Dec 17, 2008 11:11 pm US/Central
Reality Check: Senate Recount Money
(WCCO)
The day after the election a new campaign began. Al Franken and Norm Coleman are rarely seen in public, but their campaigns have been very active behind the scenes, raising millions of dollars for the recount.
Here's what you NEED TO KNOW…
From Nov. 4 until Nov. 24 -- three weeks after the election -- federal records reveal both candidates raised a total of nearly $4 million for the recount.
Franken has raised a total of $2.1 million, while Coleman has raised $1.8 million.
IN FACT...
That brings the 2008 campaign money totals to new records in Minnesota -- $22.4 million for Coleman and $20.5 million for Franken. It is the most expensive U.S. Senate race in the country this year with a total of $43 million.
But here's the REALITY...
We don't know how much money Franken and Coleman are raising for the recount right now.
And that's NOT THE WHOLE STORY when it comes to money.
The massive job of recounting three million votes is about 3 cents a ballot. The cost to taxpayers is about $90,000.
To have a new election statewide, the Secretary of State's Office says that would cost $3.6 million.
That's Reality Check.
To check the resources for this Reality Check click on the links below.
Star Tribune: Franken/Coleman Recount News
FEC: Franken Recount Fund
FEC: Coleman For Senate '08
Total Raised and Spent in 2008 Minnesota Senate Race
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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