By Torey Van Oot, Axios — Feb 3, 2022
Millions of dollars in political donations are already flowing to high-stakes campaigns for state and federal officess.
Why it matters: Winning a campaign requires lots of cash, and big fundraising hauls, including the ones reported in year-end filings due this week, can signal a competitive candidate or contest.
Yes, but: Outside political groups that are able to raise and spend unlimited sums can end up having an even bigger influence on a race’s outcome.
DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon’s large haul gives him a big advantage over his GOP rivals, though Republicans Kim Crockett and Kelly Jahner-Byrne are starting the year in better fiscal shape than past GOP nominees.
- The big picture: Secretary of state races across the country are expected to attract record sums as both parties put a focus on election issues.
A $100,000 personal loan helped GOP attorney general hopeful Dennis Smith end the year on similar footing to DFL incumbent Keith Ellison. Both ended the year with about $240,000 in the bank. Doug Wardlow, the GOP’s 2018 nominee, raised nearly $270,000, but had only $25,000 cash on hand.
- What to watch: Smith has said he’ll run through the primary, regardless of who wins a crowded endorsement battle.
DFL U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, who’s running for re-election in what’s expected to be one of the state’s most competitive districts this November, took in more than double in cash, compared to her GOP rival Tyler Kistner.
- The two-term DFL incumbent had nearly $3 million to spend, while Kistner, who also ran in 2018, had $170,000.