South Carolina: Wilson Campaign Shares the Wealth
Rep. Joe Wilson (R) raised $416,000 during the fourth quarter of 2009 — nowhere near the $2.7 million his campaign brought in the wake of his September outburst during a joint session of Congress, but still a hefty sum as far as House campaigns go.
But while the Wilson campaign was raising that money, it was burning through cash at a furious pace.
From October to December, Wilson’s campaign spent more than $672,000. That total includes nearly $150,000 paid to various political consultants during the quarter, including nearly $92,000 to the New York-based David All Group for online advertising and consulting work.
Wilson’s team spent in excess of $140,000 on the high-cost but high-reward strategy of direct-mail fundraising during the fourth quarter. The campaign also gave $25,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee and another $25,000 contribution to the South Carolina Republican Party.
Wilson’s campaign reported more than $2.3 million in cash on hand as of Dec. 31.
The campaign of Wilson’s Democratic opponent, retired Marine and Iraq War veteran Rob Miller, which had brought in $1.7 million during the third quarter, raised about $227,000 during the fourth quarter but spent $223,000. Miller had about $1.7 million in the bank as of Dec. 31.