In a congressional district once considered unwinnable by Democrats, Dist. 10 challenger Larry Joe Doherty is still keeping pace with incumbent Republican Michael McCaul in fundraising. Doherty took in $212,795 in contributions from July 1 to Sept. 30, according to the latest federal campaign finance reports, compared to $219,766 for McCaul. The incumbent also loaned his campaign $60,000 from his own pocket during this period; that makes two consecutive reporting cycles that McCaul loaned himself $60K. Doherty made no loans to himself this period, but kick-started his campaign last year with $100,000 of his own cash.
McCaul has taken in or loaned himself more than $1.3 million over the entire 2007-08 election cycle, and still has $597,740 cash on hand. Doherty has $1,018,316 in total receipts, and still has $220,675 available.
Of Doherty’s total receipts, 83% have come from individuals, 7% from political action committees, and 10% from Doherty himself. Of McCaul’s money, 56% was from individuals, 34% from PACs, and 9% from McCaul.
After the reporting deadline, Doherty was added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” program, which is expected to bring him more financial support.
This article appears in October 10 • 2008.