Democrat Tim Kaine raised $1.3 million over the three months ending Sept. 30, his lowest quarterly take to date though it was significantly more than Republican George Allen, his likely opponent in Virginia’s open U.S. Senate race.
More importantly, Kaine still has $2.5 million left to spend, his campaign reported Thursday. Not only is that more than Allen’s $1.8 million, it demonstrates the advantage he’ll have heading into the November 2012 election.
While heavily favored to win the Republican nomination, Allen faces four potential opponents, mostly of the Tea Party ilk, who continue to paint him as a high spender from his days as governor and in the U.S. Senate. While Allen’s attention remains focused on Kaine, he’ll have to spend money to fend off his challengers in the months leading up to his primary.
Allen raised about $900,000 in the third quarter but spent nearly all of it after starting the period with $1.65 million on hand, according to the fundraising report his campaign released last week.
Meanwhile, Kaine entered July with $1.9 million and added more than $600,000 to his coffers. He reeled in $2.25 million from April to June and $1.5 million in the first quarter.
Kaine benefited from a Chicago fundraiser with the high-profile and deep-pocketed friends of President Obama. Kaine previously served as Obama’s handpicked chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Allen’s campaign said he and his wife have spent considerable time in the last few months campaigning for Republicans who are trying to pickup seats in the state Senate.
Reports are officially due to the Federal Election Commission on Saturday.
