Campaign funds rule Senate race

Challenger Ron Klink's lack of funds could limit his future campaigning. For Congressman Ron Klink, victory in the Democratic senatorial primary cost a lot. So much, in fact, that Klink had to mortgage his home to finance his television campaign ads. After beating out five other candidates in April's primary, Klink must face off against incumbent Rick Santorum in a run for the conservative senator's seat in the United States Senate. And according to Santorum's spokesman Rob Traynham, the freshman senator has $3.7 million in cash on hand to finance his campaign. But J.J. Balaban, spokesman for Klink's campaign, said Klink currently has less than half a million in campaign funds. And the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Tuesday that Klink only had $119,162 in funds at the end of March. "That's not unexpected at the end of a heated primary," Balaban explained. Klink may have managed to come out ahead of his toughest challengers, State Senator Allyson Schwartz and former State Secretary of Labor and Agriculture Tom Foley, but Balaban said the primary race cost the campaign around $1.5 million. And with Santorum expecting to raise $12 million, Klink has a lot of catching up to do. "We said that we would have enough money in the primary, and we did," Balaban said, maintaining that Klink will raise enough to run a successful campaign. But Political Science Professor Henry Teune said that Klink is facing an uphill battle in securing the finances necessary to take on Santorum. "The only way he can [fundraise] well is by presenting himself as a candidate that can win," Teune explained. "And how does he do that? By having money -- which he doesn't." "He might be in deep trouble," he added. Balaban said that Klink has already received significant financial offers from several senators and the president, and expressed optimism that unity among the Democratic Party in Pennsylvania would help the congressman's bid. "We have a united party, and that helps," Balaban said. Don Cockler, spokesman for the Democratic State Committee of Pennsylvania, said that while the group remains committed to helping Klink to victory in November's election, it too is limited in terms of funding. "Every chance we get, he'll be one of the spotlighted candidates," Cockler said. "But we have to help all the candidates any way we can. Money's always a limited resource." Balaban said that the congressman and his campaign continues to remain optimistic, noting that the other candidates in April's primary have already endorsed Klink. He also said that much of the money spent in the primary went towards name recognition, which should be helpful in November's general election. Teune, however, said he thinks Klink faces a tough race against Santorum in the next few months, explaining that both candidates share similar stances on a lot of issues, which could work against Klink. Additionally, Teune noted that popular Republican Gov. Tom Ridge -- widely considered to be a top potential running mate for George W. Bush -- could give support to Santorum that could prove to be very helpful. "Ridge can get the big Republicans, and he's going to back Santorum," Teune said. "He can activate the Republican organization and get out the vote."

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