Franken raises $3.3 million, spends heavily
WASHINGTON - Democrat Al Franken's Senate re-election campaign raised $3.3 million in the second quarter of this year but spent even more heavily on television ads and field organizers well in advance of this fall's midterm elections.
That's the most Franken has brought in this election cycle.
According to a spokeswoman, the campaign will report holding $5 million in cash, a decline of about $900,000 from the previous quarter. Franken has been running ads on TV and hiring field staff, which likely account for the drop in cash reserves despite the blockbuster fundraising.
The campaign touted its grassroots fundraising base, noting that it received nearly 89,000 individual donations, 97 percent of which were for $100 or less.
“We're going to continue to build a strong and aggressive grassroots organization across the state to combat the outside money spent attacking us," said campaign manager Matt Burgess in a statement.
Earlier Thursday, Franken's endorsed GOP opponent, Mike McFadden, announced he had raised $1.1 million and had about $2 million cash on hand.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.