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Alexander Snyder-Mackler
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-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Rogalsky <joerogalsky@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Oct 2010 08:35:53
To: Beau<261penn@gmail.com>; Donilon Mike<acdonilon@aol.com>; Ted Kaufman<tedkaufman@comcast.net>; Alexander Snyder-Mackler<smacklera@gmail.com>
Subject: B-1 artice on Beau's fundraising

Delaware politics: Attorney General Beau Biden amasses $828,000 war chest

Money could help other Democrats

By GINGER GIBSON • The News Journal• October

9, 2010


Attorney General Beau Biden raised more than $828,000 in the past year in
his bid for re-election, pulling in more than all other candidates for
non-federal statewide seats combined.


Democrat Biden, who faces no opposition from a Republican, spent more than
half of that total on campaign expenses, including four full-time staffers
and office space on the Wilmington Riverfront.


"That's a surprising amount," Delaware State University political science
professor Sam Hoff said.


"That's an amount for which he could feasibly use it for something other
than just the narrow confines of the attorney general race. He's setting
that up as a way to help others or he has more immediate national ideas."


Hoff said Biden's ability to raise money could make him a "kingmaker" or the
Democratic version of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who has been giving a
boost to tea party candidates nationwide.


"His own popularity, networking and connections can raise funds for others,"
Hoff said.


Biden's spokesman, Joe Rogalsky, said the large sums shouldn't be read as a
sign that he is going to run for higher office in the near future.


"Biden said he was going to take nothing for granted and run a full-scale
campaign and that's what we're doing," Rogalsky said. "He has said many
times he's focused on running for re-election and helping the rest of the
ticket."


Biden could not be reached for comment late Friday evening.


Biden's only opponent, Doug Campbell, picked up the endorsement of the
Independent Party of Delaware and did not have a fundraising report on file
with the Department of Elections on Friday. State law required they be
postmarked by Wednesday. Campbell did not return calls seeking a comment.


Biden, the son of Vice President Joe Biden, carried over only about $91,000
from the previous year, the bulk of which he spent with the National Guard
in Iraq. Biden toyed with the idea of running for the U.S. Senate this year
in the special election to fill the seat once held by his father, but
announced in the spring he would seek re-election instead.


Biden has spent more than $489,000 in the past year from his campaign fund.
His expenses also include $5,787 in U.S. Airways tickets, $2,500 in Amtrak
tickets and $37,200 to the Democratic National Committee itemized as travel.


His expenses also include rent, utilities, communication services and sign
printing.


The other candidates for statewide office, excluding those running for
congressional seats, did not doas well as Biden.


In the race for the treasurer's office, Republican state Sen. Colin Bonini
raised nearly $112,000 this year, adding to the $95,000 he started the year
with. After expenses, Bonini entered the last month of the election with
about $66,400.


"I feel very blessed that so many people have made contributions," Bonini
said. "We're still working hard on fundraising."


His Democratic opponent, Chip Flowers, raised nearly $6,000 beginning the
week before the primary, but loaned his campaign more money -- a total of
$65,942 -- after taking into account reimbursements for some of his earlier
loans.


Flowers defeated sitting Treasurer Velda Jones-Potter in the Sept. 14
primary.


Counting funds Flowers carried over from the primary campaign, he goes into
the last month of the campaign with $98,810 in cash.


"Our fundraising philosophy is very simple. We're not going to take money
unless we need it," Flowers said.


In the race for the auditor's office, incumbent Republican Tom Wagner raised
about $26,500 this year. Given his carryover and expenses, he enters the
last month of the campaign with $26,955 in cash.


"I hate raising money with a passion," Wagner said. "I can come up with any
excuse in the world to not call someone for money."


But Wagner said he is not worried about having enough money to get his name
out during the last weeks of the election.


His Democratic challenger, Richard Korn, raised about $9,600 and loaned his
campaign $28,000 since the second week of September. Korn defeated fellow
Democrat Ken Matlusky in the Sept. 14 primary.


With carryover and expenses, Korn has about $19,000 going into the last
month of the campaign.


"This is a tough year to raise money and I'm very pleased with all of those
who have been able to step up to the plate and help me," Korn said. "The
Senate race and the congressional race are the ones that everyone watches.
But this is a race that affects everyone directly."