2010 means new year for political fundraising
The Minnesota DFL and Republican parties tell different stories when it comes their 2009 fundraising.
The numbers aren't yet final, but Minnesota Republican Party leaders said 2009 will be a record non-election fundraising year.
In contrast, last year was the Minnesota DFL's toughest for fundraising in a decade.
Minnesota GOP chairman Tony Sutton said the Senate recount battle spurred the giving. Republican concerns about taxes and spending in a Democratically-controlled Congress have also led to more donations, he said.
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"The party that's out of power, its supporters have more motivation to try to get back in power so they give more money," Sutton said. "I think you saw that in 2008 with the left wing of the Democratic party was very motivated to get out and give money and I think you're seeing right now the opposite effect when now the GOP base is more motivated."
Brian Melendez, chairman of the state DFL party, said the Senate recount battle took funds that would have otherwise been donated to the state party. Fundraising picked up in the final quarter of 2009, but Melendez said the economy might have something to do with lower overall fundraising totals.
"We have not seen a drop off in the number of contributors, just in the size of contributions," he said. "The same people were giving in 2009 as in prior years, they were just giving a little bit less."
Both parties have to contend with a drop in donations related Governor Pawlenty's decision to eliminate funds for the state political contribution refund program.
A new year of fundraising began Friday, with a few new limits on the amount of money candidates can take in.
For state candidates, the 2010 brings larger contribution limits. In 2009, candidates for governor couldn't take checks above $500. In 2010, they can accept up to $2,000 a pop. Donors who gave the maximum in 2009 can give again to the same candidates in 2010.
Federal candidates can accept $2,400 per individual donor.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)