Smith for Congress
104 Rock Bridge Road
Dothan, AL 36303
(334) 699-8683
http://www.harrianne2008.com

DOTHAN EAGLE

APRIL 16, 2008
By: Lance Griffin

Smith Raises Almost $250K in Individual

Contributions in First Quarter

Individuals have contributed almost $250,000 to State Sen. Harri Anne Smith’s Congressional campaign this year, more than twice as much as her nearest competitor, and her list of donors reads like a who’s who of Dothan business leaders.

Smith, R-Slocomb, raised $244,675 in individual donations from Jan. 1 to March 31, according to campaign finance records filed this week with the Federal Election Commission. Montgomery television station owner David Woods lists $83,482 in unitemized individual donations. State Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery, lists more than $126,000 in individual donations, but Love's itemized list of individual donors dates back to November of 2007. During this quarter, Love raised more than $53,000 in itemized individual contributions and lists more than $4,000 more in unitemized individual contributions. Former Montgomery mayor Bobby Bright, a Democrat, lists $27,400.

Woods currently has the most cash on hand, $308,797, according to FEC records. He reported a $250,000 loan to his campaign during the first quarter of 2008. Other candidates who either contributed to or loaned money to their own campaign include Love ($300,000 contribution), Dothan oral surgeon Craig Schmidtke ($227,855 contribution), and Smith ($18,099 transfer for expenses).

Several candidates who qualified for the race did not raise the minimum amount necessary to file a campaign finance report for the first quarter, including Republicans John W. Martin of Dothan and State Rep. David Grimes of Montgomery, and Democrats Cendie Crawley of Troy and Cheryl Sabel of Montgomery. ...

Richard Martin, political professor at Troy-Dothan, said Smith’s fundraising success indicates a strong Wiregrass base, which comes as no surprise.

“She does have an edge in that she already has a pretty good base built in the state Legislature. Her name association is much greater and that definitely makes it easier to raise money,” Martin said. ...

Martin also said the lack of campaign funds for some of the other candidates will make it difficult for them to be competitive in the election.

“It’s extremely difficult unless you can find a way to pick up on free air time,” he said.

For Full Article: http://www.dothaneagle.com/gulfcoasteast/dea/local_news.apx.-content-articles-DEA-2008-04-16-0020.html