Raj Goyle, Mike Pompeo campaign contributions arrive from near and far

Raj Goyle and Mike Pompeo have raised nearly $4 million total in their efforts to replace U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt. And the race is drawing more out-of-state money than at any time in recent memory.

Pompeo had raised $2,011,062 since January 2009, according to reports filed Oct. 13. Goyle had raised $1,716,794.

Businesses, special interest groups and people from Hawaii to Washington, D.C., have backed the two candidates with nearly $1.5 million, federal campaign data shows.

The out-of-state cash is largely going to Democratic candidate Goyle, whose campaign has received $1,062,007 from outside Kansas, according to an Eagle analysis of reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Pompeo, a Republican, received $415,876 from outside the state.

In Kansas, Pompeo has drawn the most money, with $1,289,458 to Goyle's $513,005.

Goyle had a greater number of people giving smaller amounts to his campaign, with 2,230 contributions from Kansas to Pompeo's 1,393.

The average donation to Goyle was $442.67. Pompeo's average was $997.27.

"We have a much higher number of Kansas donors," Goyle said.

Rodger Woods, Pompeo's campaign manager, said he thinks Pompeo has a greater number of donations from Kansas but that Pompeo's small, unitemized contributions aren't represented in federal data.

"I think we're really seeing a lot of enthusiasm both in fundraising and at parades and folks making phone calls and talking to neighbors," he said.

Kiel Brunner, Goyle's campaign manager, said it's humbling to see so many small donations come in.

"We're proud of every donation we receive," he said. "Raj has a large family network and a lot of people who support his campaign."

Both candidates drew big money from special interests.

Among top donors for Goyle:

* International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers PAC, an AFL-CIO-affiliated labor union that represents electrical workers nationwide.

* American Association for Justice PAC, promotes justice and fairness for injured people, safeguards victims' rights — particularly the right to trial by jury.

* Midwest Region Laborers' Political League, a group funded with money from local unions that mostly supports Democrats.

"Raj has always been an independent leader in the Statehouse," Brunner said. "He didn't accept personal gifts from special interest groups. And he's always stood up for what he thought was right for Kansas."

Among Pompeo's top donors:

* Textron Inc. PAC, a global company that owns Cessna.

* Koch Industries PAC, petroleum-based product maker.

* Kansas Bankers Association PAC, which advocates for the state's banking interests.

"I think you see those who have traditionally been the job creators are supporting Mike Pompeo, understanding that he's going to create an environment where risk takers, entrepreneurs can be successful," Woods said.

Chapman Rackaway, an associate professor of political science at Fort Hays State University, said he's never heard of breakdowns of out-of-state and political action committee contributions changing a voter's mind.

"To the average voter, they don't think about where the money comes from," he said. "They're paying attention to ads and mail pieces."

Goyle held a big lead in fundraising over Pompeo through the Aug. 3 primary. After Pompeo emerged from a crowded primary, he overtook Goyle, out-raising him in that period by a margin of better than 3-to-1.

As of Oct. 13, Goyle had $133,094 on hand. Pompeo had $500,938 on hand.

Since then, Pompeo has reported an additional $42,700 in last-minute financing compared to Goyle's $30,601.

This story was originally published October 26, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Raj Goyle, Mike Pompeo campaign contributions arrive from near and far."