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January 27, 2010

O’Brien raises $206K in ’09 for House run

Campaign head: Lackawanna County official to face big cash gap versus Kanjorski.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O’Brien raised more than $200,000 in 2009 for his race to win the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District.

According to his most recent Federal Election Commission report, O’Brien raised $206,150 in 2009 and ended the year with $109,456 cash on hand.

No other candidates in the 11th District have filed their financial reports with the FEC. The deadline for filing 2009 fourth-quarter reports is Friday.

Justin Carroll, O’Brien’s campaign manager, said he is encouraged by the fundraising efforts to date.

“Corey’s opponent will soon announce that he has over $2 million for his campaign – the majority of which came from Wall Street,” Carroll said. “But we are going to counter those special interests with contributions from people and groups who are sick of the tone in Washington and want to replace old-style politics with new-style leadership. These fundraising efforts will be crucial in returning this congressional seat to its rightful owners – the people.”

Carroll said he expects O’Brien to be outspent by 13-term incumbent Democrat Paul Kanjorski in the May primary race.

“Corey believes that the people of this district are going to stand up against corporate greed and special interests and that they will mobilize to elect someone to represent their needs, not cater to the needs of Wall Street,” he said.

Ed Mitchell, spokesman for Kanjorski, declined comment for this story. Kanjorski has not yet announced whether he will seek a 14th term.

Ken Christensen, a Washington, D.C.-based fundraising consultant for O’Brien, said the Lackawanna County commissioner is well-funded at this early time in the campaign.

According to a release from the O’Brien camp, Carroll said the Democratic challenger is “well ahead” of the pace set by past congressional challengers in the region.

Carroll said O’Brien has relied heavily on individual “Main Street” donors and he has received contributions from more than 350 individuals.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7218.

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