Tim Kaine, the Democratic contender for Virginia’s open U.S. Senate seat, wrapped up one of his strongest fundraising quarters of the race and again topped his likely Republican challenger, George Allen.
Kaine raised $2.2 million between January and March, his campaign announced Tuesday. Allen raised $1.4 million in what was also one of his strongest fundraising periods, though it was short of Kaine’s showing.
Kaine, who is unopposed for the Democratic Senate nomination, now has $4.4 million in the bank, up from $3.3 million at the end of 2011. Allen, who faces three challengers for the Republican Senate nomination, continues to spend almost as quickly as he’s raising it, holding $2.66 million in cash compared to $2.2 million at the end of last year.
“We are proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder alongside so many caring people who share our vision for a better future than the one we are having to endure these days,” Allen said.
Fundraising reports for Allen’s three challengers — Tea Party activist Jamie Radtke, Manassas Del. Bob Marshall and minister Earl Jackson — were not immediately available.
Radtke’s campaign told The Washington Examiner they were still tallying the figures. Marshall, who entered the race later than the rest, said he only recently started fundraising for his campaign.
“Now I’m on the ballot so I’m going to get started,” Marshall said.
Jackson’s campaign did not respond to inquiries.
Kaine outpaced Allen’s fundraising efforts throughout the race to replace retiring Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., though money is not expected to be a problem for either campaign. Both candidates are being aided by super-PACs and independent outside organizations hoping to influence what is expected to be one of the season’s premiere Senate races.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other groups are already running ads against Kaine, whose own campaign is expected to get a boost from President Obama.
“We feel like we have the resources we need to communicate down the home stretch, but we expect to see more of their TV ads than ours,” said Kaine spokesman Mo Elleithee.
Both Allen and Kaine were governors of Virginia. Allen also served one term in the U.S. Senate and is looking to recapture that seat after losing it in 2006 to Webb. Kaine was chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
