Schrader leads in money raised, Erickson has more cash in bank

Giving us a quick glimpse at what the two fifth congressional candidates have been doing since the May 20 primary, Democratic state Sen. Kurt Schrader and Republican Mike Erickson were relatively busy, although one a bit more so than the other.

Both candidates were in contested primaries and dipped into their own wallets to come out triumphant. Schrader has loaned himself nearly $100,000, while Erickson gave his campaign $974,500. Schrader has a clear lead when it comes to raising funds from individuals and PACs, bringing in roughly $300,000. Erickson, on the other hand, had a more difficult time making his appeal to potential donors by raising only $65,433. The NRCC came in for Erickson with $5000, which pales in comparison to the $1.2 million ad buy the DCCC just secured for Schrader. Erickson beats Schrader when it comes to current cash in the campaign kitty with $400,430 on-hand and Schrader with $231,044.

Schrader garnered much of his support from PACs and his legislative colleagues here in Oregon, but some of his more notable donors came from the timber industry. Generally, timber money falls into primarily GOP bank accounts, however, Schrader managed to pick up some cash from some companies and execs coming from Starker Forests, Giustina and Lone Rock Timber. Looks like he keeps building on that list of Republicans for Schrader. As for Erickson, nothing from Oregon Right to Life in his report.

The remaining $64,000 question is how much Erickson will spend to overcome his abortion hypocrisy woes. Stay tuned.