WALZ OUTPACES GUTKNECHT BY $22,000
04/17/2006
Strong first quarter filing number catapults Walz into the ranks of most competitive challengers in the nation.
MANKATO, Minn—DFL congressional candidate Tim Walz filed first quarter fundraising numbers with the Federal Election Commission over the weekend. Walz, who has been campaigning since the beginning of 2005, raised more money during the first quarter of 2006 than his opponent, six-term incumbent Gil Gutknecht. Walz raised $127,024 between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2006. Total receipts to date for the campaign are $245,260 for the 2006 election cycle.
Approximately 80 percent of the money raised during the first quarter came from individual donors; more than two-thirds of those were from contributions under $25.00. Walz is also gaining strong support among labor unions, with endorsements and contributions from unions, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), AFSCME and the Laborer’s Union.
“The momentum I feel every day on the campaign trail is incredible, but I am still surprised at how well that momentum coincides with this quarter’s fundraising totals,” commented Walz. “People are frustrated in general with the Administration, the rubberstamp Congress and in particular with my opponent. Minnesotans hear me talk about the issues that are on their minds – Iraq, the economy and healthcare and they know I’m not afraid to tackle the tough issues. Even though they haven’t seen an increase in real wages in years, people are donating what they can because they believe that together we can bring about change.”
“Tim Walz’s fundraising numbers are strong evidence that he is not just a well-qualified candidate and a good fit for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, they prove that he has strong grassroots support from Minnesota families who are ready for change” commented Democratic Congressional Campaign communications director Bill Burton. “Tim’s fundraising success tells us that Minnesotans are tired of rubberstamp representation and eager to send an independent, man of the people like Tim Walz to Washington.”
The Walz campaign ended the quarter with $124,452 cash on hand.
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Meredith Salsbery