Gov. Jim Douglas raised three quarters of a million dollars for re-election

Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) filed his first campaign finance report for 2008, raking in a total of nearly three quarters of a million dollars to date.  

According to campaign finance reports filed this afternoon, Douglas' supporters have donated a total of $737, 596.65, the most money the incumbent governor has ever raised prior to a primary election.

From the last filing period ending Dec. 15, 2007 through today, Douglas raised over $500,000, with about 4,000 Vermonters and Vermont businesses adding to the war chest. 

"I want to thank the thousands of Vermonters who have donated to my campaign," Douglas said in a statement today. "I am humbled by their generosity. Continued support from folks in every corner of the state will help me win in November and once again advance the people's agenda."

The governor added that he would continue to be the "voice of change and the voice of reason," and vowed to support "common sense reforms" and boost the state's economy. 

Vermont's Department of State records show that during the 2006 election, the Douglas re-election campaign had raised approximately $650,000 by the end of the first filing period, and received just over $820,000 in contributions by the general election.