’s was worse,” Brunner said. “Every week, the polls show this race to be a little closer, and now we’re in a statistical dead heat. So the momentum is on our side, and that’s being reflected in our fundraising. Now, with Barbara, Lana and Christopher helping us raise money, we are certain to do even better next quarter.”
I thought Moresky already WAS on her team
I know she was the one hitting me up last month.
As long as Jennifer stays on this pace, and continues to up her game, she's fine. This primary isn't going to be about who has the biggest pile. I know I've said this before, but DeWhiny crushed Sherron in findraising in 2006 — and who's senator now? And that was the GENERAL where fundraising matters more than in the primary.