Merkley Campaign Raised $1.42 Million in Second Quarter

Oregon Race is the Hottest in the Country

Jeff Merkley's campaign for U.S. Senate raised more than $1.42 million in the second quarter, three times what the campaign raised during the first three months of the year. The Merkley campaign ended the quarter with more than $560,000 on hand.

Online contributions soared for Merkley over the past three months. The Merkley team raised more than $420,000 online in the second quarter, double the previous three quarters combined.

"As Jeff Merkley's campaign continues to surge, observers are noting that Oregon's senate race is the hottest in the country," said Matt Canter, campaign spokesman. "Gordon Smith is getting more vulnerable by the day and his blatant acts of desperation don't help him."

"Smith is out of touch with Oregon and out of touch with the challenges everyday people face," Canter said. "Jeff Merkley is storming the state traveling to 100 towns across Oregon and building the critical financial and political support he needs to retire Senator Smith."

While Gordon Smith's campaign is fueled by big oil and drug contributors, Merkley's campaign is fueled by everyday Oregonians and Democrats across the country.

* Oregonians from 164 different towns across the state have contributed to Merkley.
* Oregonians from 34 of 36 counties have contributed.
* In all, 3,400 Oregonians have contributed to the campaign.
* More than 70 percent of contributions to Merkley's campaign over the last three months were under $100.
* In addition to thousands of Oregonians, Democrats from all 50 states have contributed to defeat Smith.

Posted July 14, 2008
Press