From Money Standpoint Noem Campaign Was Franklin C-Note, Robinson Jefferson Nickel

It probably wasn’t the only factor, but being able to raise money for a Congressional campaign better than her opponent was of great benefit for Kristi Noem.  

Pat Powers of the South Dakota War College website went digging for the Federal Election Commission reports that candidates need to file showing how much money was raised, used and is still held (or in arrears) by the respective campaigns.

You could make the case that despite her lack of funds Corinna Robinson did an outstanding job at the polls. From Powers’ blog: From October 16th through November 24th – the last 2 weeks or so of the election, plus a post election period, Robinson raised $3765, and spent $6101, leaving her with a debt of $13,372 after the end of the congressional campaign. $12,000 of the debt is owed to herself, with the remainder to her accounting firm. Get more information here.

• Congressional Lame Duck Session Doesn’t Pass By Easy Street, Kristi Noem Talks Funding Government

On the Noem side of the ledger the picture is much rosier: Kristi Noem handily raised over $110,000 during the same period covered by the post-general election report. Noem also reported $201k spent, and $820,738 cash remaining on hand for the next go-around. See the full report here.

Noem easily won the race with 66.8 percent of the vote. With no television presence, very little ground game and as stated above no war chest. To get even 33.2 percent of the vote while running that steep incline is commendable.