In Florida, West Has Fundraising Success

Florida Republican congressional candidate Allen West’s fundraising machine continues to churn.

West, a retired Army officer and Iraq war veteran who is trying to unseat Democratic Rep. Ron Klein, announced on Thursday that he had raised $1.6 million in third-quarter campaign funds — an astonishing sum that surpasses his $1.4 million second-quarter total.

[West recently headed a demonstration outside Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas in support of the "Leavenworth 10," former military personnel serving time for alleged war crimes. Among them is Edmond's 1st Lt. Michael Behenna.]

[Wilson Research Strategies of Oklahoma City and Washington is West's pollster.]

The Republican has emerged as a fundraising powerhouse, raking in more than $5.4 million so far for his campaign. Klein, who has yet to announce his third-quarter figures, had raised $2.5 million though Aug. 4. West’s second-quarter takeaway was the highest of any GOP non-incumbent candidate so far.

In a statement announcing his haul, West noted that “over 97 percent of our donations have come from individual contributions." His campaign said the average contribution was about $78.

West, a tea party favorite who has won the backing of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, was outspent by nearly $1.8 million during a failed 2008 bid to oust Klein. During that matchup, Klein won handily.

Read more at http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43628.html#ixzz12PxZjYw6.

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