NRSC Pledges $3.4 Million for Kirk
Politico reports that the NRSC has pledged a significant amount of money to Mark Kirk's senate campaign:
Republican Mark Kirk will receive a major money boost for his Senate bid, thanks to a recent special election ruling in Illinois that ups fundraising limits for the race.
POLITICO has learned the National Republican Senatorial Committee has dedicated $3.4 million in coordinated funds to Kirk’s campaign against Democrat Alexi Giannoulias.
The national party committees can spend up to $1.7 million in coordinated funds in Illinois, according to federal election rules. However, the NRSC, according to a source close to the committee, will take advantage of a recent court-ordered special election that effectively doubles the total allowable amount that candidates can fundraise – and committees can spend in coordination with candidates.
The funds will surely be welcome: The Illinois race is expensive and very competitive. A Kirk spokesman, Kirsten Kukowski, confirmed the campaign would get the maximum funds and said, “We are grateful for the NRSC’s strong support for Congressman Kirk.”
Kirk is already ahead of the money chase in the race. At the end of June, Kirk reported having $3.9 million in the bank; meanwhile, Giannoulias reported just over $1 million cash on hand.
Despite the cash disparity, public polls show an extremely close race. The most recent Rasmussen Reports survey showed the two candidates tied at 45 percent; other public polls similarly showed Kirk and Giannoulias in a tie or a statistical dead heat.
