The Federal Election Commission has released its latest quarterly campaign fundraising statistics and in the 9th District Congressional race, incumbent Bill Shuster has out-raised challenger Michael DelGrosso by a more than 2-1 margin.
In the latest statistics, Shuster raised $99,500 in the months April through June while DelGrosso has raised $41,984.99.
DelGrosso noted in a press release that 100 percent of his campaign contributions have come from individuals as opposed to political action committees (PACs) or other candidate committees.
“The support is overwhelming,” said DelGrosso of the financial support his campaign is receiving. “Nearly 300 individuals have contributed to the campaign in just three short months. Those contributions have ranged from $10 to $20,000, the maximum allowed by the FEC.”
Of the contributions to the DelGrosso campaign, 82 percent have come from people residing in the 9th Congressional District.
“I think it is a testament to the hard working people of the 9th District,” said DelGrosso. “They want a change in Congress, and it shows by the level of support that we have received.”
DelGrosso has raised more money from individuals in the past quarter than Shuster. The incumbent has raised $35,350 from individuals and an additional $64,400 from PACs.
“I have been very happy with the response we have received,” said DelGrosso. When asked if the campaign has finalized a budget for the campaign, the challenger said, “we have not finalized a budget, but we expect it to be in the ballpark of several hundred thousand dollars.”
The average donation to the DelGrosso campaign has been between $50 and $75 dollars.
“We are getting people to sign up for ‘in home’ fundraisers,” said DelGrosso. “It is a good way for people to invite their friends and have a close meeting with me and learn my views. It is a great chance to spend time with hard workers and meet the voters in the 9th District. We are having one in Bedford, one in Waynesboro and one in State College in the next few weeks.”
DelGrosso is going to the voters to spread their message.
“So far I have knocked on the doors of over 1,600 probable Republican primary voters,” said DelGrosso. “I have been to Indiana, Somerset, North Middleton Township, Peters Township and McConnelsburg to name some of the places. People respond when a candidate for Congress takes the time to knock on their door.”
The Shuster camp is taking the DelGrosso challenge seriously.
“We take every challenge seriously,” said Angelo Terrana, spokesperson for Congressman Shuster. “We have just begun the fundraising process and we are happy with how it has begun. At the end of the day, the 9th District is a huge geographical area that covers four media markets. The Congressman is facing an opponent that doesn’t have a job, He is a full-time candidate and comes from a very rich family.
“We will make sure that as we begin the process that Congressman Shuster’s message of growing the economy and creating jobs is heard,” Terrana added. “We will raise enough money to run a robust campaign. The center of the campaign is a grass roots effort that we have launched since the first time Bill has run for Congress.”
Shuster and DelGrosso will face off in the May 2004 primary election.
