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Berkley loans her campaign $250,000 in tight Senate race
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STEPHENS WASHINGTON BUREAU
Updated: Nov. 3, 2012 | 2:42 a.m.
WASHINGTON - Rep. Shelley Berkley loaned her campaign $250,000 in the homestretch of a heated U.S. Senate race, the first time either Nevada candidate has needed to tap personal funds.
Berkley made the transactions in early and mid-October, including borrowing $50,000 from a retirement fund to send the money to her campaign, according to federal reports through Oct. 17.
After spending $10.3 million over the past 18 months, the Democrat counted $445,000 in her election fund as the race entered its final three weeks.
Berkley also reported a $24,581 campaign debt to American Express.
Meanwhile, incumbent Republican Sen. Dean Heller had $1.2 million cash on hand heading into the final weeks of his $7.6 million campaign. He reported no loans or outstanding debt.
Heller also has benefited from a surge of recent donations into his campaign. Federal reports detail $165,751 in late October contributions, including $78,776 from industry and Republican political action committees.
A Berkley spokeswoman maintained the loans were not a sign of financial distress. In recent days, the congresswoman has added at least $96,400 in late contributions, Federal Election Commission records show.
"This race will be extremely close, and this ensured the campaign has necessary funds to give voters the clear choice in this election," Xochitl Hinojosa said.
Berkley is one of the wealthier members of Congress. She and her husband, Las Vegas nephrologist Dr. Larry Lehrner, hold net assets worth an estimated $9.17 million, according to Roll Call.
Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. Follow him on Twitter @STetreaultDC.
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I know who gets to write off the loss, Shelly of coarse! Who pays for the loss? The taxpayers of coarse!
To lend your self money for your own campaign, sounds like bad ethics to me, there should be a law against that!
It's all just kick back money she received earlier, she's done !
Here's an interesting comment from Harriet Reid, http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2012/nov/2/reid-says-he-cant-work-romney/ What a disgusting person Harriet is! One more reason to elect Dean Heller and hopefully get rid of Harriet's leadership in the senate.
Berkley doesn’t have to worry much; she will make the money back easily from taxpayers as her husband’s Kidney Center at UMC drains taxpayers to the tune of $24 million dollars yearly treating 80 or more illegal aliens.
So..11 million dollars..out the door. Flip another house Shelly.
Why should berkly rum for any office, she is already filthy rich, loaning money from her own account to rum for office,ugggh!!!!!
Pale Rider (Joe Homeboy?) You got it. Nailed it in fact. Once they start using their own money its the first sign the party's over.
So she'll loan her own campaign money, but they (the politicians) don't hesitate to use taxpayer money on all these failed green energy scams.....I mean investments for the future......
How much more do you need to read to know these politicians are corrupt as the day is long and they all work for mega corporations.