WILSON QUITS CAMPAIGN : Dole Holds On to Lead in GOP’s Fund-Raising Race

Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas continues to lead the Republican presidential fund-raising sweepstakes, raking in $5.5 million in the third quarter of the year, far outstripping all of his GOP rivals.

His closest competitor, Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas, raised $2.1 million but spent even more in the July-September period.

President Clinton led all candidates with receipts of more than $9 million in the latest reporting period, bringing his total since late June to about $19 million. With few immediate expenses--taxpayers pay the tab for most of his travel and he does not face a primary challenge--Clinton has been able to sock away most of what he has raised. Clinton’s campaign finance chairman, Terry McAuliffe, said the campaign has considerably more than $10 million in cash on hand. Most of that is for advertising next year.

California Gov. Pete Wilson raised $1.9 million in the quarter but ended up at least $1 million in debt, in contrast to the success of Dole and Gramm that helped drive Wilson from the race. Dole claims $7 million in cash on hand, and Gramm claims to have $4.5 million.

Dole’s third-quarter tally brings his fund-raising total since the first of the year to $19 million. He expects to raise $300,000 tonight at a Miami fund-raiser. Gramm has also raised about $19 million, counting $4.8 million transferred from his last Senate campaign.

Former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander took in about $1 million in the third quarter and spent it all and then some, said spokesman Mark Merritt. The campaign has $600,000 on hand and is planning a fund-raising blitz.

“Fund raising has been tough for all the presidential candidates except Dole,” Merritt said.

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Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) raised $900,000 in the third quarter, bringing his year-to-date total to $3.9 million. The campaign has about $400,000 cash on hand.

Conservative commentator Patrick J. Buchanan brought in about $2 million in the third quarter, according to an aide, but final figures are not available.

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) raised $1 million over the past three months for a total of $2.7 million this year.

Aides to Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) and radio talk show host Alan Keyes said their figures are not yet complete.