Wetterling Letter of Thanks

04/16/2005

Dear Friends,

Today, I am filing my first financial report with the Federal Elections Commission.  Thanks to your support, the report will show us raising nearly $330,000 from over 4,200 donors in just three weeks of fundraising!  I’m both humbled and inspired to experience this outpouring of grassroots support from everyday people in every corner of this state.

We’re off to a great start! 

See the below press release for more information on our FEC report. 

Thanks again!
Patty Wetterling

WETTERLING FOR SENATE: IN JUST THREE SHORT WEEKS, A WHOPPING $330,000

Advocate for Minnesota Families Has Over 4,200 Donors and
Clear Lead in Polls as She Begins Campaign for United States Senate

St. Paul – With a recent statewide poll confirming she is the strongest candidate to defeat Republican Mark Kennedy in the November 2006 race for US Senate, child and family advocate Patty Wetterling has received nearly $330,000 from over 4,200 donors in just three weeks of initial fund-raising for her Senate bid.

In her first campaign finance report filed with the Federal Election Commission and made available to the public today, Wetterling showed $329,876.46 raised from 4,228 donors – for an average contribution of $78.74.

“The generosity of so many Minnesotans is an expression of their faith in me to bring a fresh approach and a citizen’s perspective to the United States Senate, and I am profoundly grateful to have their trust and confidence,” Wetterling said.

“I’m both humbled and inspired to experience this outpouring of support from everyday people in every corner of this state.”

During three weeks of fundraising in March, Wetterling for Senate raised more than $52,000 from internet donors alone, a sign of Wetterling’s formidable grassroots support.

In 2004, during her first-ever campaign for public office, Wetterling raised nearly $2 million in just six months as a candidate for Congress from Minnesota’s 6th District.

In late-February, a statewide survey of likely general election voters by The Mellman Group found Wetterling beating presumed GOP Senate nominee Mark Kennedy 47%-38%—a nine-point margin. 

For her years of advocacy on behalf of children and families, Wetterling – a mother and public school math teacher – was known by more than 75% of voters in the statewide survey. 

By contrast, two other potential DFL Senate candidates, Amy Klobuchar and Mike Ciresi, were recognized by fewer than half of those polled.