Price tag for 2010 governor’s race: over $16 million

The two major party candidates issued news releases today about campaign fundraising.  

The campaign of  Republican gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad released the following information at 9:44 a.m. via email:

Branstad tops 13,000 contributors
Raises $2.1 million in latest report
Has over $842,000 in cash on hand heading into final two weeks

(URBANDALE) – The Governor Branstad 2010 campaign today announced that it has 13,189 contributors in the latest campaign finance disclosure report filed last Friday, October 15.

The report shows the Branstad 2010 campaign raising $2,083,515.89 from July 15- Oct. 14. Additionally, the campaign has a healthy $842,369.57 cash on hand as it enters the final two weeks.

“We are excited to have a broad base of overwhelming support throughout Iowa,” said Branstad 2010 campaign manager Jeff Boeyink. “Terry Branstad’s message of job creation and fixing Iowa government is clearly resonating with Iowans. This support, along with our continued fundraising efforts, will allow us to run a strong, robust campaign through election day.”

Thus far, the Branstad 2010 campaign has raised $7,641,775.77 in total campaign contributions for the 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

“This level of support comes as a result of Terry Branstad’s commitment to visit every Iowa county, share his vision at colleges and universities across the state, and earn the support of thousands of Iowans across the state by sharing his positive message for job creation and education,” said Boeyink.

The campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver released the following information via email at 12:33 p.m.

Governor Culver Beats Branstad in Overall Fundraising
Culver raises $8 million during 2010 election cycle

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver’s campaign has raised more than Terry Branstad’s during the 2010 election cycle, the Culver/Judge Campaign announced today. Governor Culver has raised more than $8 million this cycle.

“Governor Culver’s message of jobs, preschool and renewable energy has inspired Iowans, and so despite the pollsters and pundits, he has maintained his financial advantage over Terry Branstad,” said Culver Campaign Manager Donn Stanley. “The recent developments confirming a balanced state budget, a large surplus and a forecast of economic growth will put Governor Culver over the top.”

The Culver campaign began this reporting period (July 15-Oct. 14, 2010) with more cash on hand: $2.8 million to Branstad’s $1.5 million. Combining cash on hand available on July 14, 2010 and the money raised since then, the Culver campaign has outdistanced the Branstad campaign $4.1 million to $3.6 million.

In this period alone, the Culver campaign has raised more than $1.3 million and has more than $500,000 cash on hand.

“The difference between our cash-on-hand number and Branstad’s is because by Oct. 14 our campaign had already purchased television advertising through the election, while the Branstad campaign had not, simply to bolster their cash-on-hand number for this report,” Stanley said. “This is more of the same dishonesty from the Branstad campaign. They are clearly playing shell games to try to appear financially stronger than they actually are.”

“Governor Culver is poised to finish the election strong,” Stanley continued. “We’ve closed the fundraising and polling gaps because there is no enthusiasm gap in Iowa. Governor Culver has the resources, he has the record, and he has the momentum to win this race.”