Federal Election Commission filings through May 13 show Aaron Flint holding a commanding financial lead over rivals Christi Jacobsen and Al Olszewski in the Republican primary for Montana’s Western Congressional District, with the June 2 election days away.
Flint has raised $677,089 in total receipts, spent $292,415, and carried $384,673 in cash on hand — the strongest financial position in the Republican field. Individual contributions accounted for $478,051, split between itemized donations of $273,268 and smaller unitemized contributions of $204,783. Flint carried no debt and made no loans to his own campaign.
Jacobsen Montana’s current secretary of state has loaned her campaign nearly as much as she has raised from others. Jacobsen has loaned herself $215,000 while raising about $231,000. She has spent her own money aggressively, disbursing $352,505 ending with just $94,765 in cash on hand.
Olszewski, a Kalispell orthopedic surgeon and former state legislator, reported $411,337 in total receipts, though $174,701 of that came from loans he made to his own campaign. He spent $317,276 and held $104,010 in cash on hand, with $489,701 in debts owed by the committee — almost entirely composed of his self-financing.
The race marks Olszewski’s fourth run for different offices, having lost in the primary in each previous attempt. His failed bids include runs for Lt. Governor, Congress, Senate and Governor.
Flint entered the race March 2, shortly after Zinke announced he would not seek a third term, and quickly secured endorsements from Zinke, President Donald Trump, Gov. Greg Gianforte, Attorney General Austin Knudsen and both of Montana’s U.S. senators.
By: Big Sky Broadcasting Newswire
