Inhofe leads in campaign money for Senate race

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe has raised the most money for the Oklahoma's upcoming Senate race, according to election reports. <br><br>Inhofe, R-Okla., is running for his second full six-year

Monday, April 22nd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe has raised the most money for the Oklahoma's upcoming Senate race, according to election reports.

Inhofe, R-Okla., is running for his second full six-year term. He reported raising $425,512 in the first quarter of this election year. Nearly $138,000 of that amount came from political action committees.

Former Gov. David Walter, who's running for the Democratic nomination, reported $246,400 for the quarter with $61,250 coming from PACs. Tulsa lawyer Tom Boettcher, who's also seeking the Democratic nomination, raised $44,000 with $3,530 from the candidate.

Inhofe reported $1.5 million cash on hand, compared to $555,043 for Walters and $38,997 for Boettcher.

Meanwhile, former Pittsburg and Haskell counties District Attorney Kalyn Free leads the list of candidates in the 3rd District. Free reported raising $158,995 for the quarter, which was more than any of the incumbent members of the delegation.

Free reported $2,500 in PAC contributions.

State Rep. Mike Mass, D-Hartshorne, reported $126,325 for the quarter with $2,450 from PACs, and Ada attorney Keith Butler raised $20,870 with $6,250 from PACs.

Butler still led in money in the bank, reporting $133,602 compared to $127,190 for Free and $118,620 for Mass.

Oklahoma's newest member of Congress, GOP Rep. John Sullivan, has raised $42,450 since taking office in February. Of that, $20,500 came from PACs.

Democratic Rep. Brad Carson, raised $110,095 for the quarter with $35,250 coming from PACs.

Carson had $304,115 cash on hand.

Of the incumbents, Republican Rep. J.C. Watts raised the most with $97,798. Of that, $53,994 came from PACs.

GOP Rep. Ernest Istook took in $31,810 with $6,250 from PACs, while Republican Rep. Frank Lucas reported $68,584 with $45,000 from PACs.