Government
Strange Out-Spends Moore in Senate Race 3-to1
Luther Strange has raised and spent almost three times as much campaign money as Roy Moore has as they approach Tuesday’s Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate.
But the amount of money Strange has collected in his effort to hold on to the Senate seat he was appointed to fill earlier this year is only part of the story. Much of the GOP establishment in Washington has coalesced around Strange and has contributed and spent additional millions of dollars on his behalf.
Reports filed by the candidates with the Federal Election Commission show Strange collected $3.87 million for the race through Sept. 15. Moore reported raising $1.41 million.
Strange tapped the Republican establishment in Washington and deep-pocket donors from around the country for much of his war chest. He reported contributions of $1.27 million from political action committees, along with $2.51 million from individuals.
By contrast, Moore reported only one donation from a PAC – $5,000 from a gun-rights group based in Colorado – and $1.41 million from individuals.
The biggest single source of support for Strange, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump and much of the party leadership, does not show up in his financial disclosures.
The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC founded in 2015 by supporters of Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, has bought television, radio, online and other ads both in support of Strange and in opposition to his rivals. The fund has reported spending $2.50 million this year to pay for ads and other media messages criticizing Moore and $733,395 for messages supporting Strange. In addition, the fund spent $1.48 million earlier this year in opposition to U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, who finished third in the first primary in August.
The Washington Post reported that the Senate Leadership Fund has spent $8 million this year in support of Strange.
Moore also had outside help. OpenSecrets.org reported that the Solution Fund PAC has spent $54,000 in support of Moore and $10,000 opposing Strange, while the Swamp Drainers Foundation and the Madison Project have spent $85,000 and $68,000, respectively, in advertising and other materials to oppose Strange.
The most recent finance reports show Strange has spent $4.04 million on the campaign and has a balance of $631,814. Moore reported spending $1.13 million, leaving a cash balance of $285,704.
The rare special election for the Senate has attracted a steady dose of national attention, from the media and Republican officials.
Trump came to Alabama on Friday to headline a rally in Huntsville for Strange. Vice President Mike Pence plans to attend an event for Strange at 7 p.m. Monday at HealthSouth Aviation in Birmingham.
Sarah Palin campaigned for Moore on Thursday in Montgomery.
Former Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Strange, who was then Alabama’s attorney general, on Feb. 9 to the Senate seat. The vacancy was created by Trump’s appointment of then-Sen. Jeff Sessions as U.S. attorney general.
The winner of Tuesday’s runoff will face Democrat Doug Jones in the Dec. 12 general election.
Contributions of $5,000 or more during 2017
ROY MOORE
Total contributions: $1,417,414
$8,100: Jere L. Beasley, Montgomery; Grace Ford, Savannah, GA; David Guess, Mobile; Eleni Karvela, Incline Village, NV; George Macricosta, Incline Village, NV; Al Moore, St. Louis, MO.
$8,000: Tatnall L. Hillman, Chilmark, MA.
$6,000: Lawrence Gelman, McAllen, TX.
$5,400: Benjamin Baker, Montgomery; John D. Blanchard, Montgomery; Frank Bradshaw, Norcross, GA; Gretchen Brooks, Vancouver, WA; Frederick Frost, Katy, TX; Krista Shira Frost, Newnan, GA; Christopher Guess, Trussville; Julie Guess, Trussville; Ralph T. Hudgens, Hull, GA; Deanna R. Jones, Montgomery; Rhon E. Jones, Montgomery; Lana R. McNair, Point Clear; William R. McNair, Point Clear; John Rankin, Uniontown; Edward M. Stivers III; Montgomery; Patricia Thompson, Birmingham; Abigail I. Tuomala, Lynchburg, VA; Jeffrey C. Tuomala, Lynchburg, VA; Gibson Vance, Montgomery; Kate Vance, Montgomery; Larry D. Young, Orange Beach; Pamela J. Young, Orange Beach.
$5,200: Pete M. Hannah, Hoover; Sonja M. James, Andalusia; Deanne R. Jones, Montgomery.
$5,000: Greg Allen, Montgomery; Jerry Carr, Enterprise; William Carr, Enterprise; William Mills, LaFayette, LA; National Association for Gun Rights Inc. PAC, Windsor, CO; Guice Slawson, Montgomery.
Contributions of $5,000 or more during 2017
LUTHER STRANGE
Total receipts: $3,876,890
$71,699: 2017 Senators Classic Committee.
$47,400: National Republican Senatorial Committee.
$15,000: Defend America PAC, Tuscaloosa; Opportunity and Responsibility Restored in our Nation PAC, Washington.
