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Udall laps Schaffer in spending

Democrat tops rival $5.2 million to $1.9 million

By Burt Hubbard, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 16, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Bob Schaffer, left, and Mark Udall wave to the crowd before beginning a debate last week.

Bob Schaffer, left, and Mark Udall wave to the crowd before beginning a debate last week.

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Democrat Mark Udall outspent his Republican opponent Bob Schaffer by almost 3-to-1 in the third quarter in the race for Colorado's open U.S. Senate seat.

Campaign finance reports filed Wednesday showed that Udall spent $5.2 million between July 24 and Sept. 30, while Schaffer spent $1.9 million.

The reports show that Udall also raised more money than Schaffer for the period, but not by much - $2.5 million vs. $1.7 million.

For the entire campaign, Udall has raised about $10 million, compared with $6.6 million for Schaffer. Udall has spent $10.7 million during the campaign, while Schaffer has spent $3.9 million.

Schaffer had a lot more money in the bank - $2.7 million compared with $546,000 for Udall.

Both candidates received a majority of their latest contributions from individuals.

Schaffer's campaign took in $278,000 from political action committees, including business interests, the energy industry and groups promoting social causes.

Big oil and unions

PACs for Chevron and Conoco Phillips each gave Schaffer $10,000, while Williams Cos. contributed $6,000 and Haliburton gave $2,000 through their PACs.

Schaffer's other contributions included $500 from the Government is Not God PAC, $5,000 from the Freedom and Democracy PAC, $5,000 from the National Pro-Life Alliance PAC and $5,000 from the National Conservative Campaign.

Schaffer also received $5,000 from the National Right to Life PAC and $5,000 from the National Right to Work PAC, $2,500 from the Business Industry PAC, $5,000 from Public Super Markets PAC and $1,000 from Pepsico PAC.

Schaffer received $250 from former state House speaker Lola Spradley, $300 from state Sen. Nancy Spence, $2,300 apiece from Coors executive John Coors and his wife, Sharna, and $2,000 from actor Ted Hartley of the television series Peyton Place.

Udall took in $310,223 from political action committees representing unions, health care associations, corporate interests, energy companies, Indian tribes and progressive causes.

In the quarter, Udall raised at least $1,000 each from committees representing the American Federation of Teachers, AFL- CIO COPE, Bakery/Confectionary Workers union, International Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers, International Longshore and Warehouse Union, International Theatrical Stage Employees, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Ironworkers Political Action League, the National Association of Postal Supervisors, the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education, SEIU COPE, United Mine Workers and other unions.

Udall also received at least $1,000 each from the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund, NARAL/Pro-Choice America PAC and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare PAC, Progressive Voters of America and the Progressive Patriots Fund.

Businesses and tribes

In addition, Udall got money from business groups, including more than $1,000 apiece from PACs affiliated with Abbott Laboratories Employees, Liberty Media Corp., DuPont, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, National Farmers Union, communications companies Qualcomm and Qwest, Sallie Mae, energy companies such as Constellation Energy, Edison International, Invenergy, WindPAC, and Florida Power & Light.

Tribes that donated more than $1,000 to Udall included the Barona Band of Mission Indians, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community.

Udall's contributions from individuals included $500 from Sara Adler of the New Israel Fund; $250 from television and documentary producer Josh Aron; $1,000 from William Bartholomay, chairman emeritus of the Atlanta Braves baseball team; small contributions from Presbyterian ministers Bruce McQueen, of Lyons, and Mark Meeks, of Bailey; $2,300 from artist Friedrike Merck, of New York; contributions from Newmont Mining executives and from dozens of attorneys.