BREEZY POINT — DFL candidate for Senate District 6 Denise Slipy has seen a significant fundraising jump since the April 15 primary.
Slipy's raised $30,000 in the last two weeks, bringing her total to just over $40,000. But she still trails Republican Keri Heintzeman by $25,000.
Heintzeman dominated the fundraising race early, raising nearly four times as much as the next closest candidate ahead of the primary. Her momentum's slowed some, but she's still raised an additional $13,000.
The majority of both candidates’ funds have come from individual contributions. Over two-thirds of the larger donations have come from outside the north-central Minnesota district.
Under state law, campaign contributions need not be itemized if they are less than $200, assuming candidates meet the other criteria requiring a report.
The biggest single donation of the race so far came from the Itasca County Republicans, who gave Heintzeman $5,000 three days after she emerged the victor from a crowded field of eight GOP candidates.
In-district contributions are concentrated in Brainerd, the largest city in the district, and Nisswa, where Heintzeman is from.
Northern Minnesota business owners are the primary big contributors in the region. Several were highlighted earlier this week when the DFL filed a campaign finance complaint against Heintzeman, alleging she accepted double the contribution limit from nine individuals.
Heintzeman said the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board assured her she was not violating the law. According to the board, the special election contribution limits are separate from the regular election cycle limits.
Since the primary, Heintzeman has received an additional out-of-state contribution from the Lignite Energy Council Political Fund in Bismarck, North Dakota. Slipy's all gotten two donations from outside Minnesota, both from individuals: one in Colorado and one in Texas.
Early voting for the special election to fill the seat left vacant by Justin Eichorn's resignation is open through Monday, with the special election on Tuesday.
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