Stupak's campaign manager Joe Johnson said the campaign did slow in the weeks following the May 13 death of Stupak's son, Bart Jr., from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. We're just now getting going again. However, Stupak now faces the challenge of trying to raise more money in a short time. Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, reported Thursday that leading Democrats were worried and that Stupak's campaign remained inactive with just over four months before the November election. This year it will be necessary for Bart to be ready for the GOP's big money machine.
Incumbents traditionally are in a position to collect far more contributions than challengers.
However, if these figures hold true, the battle for the biggest all-important money bags could be a toss up. That puts a new spin on this race. Republicans have fought to take the 1st District back from Democratic control ever since Stupak was elected in 1992, but they have gained little to no ground. Even last election in which Stupak faced the politically experienced former state Rep. Michelle McManus, Stupak triumphed by winning all but two of the district's 28 counties. Johnson remained undaunted by potentially being outspent by a challenger.