Cranston 2nd With $4.7 Million War Chest : Packwood Top Fund-Raiser, Spender

Sen. Bob Packwood (R-Ore.), whose championing of tax overhaul thrust him into the national spotlight, has raised more money and spent more than any other congressional candidate, the Federal Election Commission reported today.

Packwood, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has raised nearly $6 million and spent nearly $3 million, according to figures compiled by the FEC.

Tagged “Senator Death” by anti-abortion activists, Packwood is being challenged in the May 20 Republican primary by the Rev. Joe Lutz, a Baptist minister. However, he is heavily favored to leap that hurdle en route to a fourth term.

While Packwood is looking forward to the general election with a campaign bankroll of about $3 million, his likeliest Democratic opponent, Rep. James Weaver, has $1,550 in his treasury.

The FEC figures are based on reports filed with the commission for the 15 months from Jan. 1, 1985, through March 31, 1986.

Ranking second and third among fund-raisers were Sen. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.), with $4.7 million, and Sen. Alfonse D’Amato (R-N.Y.), with $4.6 million.

Among the spenders, D’Amato ranked second at $2.6 million, and Cranston third, about $5,000 behind the New Yorker.

In what is shaping up as one of the big money races of 1986, Sen. Paula Hawkins (R-Fla.), has raised $3 million, while her Democratic challenger, Gov. Robert Graham, has received $2.3 million in contributions. Hawkins has spent $2.3 million and Graham $1 million.