Michael Toner Comments on Fundraising Battle Between Mitt Romney and Rick Perry

Election Law & Government Ethics Practice co-chair Michael Toner commented in a Fox News story on the fundraising edge former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney holds over his rival, Texas Governor Rick Perry, in their bid for the Republican nomination.

Fox News reports that the most recent fundraising records show Romney far ahead of the Republican field, "with nearly $18.4 m in his campaign war chest."

"Rick Perry has done a terrific job raising money in Texas, under the Texas campaign finance system," said Mr. Toner, a former Federal Election Commission chairman and general counsel to the Republican National Committee. "You can accept unlimited individual contributions in Texas. You're not limited to the $2,500 limit that exists at the federal level."

Mr. Toner added that there is a looming questions as to whether Perry can demonstrate similar fundraising talent outside of Texas. "If Gov. Perry raises $10 million to $12 million in this quarter that ends on September 30th, I think that will be a very strong showing," said Mr. Toner. "He's just getting into the race, just developing his national fundraising base...But I do think Mitt Romney will raise the most money on the [FEC's] October 15th report, and that's certainly been his track record in the past."