By Beth Clayton
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY–State Senator Roger Bedford (D-Russellville) is leading the Democrats in the Senate in fundraising. In July alone, Bedford brought in $89,350 in contributions to support his reelection to represent the 6th district.
A large portion of Senator Bedford’s money is from PAC contributions, including $5,000 contributions from several notable Alabama PACs: the Alabama Economic Development PAC, CARE PAC, ABC Merit PAC, Alabama Power State Employees PAC and BES PAC.
He also raised $7,000 from Capitol Resources PAC and $25,000 from Alabama Voice of Teachers for Education, the PAC associated with the Alabama Education Association.
The Alabama Economic Development PAC has given money almost exclusively to local candidates running in Birmingham, with the exception of Bedford.
CARE PAC is the Alabama Nursing Home Association. That organization has contributed a lot of money to several notable republicans, including $5,000 contributions to Senators Jabo Waggoner, Slade Blackwell, Cam Ward. Tom Whatley and Jim McClendon.
The ABC Merit PAC spent $55,521 last month, $30,000 of which went to Governor Robert Bentley.
BES PAC only supported Bedford in July.
Bedford’s strength as a fundraiser derives largely from his past as a leader in the senate, after serving as minority leader from 2010 to 2012.
The current Senate Minority Leader, Vivian Davis Figures (R-Mobile) has not filed paperwork indicating that she has broken the $1,000 fundraising threshold.
The only other Democratic senators to raise a notable amount of money so far are Senator Quentin Ross, with $46,559.09 on hand at the end of July, and Senator Rodger Smitherman, with $50,392.47 on hand.
The Republicans are doing a better job on the fundraising end.
Senator Jim McClendon is leading with $76,130.00 during the Month of July, while Senators Slade Blackwell and Paul Bussman are tied for second, with between $38,000 and $39,000 in contributions.
Senators Jerry Fielding and Bill Holtzclaw have both raised more than $1,000 as well.
