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Angus King surprised some political insiders this morning with his latest quarterly campaign finance report.

National observers were watching to see if King could raise $1 million to add to his nearly $1 million raised through June. Some Maine observers did not expect King to reach that number, however, based on unconfirmed reports in September that his fundraising was off the $1 million pace.

King raised $1.1 million for his U.S. Senate campaign in the past three months, bringing his total to $2 million as of Sept.  30, the campaign reported today. None of that money was from the candidate himself, according to the campaign.

King looks well financed for the last month of the campaign, with $464,000 in cash on hand as of Sept. 30. That total doesn't include $200,000 already spent to reserve television advertising time in the last two weeks before election day, the campaign says.

King's fundraising total in the past three months was more than double the amount raised by Republican Charlie Summers – $507,000.

Democrat Cynthia Dill, meanwhile, raised about $57,000 in the most recent three-month period, her campaign reported.

King, meanwhile, also continued to rack up endorsements from nationally known independent politicians.

Lowell P. Weicker, a former independent governor and Republican Senator from Connecticut, announced his endorsement of King this morning.

"Never has independence been more important than in this era of food-fight politics. Angus King was a solid, effective Independent governor and will continue to be as a United States Senator," Weicker said in a statement released by the King campaign.

Weicker joins other current and former independent politicians in backing King. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has contributed $500,000 to an independent group backing King and is hosting a King fundraiser. And former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura has expressed his support for King's Senate run.

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Open Season targets all of Maine's political wildlife, from Portland city government to the donkeys, elephants and independents stalking the Statehouse and U.S. Capitol.

John Richardson joined the Press Herald in 1990 after working as a reporter in New Jersey. He has covered a variety of beats, including marine issues, the environment and health care. He is now covering politics and focusing on Maine's U.S. Senate race.
John can be reached at 791-6324 or jrichardson@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @jrichmaine

Colin Woodard has covered politics and elections for more than two decades, from Bosnia and Bucharest to Washington, D.C., Augusta, and Portland City Hall. He has written for a wide range of national and international publications and is the author of four books, including "American Nations," a history of North America's regional cultures. He joined the Portland Press Herald at the end of April and covers political finance and lobbying, among other things.
Colin can be reached at 791-6317 or cwoodard@pressherald.com

Susan Cover has covered Maine politics for 10 years and worked in Kansas, Ohio and Rhode Island as a reporter. This year, she is focusing on covering the same-sex marriage debate for MaineToday Media.
Susan can be reached at 621-5643 or scover@mainetoday.com

Michael Shepherd joined MaineToday Media in May 2012 after graduating from the University of Maine in Orono, where he edited The Maine Campus, the student newspaper there. Until November he'll be writing the Truth Test, a recurring feature analyzing political statements and advertising.
Michael can be reached at 621-5632 or mshepherd@mainetoday.com

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