Dahlkemper challenger loaned campaign $150K

In his bid to unseat Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (D-3), businessman Paul Huber is reaching into his own wallet.

Huber has raised about $130,000 during the election cycle so far, and finished 2009 with about $225,000 in cash on hand, according to campaign finance data. But his campaign also has $150,000 in debt, all of it from loans Huber made to his candidacy. One $50,000 loan was made at the end of September, and another loan for $100,000 was given at the end of December.

Since that time the GOP primary field has gotten more crowded, most recently with the entrance of Butler County businessman Mike Kelly, who is said to enjoy more support from within the party. But Huber’s loans to the campaign clearly give him an early financial advantage, with the primary less than four months away. Another candidate, Republican Ed Franz, had only $2,500 on hand at the end of the year.