$10,000: Alabama Power Co. Employees Federal PAC; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama PAC, Montgomery; Bluegrass Committee, Washington, DC; Checksmart Financial LLC PAC, Dublin, OH; Committee for Advancement of Cotton PAC, Cordova, TN; Common Values PAC, Alexandria, VA; Culac the PAC of Credit Union National Association, Washington, DC; Elect-The PAC of Alabama Farmers Federation, Montgomery; Freedom Fund, Washington, DC; Fund for a Conservative Future, Alexandria, VA; Fund for America’s Future PAC, Columbia, SC; Heller Highwater PAC, Las Vega, NV; Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. PAC, Washington, DC; Murray Energy PAC, Saint Clairsville, OH; National Automobile Dealers Association Inc. PAC, Washington, DC; Next Century Fund, Alexandria, VA; Preserving America’s Traditions PAC, Tampa, FL; Project West PAC, Lone Tree, CO; Realtors PAC, Chicago, IL; Regions Financial Corp. PAC, Washington, DC; Responsibility & Freedom Work PAC, Jackson, MS; The Travelers Companies Inc. PAC, Hartford, CT; Thompac, Raleigh, NC; Vulcan Materials Co. PAC, Birmingham.
$9,000: Lockheed Martin Employees PAC, Arlington, VA.
$8,100: Edward K. Aldag, Mountain Brook; Paul Atkins, Arlington, VA; Cynthia Boich, Columbus, OH; Wayne M. Boich, Columbus, OH; Louis C. Cardinal, Montgomery; John Catsimatidis, New York, NY; Karen H. Hubbard, Saint Paul, MN; Charles P. Joyce, Wellsville, NY; R. Perot, Dallas, TX; Matthew Rice, Harrisburg, IL; Koch PAC, Washington, DC.
$8,000: Anna Marie Reschini, Indiana, PA; Joseph Reschini, Indiana, PA; David Wallace, West Frankfort, IL; Rebecca Wallace, West Frankfort, IL.
$7,500: BNSF RailPAC, Fort Worth, TX; Chevron Employees PAC, San Ramon, CA; Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers PAC, Washington, DC; SunTrust PAC, Richmond, VA.
$6,500: Duke Energy Corp. PAC, Charlotte, NC.
$6,400: Edward Hardin, Birmingham; Tim Harrison, Tuscaloosa; Michael Straus, Alton.
$6,000: Allen C. Harris, Opelika; The Coca-Cola Co. Nonpartisan Committee for Good Government, Atlanta, GA; U.S. Peanut PAC, Washington, DC.
$5,500: Jeffrey Tolbert, Irondale.
$5,400: George W. Barber, Birmingham; Richard J. Bielen, Mountain Brook; Martin J. Bienenstock, Katonah, NY; Marjean D. Brooks, Birmingham; Richard A. Brooks, Birmingham; Franklin Brown, Mountain Brook; Forman Burr LLP, Birmingham; Jill Cain, Mountain Brook; Lyle E. Cain, Mountain Brook; Louis C. Cardinal III, Mountain Brook; Russell Carson, New York, NY; James F. Coleman, Dothan; Tiffany Coleman, Dothan; David Cunningham, Pittsburgh, PA;
Alfonse M. D’Amato, New York, NY; Stewart M. Dansby, Birmingham; Claiborne P. Deming, El Dorado, AR; Bruce Denson, Mountain Brook; John Drummond, Jasper; F&P LLC, Montgomery; Carolyn Featheringill, Mountain Brook; C. Fitzpatrick, Mountain Brook; Kelley Fitzpatrick, Mountain Brook; Bradford M. Freeman, Los Angeles, CA; Ronald Gidwitz, Chicago, IL; Gillian W. Goodrich, Mountain Brook; Michael Goodrich, Mountain Brook; Kenneth C. Griffin, Chicago, IL;
Melanie Grinney, Mountain Brook; Chad Hagwood, Birmingham; Lisa Hall, Great Falls, VA; Stewart Hall, Washington, DC; Holman Head, Birmingham; R.R. Head, Birmingham; Albert P. Hegyi, New York, NY; David Herro, Chicago, IL; Hayne Hollis, Dothan; David C. Humpreys, Joplin, MO; Ray L. Hunt, Dallas, TX; Bruce D. Irwin, Birmingham; Donald M. James, Pensacola, FL; Elizabeth R. Jernigan, Mountain Brook; John D. Johns, Mountain Brook; James M. Johnson, Mountain Brook;
John A. Kaneb, Lynnfield, MA; Wallace E. Kirkpatrick, Huntsville; Goodman G. Ledyard, Mobile; Timothy Maziarz, Bridgeville, PA; Daniel McKinney, Vestavia; Emmett E. McLean, Mountain Brook; Heather A. McWane, Mountain Brook; Phillip C. McWane, Mountain Brook; Larry W. Morris, Alexander City; Matthew Ornstein, Neptune Beach, FL; C. Ruffner Page, Mountain Brook; Virginia W. Page, Mountain Brook; Donald W. Patton, Mountain Brook;
Katharine S. Patton, Mountain Brook; Lloyd Peoples, Vestavia; Ronald Perelman, New York, NY; Andrew Pharo, Mountain Brook; Elizabeth Pharo, Mountain Brook; Neil Pope, Huntsville; Patrick Popicg, Benwood, WV; James Proctor, Mountain Brook; Laura Proctor, Mountain Brook; James A. Rubright, Atlanta, GA; Joseph Saiia, Mountain Brook; Frank Schuler, Atlanta, GA; David D. Shelby, Birmingham; Jeffrey Silverman, Miami Beach, FL;
Guice Slawson, Montgomery; Pam Smith, Hoover; Southeast Wood Treating LTD, Montgomery; Squire Patton Boggs PAC, Washington; John Stankus, Canonsburg, PA; Swaid N. Swaid, Birmingham; Julius Talton, Selma; Foy Tatum, Montgomery; Genie Thompson, Mountain Brook; Lee Thuston, Birmingham; Jose Antonio Valencia, Hoover; Anne Von Kuhn, Naples, FL; Geoffrey Von Kuhn, Naples, FL; Steven C. Voorhees, Atlanta, GA; Deborah W. Whittington, Vestavia; John P. Whittington, Vestavia.
