The two state legislators vying for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao both dug into their war chests in April, May and June to keep pace with the incumbent on campaign spending, according to Federal Election Commission reports filed this week.
State Rep. Cedric Richmond actually outspent the Congressman by about $20,000, doling out $113,293 to Cao’s $91,444 in expenditures. State Rep. Juan LaFonta was right behind Cao with $90,672 in spending.
Cao, however, was the only one of the three candidates to raise more than he spent and grow his war chest in the second quarter, receiving $139,304 to finish with $359,106 in the bank. Richmond raised $84,695 to finish with $250,222, and LaFonta raised $66,809, dropping his campaign account to $30,407 heading into July and the Aug. 28 Democratic primary.
The Richmond campaign is also carrying $170,631 in debt. He has loaned his campaign about $150,000 of his own money, and the remainder is to various campaign consulting and advertising businesses.
Neither of the other two Democratic candidates or three independents also running in the 2010 Congressional election have filed reports yet.
Both Democrats drew a smattering of support from Uptown-area donors. Donors listed in Richmond’s report:
- Frank DeSalvo Jr., $2,400
- Arthur G.M. Wisdom, $150
- Jason Coleman, $125
- Kris Pottharst (New Orleans Food and Farm Network), $25
- Sylvia Warren (Uptown Area Senior Adult Ministry), $25
- Arthur Murray (Murray Law Firm), $2,400
- Jason Waguespack (Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr, and Smith law firm), $500
- Judith M. Smith, $250
- Sara Orton (CH2MHILL), $250
