Two GOP Recruits Post Strong Fundraising Numbers

By Josh Kraushaar

(The Politico)  Two first-time Republican candidates posted impressive fundraising numbers over the last three months, according to second quarter figures released by their campaigns.

Concrete magnate Marty Ozinga III raised about $800,000 from individual donors in his bid to succeed retiring Rep. Jerry Weller (R-Ill.) -- and is poised to be near the top of all Republican candidates in fundraising this quarter. His Democratic opponent, state Senate President Debbie Halvorson, has been one of the top Democratic fundraisers as well, banking $679,000 at the end of March. She has not yet released her latest fundraising numbers.

Ozinga also has the capability of pouring in his own finances into the race, but has previously said that he would not spend more than $350,000 of his own money on the campaign.

Another standout fundraising performance comes from Paulsen, the former Minnesota state House Majority Leader. He announced that he raised over $600,000 in the second quarter, giving him $1.1 million cash-on-hand. His Democratic opponent, Iraq war veteran Ashwin Madia, only reported $187,000 in his campaign account at the end of March.