Obermueller raises $252K for race against Kline

Posted at 10:29 AM on July 9, 2012 by Brett Neely
Filed under: Campaign 2012, Campaign 2012: U.S. House, Campaign 2012: U.S. MN CD2

WASHINGTON - Mike Obermueller, the DFL candidate vying to unseat Republican John Kline in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, raised $252,976 in the first two months of his campaign. As of June 30, the Obermueller campaign reports having $214,404 in the bank.

While the 2nd District has been a Republican stronghold since Kline first won his seat in 2002, Democrats believe that the district's new boundaries will be friendlier to them this election cycle. The district has been added to the national Democrats' list of potential swing seats and Obermueller's campaign is getting fundraising support and logistical help from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Still, Kline, who also serves as the chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, has a significant financial advantage over Obermueller. Last Friday, Kline's campaign reported raising $428,000 and has about $1.3 million in its campaign war chest.

Outside groups are also signalling that they will also get involved in the 2nd District contest. The Service Employees International Union and House Majority PAC, which both back Democratic candidates, announced plans last week to reserve $900,000 in airtime in the Twin Cities media market which could be spent on the Kline-Obermueller race, as well as the 8th District and contests in Wisconsin.

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