Oklahoma candidates file campaign fund-raising reports

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Two Democratic gubernatorial candidates have spent more than $1 million apiece, leaving each with less than $50,000 in their campaign coffers, election reports show. <br><br>As

Tuesday, September 10th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Two Democratic gubernatorial candidates have spent more than $1 million apiece, leaving each with less than $50,000 in their campaign coffers, election reports show.

As of Sept. 2, Edmond restaurateur Vince Orza had $43,767 left of the $1.21 million he has raised. Orza finished first in the August Democratic primary.

State Sen. Brad Henry raised $1.15 million and has $38,095 remaining. The Shawnee attorney took out $130,000 in bank loans for the first time to help his campaign.

Henry and Orza will meet in Tuesday's runoff to see who faces former Republican Congressman Steve Largent and independent Gary Richardson in the November election.

The candidates filed their campaign fund-raising reports Monday with the state Ethics Commission.

As of Sept. 2, Largent has $722,482 left of the $2.34 million he's raised. President Bush's recent visit to Oklahoma helped increase Largent's donations.

Richardson, a wealthy Tulsa attorney, has raised more than $2.1 million and continues to be his biggest contributor. He has lent his campaign more than $1.84 million from personal funds and had $92,992 left on Sept. 2.

Richardson spent more than $20,000 for a rally Aug. 27 featuring the musical group, The Commodores.

He threw it on the night of the primary election even though he is not on the ballot until November.