Gary Chambers, candidate for U-S Senate, announced today that his campaign has raised nearly six hundred thousand dollars since its launch last month. For a relative unknown like Chambers, that’s no small feat, says UL professor of political science, Dr. Pearson Cross.
“Definitely making a splash,” he said. “Of course, $600K is a long way from the $7.5 or $10 million that John Kennedy has on hand. But it’s definitely an eye-opening sum.”
Chambers burst onto the scene with a pair of provocative campaign ads, challenging the stigma around cannabis legalization and attacking the nation’s history of systemic racism. Cross says that not only is Chambers attracting donors, but he’s also attracting plenty of attention.
“You have to applaud Mr. Chambers for taking such a bold approach,” said Dr. Cross. “He’s thinking ‘Gee, I can’t get any traction any other way, at least I’m going to get people’s attention.’ I have to say that people are talking about his campaign.”
Incumbent John Kennedy remains the overwhelming favorite to win re-elections, but Cross says that if Chambers can continue his fundraising momentum, the race for the Senate could actually become a contest.
“If the fundraising continues at this pace, and if Mr. Chambers has $2-3 million to spend, this will definitely be more of a race than we anticipated,” he said.
Chambers has collected more than 14,000 donors with an average donation of $38 and is the leading Democratic fundraiser to this point.
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