Romney tops Idaho money hunt

WASHINGTON – Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has raised far more Washington state money than any other presidential candidate.

But former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is the top fundraiser in Oregon and Idaho.

The latest campaign finance reports, broken out by state, show Obama has raised more than $1.1 million in Washington – nearly double his closest rival, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

Romney tops Oregon with more than $392,000, followed by Edwards at about $275,000.

In heavily Republican Idaho, Romney has raised more than $457,000 – nearly triple his nearest rival, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Figures compiled by the Federal Election Commission through Sept. 30 show the presidential candidates have raised more than $6 million in the three Northwest states – a fraction of the $416 million they have raised nationwide in the first nine months of the year.

The figures likely understate the candidates’ overall support, since donors giving less than $200 are not required to list their home state.

Obama continued to show strength in the Northwest – raising more than New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in all three states. Obama finished second among Democrats in Oregon fundraising with $237,320, and led among Democrats in Washington and Idaho, albeit with a relatively low total of $48,175 in the Gem State. He raised $1.13 million in Washington – the only candidate to break the million-dollar barrier in a Northwest state.

Clinton, who leads Democrats in most national polls and is the top fundraiser nationally, was third among Democrats in Washington and Oregon, and second in Idaho. Her best state was Washington, where she raised $453,376, followed by Oregon at $163,265 and Idaho at $28,585.

Clinton is scheduled to visit Seattle on Monday to address the annual Warren G. Magnuson Awards dinner hosted by state Democrats.

Edwards, who was the 2004 Democratic nominee for vice president, led his party in Oregon with $274,760 raised. He came in second in Washington with $569,820, and fourth in Idaho with just $7,141.

Idaho was the only Northwest state where New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson broke into the top three in the Democratic money chase. Richardson raised $10,547 in Idaho, good enough for third place in the state’s money primary.

Among Republicans, Romney is the clear choice in the Northwest money race. He was the top GOP fundraiser in all three states, raising $558,273 in Washington, $457,248 in Idaho and $392,260 in Oregon.

Giuliani, who campaigned in Washington and Oregon last month, was second among Republicans in Oregon and Idaho, but trailed Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in Washington.

Giuliani raised $224,101 in Washington state, $161,500 in Idaho and $145,035 in Oregon.

McCain raised $230,978 in Washington, $103,945 in Oregon and $77,695 in Idaho.