Cash up in House race

• By SARAH CHACKO
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Aug 28, 2008 - Page: 18A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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With two months to go, the amount of cash candidates in the 6th U.S. Congressional District race have on hand falls short as a bellwether on how candidates are faring.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Cazayoux, D-New Roads, is facing two challengers for the seat he has held for almost four months — state Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, and state Rep. Michael Jackson, No Party-Baton Rouge.

For the reporting period July 1 to Aug. 17, Cazayoux received around $71,725 in individual contributions and $95,750 from political committees. Cassidy received $133,115 in individual contributions and $25,000 from political committees. Jackson received $13,750 from individuals and $1,500 from political committees.

For the entire election cycle, Cazayoux has raised more than $2 million; Cassidy, $370,665; and Jackson, $16,250.

Cassidy’s campaign manager Chris Ingram and Jackson said Wednesday their contributions have increased since that reporting period ended — Ingram puts Cassidy at breaking $500,000 in contributions with about $440,000 cash on hand, and Jackson said his campaign also received significantly more contributions and has about $35,000 on hand.

Jackson said in his previous campaigns, he never raised as much money as his opposition. And in this election, he won’t have to spend as much either, particularly for name recognition in the Baton Rouge-based district, he said.

“Some don’t have as strong as a basis as we do. It’s more of a guessing game for them,” Jackson said. “We believe that we’re going to get the effect that we need to get. We’re not as bad off as some people think just by looking at the numbers.”

After the last reporting period, Cazayoux was left with the least cash on hand.

Though Cazayoux raised more money than his opponents, he also spent more, including more than $157,000 on media and phone banks, according to the most recent campaign finance reports.

“I think that where we are financially is exactly where we expected to be,” said Cazayoux’s campaign manager Katie Nee.

Cazayoux was not available for comment Wednesday. He left with a congressional delegation on Monday to visit Iraq and Afghanistan.

Cassidy did not return a request for comment.

Ingram said Cassidy’s television advertisements should be going up soon.