ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 16, 1996 TAG: 9604160087
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
THE SENATOR'S campaign has $778,000 on hand. GOP challenger Jim Miller's has only $178,000.
U.S. Sen. John Warner holds a commanding fund-raising lead - more than 4-to-1 - over Republican rival Jim Miller, campaign finance data released Monday by both campaigns shows.
With the Republican primary about two months away, Warner's campaign reported a balance of $778,325 at the end of the three-month period ending March 31. Miller's campaign had only $178,321 cash on hand.
Warner raised $483,895 to Miller's $288,816 during the period.
Miller, former budget director under President Reagan, is challenging the three-term incumbent Warner for the GOP nomination. Virginia Republicans will choose their nominee June 11.
``We are comfortable with these figures,'' said Vic Gresham, Miller's campaign manager. ``We've known from the start that we would not be able to match our opponent dollar for dollar, either in raising money or spending it.''
Warner began the reporting period with $848,770 in the bank and had campaign expenses of $560,282 during the three months.
Miller started the reporting period with $65,241 and spent $255,811.
Miller lent his campaign $50,000 and accepted $6,150 from political action committees. Warner accepted $125,400 from PACs.
``I am pleased with the support provided my campaign as reflected in this report,'' Warner said in a statement issued by his campaign.
Miller's contributions were sufficient to sustain momentum, Gresham said.
``We need enough money ... to get Jim Miller's message to the voters,'' he said, `` and we are raising enough to do that.''
In the Democratic contest, businessman Mark Warner reported raising $302,707 in the period, including $96,267 of his own money. He had $301,651 at the start of the quarter and spent $453,777, leaving $152,676.
Former Rep. Leslie Byrne, soundly beaten by Mark Warner in Democratic caucuses held statewide on Saturday and Monday, reported collecting $125,176. She spent $89,884 and had a campaign balance of $35,292.
Overall, Mark Warner has raised a total of $1.1 million - including a $516,000 personal loan to his campaign - and has spent $950,000. Byrne has raised a total of $125,000 and has spent $89,000.
Virginia Democrats will select their U.S. Senate nominee at a convention June 7-8 in Hampton. |By WARREN FISKE| |STAFF WRITER|
RICHMOND - U.S. Sen. John Warner has four times as much money to spend in the spring's Republican primary election than his opponent, former federal budget director Jim Miller.
Warner's campaign said it has $778,000 cash on hand, according to reports filed Monday with the Federal Election Commission in Washington. Miller reported having only $178,000 on hand.
``I am pleased with the support provided to my campaign,'' Warner said. He is hoping the advantage in fund raising will allow him to overwhelm Miller with television advertising during the final weeks before the June 11 primary.
Miller's advisers said their candidate has enough money to win.
``We are comfortable with these figures,'' said campaign manager Vic Gresham. ``We've known from the start that we would not be able to match our opponent dollar for dollar either in raising money or spending it.''
The report showed Warner raised $470,000 during the first three months of the year and spent $542,000. His campaign, in total, has raised $2.25 million and has spent $1.47 million.
Miller raised $289,000 during the first three months of the year - including a $50,000 personal loan to his campaign - and spent $256,000. His campaign, in total, has raised $712,000 and has spent $534,000.
Democrat Mark Warner, who appeared to wrap up his party's nomination at local caucuses on Saturday, reported that his campaign had a balance of $153,000.
Warner said he raised $303,000 during the first three months of the year and spent $454,000. Warner has raised a total of $1.1 million - including a $516,000 personal loan to his campaign - and has spent $950,000.
Former U.S. Rep. Leslie Byrne, who also is seeking the Democratic nomination, reported raising $61,000 during the quarter and spending $75,000. Byrne has raised a total of $125,000 - including a $35,000 personal loan to her campaign - and has spent $89,000.
Virginia Democrats will select their U.S. Senate nominee at a convention June 7-8 in Hampton.
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CONGRESSby CNB