John Barrow at 2010 campaign event
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) -- A politically homeless U.S. Rep. John Barrow is still raising piles of cash for a tough re-election fight, while a Republican businessman seeking to challenge the Democrat is matching him nearly dollar-for-dollar by dipping into his own pocket.
Barrow, whose Savannah home was carved out of his 12th District
seat last year, reported raising $272,266 in the last three months
of 2011. That's the most money the four-term incumbent has ever
raised in the final quarter before an election year.
Barrow reported an overall bank balance of $903,789 to defend his seat in November.
Three Republicans seeking to challenge Barrow also reported
six-figure sums. The top GOP fundraiser was Augusta businessman
Rick W. Allen, who nearly matched Barrow with $271,675 in campaign cash that includes $80,000 of his own money.
The 12th no longer includes Milledgeville and Baldwin County, but it still covers Laurens, Wheeler, Telfair and Treutlen counties.