Serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis. © James Conner.

 

8 January 2014

Flathead Memo: Lewis proves fundraising prowess

lewis_150h

Democrat candidate for the U.S. House John Lewis is raising the kind of money it takes to win an election. As of 1 January 2014 he had raised $396,000, reports the Missoulian, and had $328,000 in the bank.

Both the amount raised and the low burn rate are encouraging metrics, indicating his campaign is moving full speed ahead while conserving resources. In 2012 several Democratic house hopefuls burned through their cash like besotted sailors at a house of ill repute.

Lewis believes he’ll need $2 million to be competitive. I don’t think that’s enough. As I observed last month, I think he needs $4–5 million, so he needs to shout Hallelujah! and pass the plate almost every waking moment. He also needs a primary opponent so he can hit up donors for double the money.

His road to victory is long, hard, and strewn with conservative voters, but so far he’s making good progress and avoiding the potholes. Democrats should be more than a little encouraged.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Note on the graph. I’ll be presenting fundraising totals in 2014 dollars throughout the campaign.

Democrats should be happy with Lewis. Feel free to sing along.