A state representative has put $295,000 of his own money into his Oct. 19th special election race for U.S. Representative in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District.

Republican Jay Morris reported he loaned his campaign committee $295,000 between 7/1 and 9/29. His committee reported it had receipts of $566,361 and disbursements of $378,009 during the rperiod. The committee had $188,352 cash on hand as of 9/29.

Morris raised $213,641 from 224 itemized contributors from Louisiana, and $20,950 from Texas, among other states. Many of the donors were attorneys, farmers, and business executives. Selected donors included Lev, Eva and Seth Dawson of Dawson Farms -Lev $2,600, others $2,500 each; George Dean and Wood Sparks of Dean Morris LLP $2,600 each; John Landon and David Rich of Landon Homes $2,600 each; among others.

His committee spent $198,467 on media buys and advertising; $57,224 on media consulting; $67,291 on research and surveys; among other expenditures.

Morris is in a crowded field of candidates to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-La., who resigned to become the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.