Local cash plumps up campaign coffers

INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Mitch Daniels received significantly more campaign contributions from Evansville during the second quarter of 2008 than did Jill Long Thompson, his Democratic opponent. Daniels received 132 contributions to his re-election campaign totaling $21,666.75 from April 1 to June 30 from Evansville addresses, compared to just 32 for Long Thompson during the same time totaling $16,850, records show. Daniels was unopposed for the Republican nomination, while Long Thompson had to fend off opponent Jim Schellinger in the May 6 Democratic primary. Schellinger listed just one Evansville contribution during the second quarter. Quarterly campaign finance reports, which track political donors and the amounts they give, are public record and were filed last week with the Indiana Election Division. Daniels' largest second... [read full story]