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Luetkemeyer

Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer has dipped $200,000 deeper into his own wallet – increasing to $1.12 million the total in personal funds he’s kicked into his fight to win Missouri’s 9th District Congressional seat.

Luetkemeyer on Saturday donated $200,000 to his campaign according to a report filed Monday with the Federal Election Commission. That’s in addition to $920,000 in personal loans he made previously for the overall primary-general election cycle.

Luetkemeyer has used his own money to remain competitive on the TV and radio ad front with Democratic foe Judy Baker, who has raised far more money than the Republican from contributors.

Pro-Baker independent expenditures also are exceeding pro-Luetkemeyer independent spending, according to FEC reports and interviews with spokesmen for some of the groups.

On the GOP side, Luetkemeyer’s campaign has amassed more than $1.7 million, including the $1.12 million from the candidate himself and about $596,000 from other individuals and committees.

Baker’s campaign has reported raising more than $1.3 million. Her only infusion of personal dollars was a $10,000 loan.

As for independent expenditures, totals include:

Pro-Luetkemeyer:  The National Republican Congressional Committee, $612,000.

Pro-Baker:  The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, $738,000; Health Care for America Now (affiliated with unions and other groups), $619,000; a credit union group, $150,000; and an American Hospital Association committee, $33,000.