Fulton Outpaces Competition in Fundraising

Omaha World Herald | By Nemaha County Herald on April 13th, 2010

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman has continued to beef up his war chest this year, setting him on pace to hit the $2 million mark.

The Republican raised $408,000 during the first three months of the year for a total of $1.6 million collected for his re-election bid.

Reports filed Monday also showed that the three-way race for the GOP nomination for state treasurer remains competitive.

Heineman’s opponent, Omaha businessman and political newcomer Mark Lakers, declined to release his fundraising numbers Monday, the deadline for state candidates to file or mail campaign reports to the State Accountability and Disclosure Commission.

A Democrat, Lakers jumped into the race in mid-February. He has said that he would lend his campaign $50,000 and that he hoped to reach $300,000 in this time period.

The reports that were due Monday cover the period from Jan. 1 through April 6.

Heineman said his efforts to raise money underscore his determination to work the race like an underdog. “We’re not taking anything for granted.”

He also said he isn’t finished raising money. “I’m going to prepare for a race that could cost two to three million dollars.”

In the treasurer’s race, former Attorney General Don Stenberg, State Sen. Tony Fulton and former State Patrol Superintendent Tom Nesbitt are competing for the right to succeed outgoing State Treasurer Shane Osborn.

Fulton led the race for cash, raising a total of $81,000 for his campaign. That included $29,000 during this quarter. Stenberg was close behind with $61,000, including $43,000 raised this quarter.

Nesbitt followed with a total of $40,000, including $19,000 raised this quarter.