Politics

Murkowski and Young pile up cash ahead of election fights

WASHINGTON -- Alaska's incumbent lawmakers up for re-election -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young -- hold strong fundraising totals as they each prepare to take on challengers.

Both lawmakers submitted quarterly reports to the Federal Election Commission on Friday, detailing fundraising from the start of the year through March 31.

Murkowski raised about $700,000 in the first quarter of this year, according to her campaign. She has $3.4 million on hand, up from $3.1 million at the start of the year. Murkowski's fundraising totals far outpace previous efforts by Senate candidates in Alaska, a feat more easily managed given her position chairing the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Young had $606,984 on hand as of March 31. Young raised $88,600 during the first three months of this year, according to campaign spokesman Matt Shuckerow.

Both lawmakers have a substantial lead on competitors.

Democrat Steve Lindbeck, who announced plans to challenge Young earlier this month, won't file fundraising totals for several months.

Bob Lochner, a Republican from Wasilla who plans to challenge Murkowski, reported raising just $110, well short of paying back his $12,100 campaign loan.

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Margaret Stock, who has not yet filed fundraising information with the FEC, is challenging Murkowski as an independent, and consequently must collect 2,854 signatures to land on the November ballot.

Murkowski's campaign has exceeded fundraising goals, according to her Deputy Campaign Manager Rachel Kallander. "Thanks to Lisa's supporters, this historic cash-on-hand total will give our campaign a significant advantage as we continue to fight for Alaska by standing up to the federal overreach that holds our economy back and impacts the lives and safety of Alaskans," Kallander said.

Erica Martinson

Erica Martinson is Alaska Dispatch News' Washington, DC reporter, and she covers the legislation, regulation and litigation that impact the Last Frontier.  Erica came to ADN after years as a reporter covering energy at POLITICO. Before that, she covered environmental policy at a DC trade publication and worked at several New York dailies.

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