Friends of Mary Landrieu today announced that the incumbent Democratic senator raised more than $1.5 million during the second quarter of 2008 -- what the re-election campaign committee claims is a state record for any U.S. senator seeking re-election.
"Sen. Landrieu's strong fund raising shows that her support is widespread and crosses party lines," Landrieu campaign manager Jay Howser says. "Republicans, independents and Democrats from Shreveport to Lake Charles, from Monroe to Grand Isle and everywhere in between know that Sen. Landrieu fights and wins for Louisiana."
Landrieu's campaign has more than $5.4 million in the bank, doubling the cash on hand of her opponent, state Treasurer John Kennedy. Both Landrieu and Kennedy, who switched from the Democratic to Republican Party last year, say they will qualify on Friday.
Update: The Kennedy campaign says it bested Landrieu's $1.5 million by raising $1.51 million in the second quarter. "We also set fund-raising records by raising the most amount of money of any Senate challenger," says Lenny Alcivar, Kennedy's communications director.