News

McAllister has little cash in his kitty

by Walter Pierce

Incumbency hasn't helped U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister boost his campaign coffers.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Incumbency hasn't helped U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister boost his campaign coffers.

The Republican congressman, who represents Louisiana's 5th District, reported Tuesday he had less than $4,800 in his campaign account when the latest fundraising period wrapped up June 30.

In office less than a year, McAllister initially said he wouldn't run for re-election after a leaked security video showed him kissing a female aide who wasn't his wife. But he announced last month that he will be on the Nov. 4 ballot after all.

He can't point to the scandal and his indecision over re-election for the lackluster fundraising, however. Donations were slow before then. He's raised $186,000 for the upcoming race.

McAllister largely self-financed his previous election bid and says he's willing to pour more money into his campaign.