Melancon leads Romero in campaign funds

By PATRICK COURREGES Acadiana bureau
Published: Apr 18, 2006

Filings with the Federal Elections Commission show U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville, has about a $400,000 lead in money in the bank over his announced challenger, state Sen. Craig Romero, R-New Iberia.

According to campaign finance records, Melancon has about $1 million to defend his seat in Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District. The Nov. 7 primary election is seven months away.

Romero, on the other hand, has about $614,000, though his camp points out he raised more money than Melancon in the past quarter.

Romero raised about $339,000 over the past three months, while Melancon has raised about $274,000 over the same period.

"We need to raise more money, considering what needs to be raised for the total campaign," Romero said…. ...

Melancon said the groups supporting his campaign are the kind that have an interest in improving the situations of the working people.

He said he thinks his campaign is in good shape financially, having raised almost as much money seven months from the first vote as it did in the entire 2004 election.

'We feel good about it. We're in the top tier of candidates in money raised in the nation," Melancon said. He said that indicates the voters believe in the work he's done.