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Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
Mack takes enormous lead in fundraising in run for Congress

WASHINGTON — Rep. Connie Mack IV raised far more contributions for his re-election than any of the challengers hoping to prevent him from winning a third term, according to the latest federal campaign reports.

Mack raised $163,553 in the second fundraising period that began April 1 and ended June 30. That brings his total to nearly $1.1 million for the election cycle.

“In any campaign, there are a number of metrics of success, and fundraising is obviously one of them,” said Jeff Cohen, a spokesman for Mack. “But just as important is the breadth and depth of support across Southwest Florida for Congressman Mack’s re-election.”

The Fort Myers Republican also listed $110,764 in operating expenses on his most recent campaign report filed with the Federal Election Commission. Among his largest expenses: $10,000 in various legal fees to Washington-based Arent Fox LLP, and $8,000 spent on fundraising consultation. Mack also paid $6,000 in political consulting fees to New York-based Arthur J. Finkelstein & Assoc.

Cohen called the expenses “normal expenditures of a normal congressional campaign.”

Mack started the current reporting period with $724,883 in the bank.

State Sen. Burt Saunders, a Naples Republican who is running against Mack as a “no-party” candidate, raised $21,456 in contributions, including a $10,000 loan he made to himself.

Saunders listed $32,630 in operating expenses and ended the quarter with $3,294 in the bank.

Mack also has two Democratic challengers. Democrat Larry Byrnes, a Florida Gulf Coast University professor, raised $2,684 during the second fiscal quarter, according to his FEC report. Byrnes listed $24,898 in operating expenses, mostly in legal, fundraising and various other consulting fees. He ended the quarter with $32,686 cash on hand.

The other Democratic candidate, Robert Neeld, raised $725 in contributions during the second quarter. The Cape Coral accountant took out a $10,000 loan to himself and listed $10,314 in expenses. His biggest expenditure was a $9,912 filing fee to secure a spot on this fall’s ballot. Neeld started the current fiscal period with $435 in the bank.

Independent Jeff George raised $9,257 during the second quarter, according to his FEC report. The contributions included $5,412 he gave to himself to help pay off the $9,302 the Cape Coral resident listed in operating expenses. His biggest disbursement was a $6,608 campaign filing fee.

George started the new quarter with $13.76 in the bank.