Breckenridge raises three times more than Payton

State campaign finance reports reveal one Iowa House District 29 candidate has a clear fundraising edge.

According to reports filed by Wednesday’s state-mandated reporting deadline, the campaign of Democratic nominee Wes Breckenridge has raised more than three times as much as Republican nominee Patrick Payton for the period of July 15 to Oct. 14, taking in more than $12,500 in cash contributions to Payton’s $4,000, along with more than $400 in in-kind donations. Breckenridge spent about $4,500, while Payton spent about $6,500.

Breckenridge had a slightly higher overall opening balance than Payton coming into the reporting period. The Democrat’s campaign finished with an ending balance of about $13,000 compared to Payton’s $2,800.

“Bankers Unite in Legislative Decisions AKA: BUILD” and the Credit Union PAC were Breckenridge’s biggest contributors with their $1,000 donations. Four statewide PACs and two labor unions contributed $500 each. Marty Ford of Newton made the largest individual donation at $300.

Payton received contributions from 16 individuals — 11 of whom are Jasper County residents — including a $1,900 individual contribution from a Cuming resident. He also received a total of $1,000 from the Republican county committee.

Rep. Mark Smith (D-Marshalltown), the House minority leader, made Breckenridge’s largest in-kind donation, donating $300 as a fundrasier raffle prize.

The next statutory reporting cycle ends Nov. 1, with reports due Nov. 4.

Breckenridge defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Kelley (D-Newton) in the June 7 Democratic primary election, while no Republicans ran against Payton. Kelley then decided to run in the November general election to retain his seat as a member of the “Stand Up To Bullies” party, and he has filed campaign finance reports as well.

Kelley has nearly the same negative overall balance he had in July. He took in about $340 in cash contributions within the past 90 days and spent about $290, leaving his campaign with a balance of about -$2,300.

The campaign had six total contributors, including a check Kelley wrote to his own campaign for $10 and had one other $10 donation from a Newton resident. The largest contribution was $150 from the Iowa Association of Nurse Anesthetists PAC. He listed zero in-kind contributions.

In the House District 28 race, incumbent Greg Heartsill, a Republican, fundraised more than Democrat Martin Duffy by nearly a 5-to-1 ratio, $12,000 to $2,700.

District 14 Sen. Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton) has raised nearly $33,000 in her bid for re-election. Her challenger, Ruth Smith (D-Lamoni), didn’t file a report by Wednesday’s deadline.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com