Cornilles off to fast fundraising start in Oregon's 1st

Republican Rob Cornilles, who is running for the seat held by Oregon Democratic Rep. David Wu,  announced Wednesday that he’s raised $125,000 over the last three months.

That’s a pretty good fundraising start, especially considering that it is more than either of Wu’s Republican challengers raised in 2006 or 2008.  It’s another sign that Wu could face a tough re-election race in 2010, particularly if the overall political climate favors Republicans.

Cornilles, a sports marketing consultant, appears to be the best-funded of the four Republican candidates who say they intend to challenge Wu. (Last month, I wrote about the appearance all of them made at a Tea Party rally in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square).

Almost all of his contributions are coming from within Oregon, including some from such well-known GOP donors as Joan Austin, a co-founder of A-DEC, the dental manufacturing company.

Some of the donors seemed over-enthusiastic. Several gave $4,800 – the limit is $2,400 per election – and were asked to redesignate half of their contribution as going to the general.  Austin gave $5,000 and the report said a refund would be issued.

Still, it’s important to keep the first quarter in perspective.  Raising $125,000 is just an opening bet.  Wu raised $2.4 million in 2004, the last time he had a difficult race (which he won handily), and he can certainly do at least that well in 2010.
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