Legislative candidates raise more than $15.4 million

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ About 35 candidates for seats in the Oklahoma Legislature have each raised more than 100-thousand dollars to finance their campaigns. <br/><br/>According to state campaign finance

Sunday, October 31st 2004, 5:45 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ About 35 candidates for seats in the Oklahoma Legislature have each raised more than 100-thousand dollars to finance their campaigns.

According to state campaign finance reports, almost 400 candidates for seats in the state House and Senate in Tuesday's election have raised more than $15.4-million for their campaigns.

The 2004 campaign has been expensive because term limits forced an unprecedented number of lawmakers to give up their seats.

Democrats are trying to maintain control of the House and Senate while Republicans are trying to take over.

Campaign finance records indicate that Democratic candidates have raised about 1.7-million more than Republicans.

About a million dollars has been raised by candidates for the Senate's District 33 seat being given up by Democratic Senator Penny Williams.

Democrat Tom Adelson has raised $514,314 dollars, the most of any legislative candidate.

His Republican opponent, Dewey Bartlett Junior, has raised $263,909.