Kanjorski spent big in April

Facing a primary challenge from an insurgent Democrat with an energetic field presence, Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-11) started dipping into his war chest last month, spending tens of thousands on TV and other campaign efforts.

Kanjorski raised about $44,000 during the month, and spent more than $267,00o, leaving him with still close to a million bucks in the bank three weeks before the primary, according to campaign finance data. Political watchers consider Kanjorski an easy favorite over Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O’Brien thanks to his big money edge and the inherent difficulty of knocking off an incumbent in the primary. But some people watching the race closely say O’Brien—who’s been called the most competitive House primary challenger in the country—has made significant inroads with a disciplined field operation complemented by an early but steady buy.

So Kanjorski, who had kept a low political profile for months, started spending last month. Though his first TV ad wasn’t set to begin airing until earlier this week, he shelled out money for the media buy last month. The campaign spent about $168,000 on a media buy made through Edward Mitchell Communications, the firm owned by Kanjorski’s longtime campaign spokesman. Another $20,000 was spent on Mitchell’s firm for media consulting, according to Kanjorski’s pre-primary campaign finance report. And Kanjorski spent another $20,000 on “Voter Contact ID” costs.

O’Brien, for his part, raised about $33,000 during the period, and had more than $36,000 in the bank. After going on TV early this year, his campaign has gradually pulled back as statewide candidates have increasingly saturated the airwaves, while maintaining what the campaign hopes will be enough of a presence to stay on the radar. The campaign spent another $15,000 on TV last month.

And Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, the lone Republican candidate in the race who is running for the third time in eight years, raised almost another $25,000 last month. He has raked in about $311,000 since getting into the race late last year, and finished the period with about $126,000 on hand, according to his campaign finance report. He has loaned his campaign almost $110,000 this cycle, and despite not having a primary, he spent about $26,000 last month on direct mail costs.

The race is currently ranked No. 4 on the pa2010.com Congressional Power Rankings.