Tea Party Candidate Allen West Outraised Florida Incumbent
Republican candidate Allen West, an Iraq war veteran who has caught the attention of multiple conservative and Tea Party groups, for the last quarter outraised the House incumbent he hopes to unseat in November: fundraising powerhouse Ron Klein (D-Fla.).
West reported $677,586 raised from Oct. through Dec., and Klein reported $330,140 raised in the same period, according to year-end Federal Election Commission filings.
When Klein first ran for Congress in 2006, his successful campaign against Republican Rep. Clay Shaw was one of the most expensive congressional races of the year. In the 2008 cycle, Klein raised nearly $4 million for reelection in his Boca Raton-area district. West was the GOP nominee in 2008, but he was defeated by Klein 55 to 45 percent.
Klein still boasts more money raised overall and more cash on hand than West. West raised $1,221,394 total and was left with $707,150 after expenses. Klein raised $1,402,192 total and reported $2,370,674 on hand as of Dec. 31.
