Incumbent Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-Allegheny) proved the incumbent advantage in raising funds for his campaign, while his opponents who are competing in the Democratic primary, businesswoman Erin McClelland and Col. John A. Hugya slipped behind.
As it stands now, Rothfus has $872,447 on hand, McClelland has $20,847, and Hugya is holding on to $25,469.59.
Keith Rothfus:
Rothfus continued his streak from Q3 in raising a respectable amount of money, managing to rake in $225,940 in the fourth quarter. He only spent $98,295 of that, which comes out to roughly 43% of what he raised.
The third quarter still remains the biggest earner for Rothfus with a whopping total of $381K raised.
He received a great deal of help from various PACs that have declared their support for him, including the Jobs Economy and Budget Fund PAC, which threw in $10,000.
The Patriot Day II Committee is listed as having donated a generous $30,603.79 as well.
As for spending, most of his money went toward fundraising consulting and various meeting and event expenses. He also made several political contributions to the tune of $16,250, with $12,000 of that going to the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Erin McClelland:
At first glance, McClelland had the least impressive quarter of the three candidates. She raised only about $29,804, her biggest donation of $5,200 coming from Oncologist Patrick L. Kane of the UPMC Cancer Center Washington. The PAC of one of her supporters, IBEW, donated $5,000.
She also spent more than she raised, around $33,934, leaving McClelland with a difference of -$4,130.
While her finances may seem like the biggest obstacle standing in the way of her winning the Democratic primary against Hugya, the two Democratic candidates have an even bigger problem that they’ll be facing together: the Cook PVI has rated Pennsylvania’s 12th District R+9, meaning that it leans very much to the right, which is never good news for any Dem in a race.
John Hugya:
Hugya brought in the second largest amount of money, $31,050. While this is a massive improvement on his Q3 report of $225, it means he’s only raised about $32,000 in his campaign so far.
Most of Hugya’s big donations came from individuals, not PACs, with Hugya himself putting $2,000 toward his own campaign. Political consulting was highest on his spending list, totalling $2,500, as part of the $6,278.41 he spent during the fourth quarter, which is still only around 20% of what he raised.
Loading ...
6 Responses
I am a centrist and believe that it is not unpatriotic to compromise. If this state had an open primary, right “wing nuts” like Rothfus and left “wing nuts” like Schwartz wouldn’t win an election and in fact they would be at the bottom of the heap. Get with it–Rothfus is unfit to serve–.
This comment doesn’t come from any DNC focus group…Rothfus IS a joke!
I see the “out of touch” comments often. They are straight from the DNC focus groups. They are hard to use against Congressman Rothfus who is everywhere in the district meeting with many diverse groups.
Rothfus is a Tea Party Obstructionist stooge. A true back bencher without a shread of political or policy making talent. Rothfus is an embarrassment and an accidental congressman. What a joke.
Keith IS in touch with his constituents! He is regularly visiting them -though his frequent ‘Coffee with Keith’ program. I am proud that he voted against the pork-filled Farm Bill. He has succeeded in getting the VA to work for our returning veterans.
He works to reduce our taxes. He is responsible, working with many, for the improving business/job climate in our district. We NEED him to continue -for our district.
It would be a shame if Rothfus wins re-election. Not only is he out of touch with the needs of his constituents, not too mention the country, he is truly unfit to serve. What a sad day for the residents of the PA-12 Congressional District.