Strange leads Ala. AG candidates in fundraising
Published 11:54 pm Monday, April 19, 2010
MONTGOMERY (AP) — Birmingham attorney Luther Strange has raised more money in the past three months than any candidate — Republican or Democrat — in the race for Alabama’s attorney general, campaign finance reports show.
Strange is challenging incumbent Attorney General Troy King in the June 1 Republican Primary. The candidates were required to file campaign finance reports Monday showing contributions and expenditures since the last report in January.
Strange’s report showed he had received $354,011 in contributions to $149,166 for King. But King’s report showed he had spent less and he had a larger balance going into the final 45 days of the primary campaign — $290,117 to $97,177 for Strange.
Of the three candidates in the Democratic Primary, Montgomery attorney James Anderson had received $146,706, Birmingham attorney Giles Perkins $99,361 and Mobile attorney Michel Nicrosi $48,608.
King spokesman Chris Brown said it was important that King has more money on hand going into the final weeks before the primary. He said King has been very busy in recent weeks dealing with attorney general’s office duties and has not spent as much time on fundraising.
Strange’s campaign report shows most of his contributions coming from individuals. His largest individual contribution was $12,500 from John E. Downs of Webb.
King’s largest contribution was from FARM PAC, which supports the positions of the Alabama Farmers Federation.
“I’m very pleased,” Strange said of his report. He said his campaign was being financed by average Alabamians.
“Almost all of our contributors are individuals. You can touch them and see them and see who they are,” Strange said.
King has been at odds with Gov. Bob Riley over the governor’s appointment of a task force on illegal gambling. King has argued that his office should be in charge of the task force.
Strange has criticized King’s position on bingo and after campaign finance reports were released in January accused King of transferring money from one political action committee to another to hide contributions from gambling interests. The report released by King on Monday was more modest, showing more contributions from individuals and fewer from PACs.