Since his surprise upset of Gil Gutknecht in 2006, Congressman Tim Walz's candidate committee has filed post-election reports that show slender balances and some unpaid bills after vigorous campaigns in the swing district.
As he enters his four term, that situation looks to be changing. According to the committee's 2012 post-general report to the Federal Election Commission, Walz had $128.447.39 in the bank on November 26, 2011, where the reporting period ended.
At the same time in the 2009-2010 cycle (amended report)--a Republican wave year during which the Mankato Democrat squeaked out a win over Hayfield's Randy Demmer--Walz enjoyed a cash balance of $23,083.12 with $35,976.83 in unpaid bills. These oblligations were paid by the end of June, 2011, when Walz had $397,556.54 cash on hand.
After Walz's freshman year, he blew Republican Brian Davis out of the water, but closed the campaign with $59,965.27 in bank and no debt, according to the committee's 2008 post-general report.
Walz went for broke in the 2006 upset, reporting $18,759.90 in debts and a $-17568.33 cash balance in an amended filing. All debts were paid and the committee had $452,881.45 by the end of June 2007 in anticipation of what was anticipated to be a close race in 2008.
Quist and Parry reports
Allen Quist's post-election report reveals that the Norseland farmer came nowhere living up to his endorsing convention promise to commit $1 million of his own money to the campaign. Quist gave $205,000.00 to his campaign during the cycle, while lending the committee $315,000.00. Outside of self-funding, the Quist for Congress committee raised $101,214.50 from individual, $4,100.00 from party committees and $14,600.00 from PACs for the cycle.
Quist's primary challenger Mike Parry--who jumped into the race last year with more fanfare and the assistance of then top Minnesota Republican operatives Michael Brodkorb and Ben Golnik--reports having $-1109.85 COH and no debt. The Parry for Congress raised a net $114,560.10 in contributions.
Parry was last spotted touting his dismissed complaints against Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie in a fundraising letter sent out in an attempt to erase his negative balance, following a failed attempt to rejoin the Waseca City EDA.
The Demmer campaign had $92,000.00 in debt remaining according its last FEC report, filed in July. In 2011, the filed a debt settlement plan which stated that the debt, a 2007 loan from the candidate, would be paid by the end of the year.
Photos: Tim Walz (top); Emo Senator Mike Parry (bottom; photoshop by Tild).
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