Fischer kicks in half-million, raises half-million more

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Greg Fischer says his campaign finance report will show that he's brought in more than $500,000 from donors in addition to the $510,000 of his own money he pumped into his bid.

The Fischer campaign released those figures Saturday afternoon in advance of the 1st quarter campaign finance report that is due to the Federal Election Commission by April 15.

Fischer, CEO of stadium seating company Dant Clayton Co. and co-inventor of the combination ice/beverage dispenser, has said he would spend his own money to compete. He is making his first run for public office and is trying to close ground between him and his better-known rival Bruce Lunsford, another wealthy Louisville businessman who has run twice for governor. Fischer, Lunsford and five other Democrats square off in the May 20 primary.

The campaign's news release says Fischer's contributions more than tripled from February to March. He has been raising money since Jan. 16. The campaign also received $162,000 through online contributions on Fischer's Web site, according to the campaign's statement.

No word yet on what Lunsford has raised, although Lunsford launched his first ad Friday, which can be seen on his Web site.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in November.

“Dollar by dollar, voter by voter, momentum is growing stronger in every region of the state. We are confident that our campaign is positioned to defeat Bruce Lunsford on May 20 and we have set our sights on ditching Mitch in November,” Fischer said in a statement. “Our contributions and support are multiplying each day. Voters are beginning to realize I am the real Democrat offering real change."

McConnell, who also must reveal his finances later this month, wouldn't tell the Herald-Leader during a brief interview Friday what his campaign money report will show. He had raised more than $10 million before Fischer and Lunsford even entered the race in January.

- Ryan Alessi

Comments

[nothing but the truth]

Fischer has obviously been reading Steve Beshear's epic: "Anatomy of Collossal Political Failure". Which he penned in a little under four months. How else to explain Fischer squandering $500,000 of his own money on a losing political venture.

Only Beshear has squandered more, in less time with more breath taking incompetence than the road Fischer has chosen. It's less than sixty days to the primary and bologna has greater name recognition than Fischer.

The state GOP appreciates all the hard work Beshear and Democrats like Fischer and Jennifer Moore have done to resurrect their sagging fortunes. Great job. Keep up the good work.