Schwarzenegger Campaign Funds Nearly Gone
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
(02-01) 17:12 PST Sacramento, Calif. (AP) --
After spending more than $44 million in last year's special election, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's re-election committee began 2006 in the red.
Campaign statements filed late Tuesday show Schwarzenegger raised $2.5 million in 2005 for his re-election campaign, but spent $3 million. Although he has about $150,000 cash on hand, the Republican's re-election committee had debts of $556,000 as of Dec. 31.
The two leading Democrats looking to challenge Schwarzenegger in November are flush with cash. State Treasurer Phil Angelides reported cash of $17 million, while state Controller Steve Westly has about $24 million — aided by donations of $20 million from himself.
Karen Hanretty, a former spokeswoman for the California Republican Party, said the governor will be able to catch up because the Democrats will spend money battling each other in the June primary. Schwarzenegger faces no significant GOP challenge.
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2006/02/01/politics/p145023S88.DTL