Jeff Merkley posted an impressive third quarter haul today. He’s up and running, and he’s getting a warm, nay, hot reception. The details:
- $294,000 total haul, which started midway through the third quarter, $240k of which came in September
- 720 total donors
- 583 of them Oregonians
- 458 online contributions for a total of $60,444 raised online
And this is only the first six weeks or so of the Merkley campaign. We can expect bigger and better things after Labor Day, of course, as things have really picked up. Traditionally, the third quarter reflects a summer slump in fundraising, but the filling rate of Merkley’s campaign coffers has gone only up, up and up since his announcement in August, with a $240k surge in September.
Remember, people, Early Money Is Like Yeast (or that’s what the people at EMILY’s List think, anyways). And no, I’m not going to say that anybody was ’smoked’ or ‘rocked’ or make any inciting comment about ‘outsider’ candidates, unlike some campaigns and blogs.
Just the facts, ma’am.
update: Merkley spokesman Russ Kelley had this to say-
“People are really responding to Jeff’s message of opportunity and his solid record of accomplishment,” campaign spokesman Russ Kelley said. “This is a clear sign that Oregonians are ready for a change. They’ve already helped Jeff bring in nearly $300,000 in a half of a quarter of fundraising. But most importantly, they’re helping this campaign build the kind of strong grassroots organization it’s going to take to defeat Gordon Smith and his special interest money machine.”
