May 30, 2008-Bismarck Tribune

Hoeven raised $263,665 to Mathern’s $71,095 from the beginning of the year through May 21. This effort comes on top of a 2007 fundraising effort that netted Hoeven more than $1.2 million, giving him about that same amount in cash on hand, compared to $82,190 for Mathern.

The governor’s race was emblematic of other big-money statewide races - public service commissioner and insurance commissioner -where Republicans outraised their Democratic opponents. In smaller money races - state auditor and state treasurer - Democrats outraised their Republican opponents.

Thursday’s pre-primary finance filing deadline provides one of two glimpses into the campaigns’ financial health between now and the election. The second one will come in October.

In the governor’s race, the cash advantage has allowed Hoeven to employ a small full-time staff and have television commercials already up on the air. His advantage came from a wide range of mostly individual contributions, as opposed to business or nonprofit entities, and events such as an early April fundraiser held in Minneapolis with Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Hoeven campaign manager Don Larson said the campaign is right on target with its fundraising goals, and will continue raising “whatever we need” to get Hoeven’s message out to voters.

“We’re going to continue fundraising as aggressively as we know how,” he said.

Mathern said his fundraising take exceeded his goal and that he’s undeterred by his opponent’s large financial advantage.

“I am going to overcome that with hard work, better ideas and the people deciding that they need new leadership,” Mathern said.

Here are the highlights for other statewide races with candidates reporting Thursday:

n In the insurance commissioner’s race, Republican Adam Hamm raised $72,440, outpacing Democratic opponent Jasper Schneider, who raised $35,986.

n In the public service commissioner’s race, Republican Brian Kalk raised $45,701, outpacing Democratic opponent Cheryl Bergian, who raised $19,680.

n In the state treasurer’s race, Democrat Mitch Vance raised $12,841, outpacing Republican incumbent Kelly Schmidt, who raised $4,413. Vance’s campaign has $9,225 cash on hand, compared to $6,928 for Schmidt.

n In the state auditor’s race, Democrat Daryl Splichal raised $8,895, outpacing Republican incumbent Bob Peterson, who raised $200. Splichal’s campaign has $5,616 cash on hand, compared to $1,706 for Peterson.