$5,200: Barry Kraselsky, Miramar Beach, FL.
$5,000: Action Committee for Rural Electrification, Arlington, VA; AGSH&F Civic Action Committee, Washington, DC; Airbus Group Inc. PAC, Herndon, VA; Allstate Insurance Co. PAC, Northbrook, IL; American Bankers Association PAC, Washington, DC; American Crystal Sugar Co. PAC, Moorhead, MN; American Dental Association PAC, Washington, DC; American Gas Association PAC, Washington, DC; American Peanut Shellers Association PAC, Albany, GA; Amgen Inc. PAC, Newbury Park, CA; Associated Builders & Contractors PAC, Washington, DC; Associated General Contractors of America PAC, Arlington, VA; AT&T Inc. Federal PAC, Dallas, TX; Balch & Bingham LLP Federal PAC, Birmingham; Bridgepoint Education Inc. PAC, San Diego, CA; Capital One Financial Corp. Associates Political Fund, McLean, VA; H. Chapman LLC, Auburn; Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United Inc. Committee for Good Government, Birmingham; Comcast Corp. & NBCUniversal PAC,
Philadelphia, PA; Committee for the Advancement of Southeast Cotton PAC, Dawsonville, GA; Copart PAC, Fairfield, CA; Country First PAC Inc., Alexandria, VA; Cozen O’Connor PAC, Philadelphia, PA; Dalen PAC, Dallas, TX; Deloitte PAC, Washington, DC; Dirgo PAC, Alexandria, VA; Energy Transfer Employee Management Co. PAC, Austin, TX; ExxonMobile PAC, Irving, TX; FedEx Corp. PAC, Memphis, TN; Food Marketing Institute PAC, Arlington, VA; Friends of Bud Cramer, Huntsville; General Electric PAC, Washington, DC; General Motors Co. PAC, Washington, DC; Healthsouth PAC, Birmingham; Heartland Values PAC, Sioux Falls, SD; Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co, PAC, Washington, DC; Hotel PAC, Washington, DC; Investment Company Institute PAC, Washington, DC; Hugh B. Jacks, Shoal Creek; JM Family Enterprises Inc. PAC, Deerfield Beach, FL; Matthew J. Kemner, San Francisco, CA; KPMG PAC, Washington, DC; Michael B. Lee, Mobile; Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. PAC, Boston, MA; McAndrews & Forbes Inc. PAC, New York, NY; Making Business Excel PAC, Cody, WY; Marathon Petroleum Corp Employees PAC, Findlay, OH; Maynard Cooper & Gale PC PAC, Birmingham; Mortgage Bankers Association PAC, Washington, DC; National Association of Convention Stores PAC, Alexandria, VA; National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC, Alexandria, VA; National PAC, Willowbrook, IL; National Shooting Sports Foundation PAC, Washington, DC; New York Life Insurance PAC, New York, NY; One Georgia PAC, Atlanta, GA; Oorahipac, Bloomington, IN; Orbital ATK Inc. PAC, Arlington, VA; PAC of the Aaos, Washington, DC; PeanutPAC of Alabama, Dothan; Plains Cotton Growers Inc. PAC, Lubbock, TX; Protective Life Corp. PAC, Birmingham; R Senate PAC, Monroe, NC; Raytheon PAC, Arlington, VA; Repy on Your Beliefs Fund, Washington, DC; Republican Jewish Coalition PAC, Washington, DC; Reynolds American PAC, Winston-Salem, NC; Carolanne G. Roberts, Birmingham; John H. Roberts, Birmingham; Rock City PAC, Franklin, TN; Benjamin Russell, Alexander City; William Scherman, Washington, DC; The Boeing Co. PAC, Arlington, VA; The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. PAC, Washington, DC; The Senate Victory Fund PAC, Tupelo, MS; Tomorrow is Meaningful PAC, Charleston, SC; Torchmark Corp. Federal PAC, McKinney, TX; Trinity Industries Employee PAC, Dallas, TX; United States Steel Corp. PAC, Pittsburgh, PA; USPAC, Atlanta, GA; Ven PAC, Gaithersburg, MD; Wells Fargo and Co. Employee PAC, Minneapolis, MN.