Ravnsborg raises $3K, loans self $20K

In his first fundraising quarter, U.S. Senate candidate Jason Ravnsborg took in just over $3,000 from individual donors. The Yankton Republican loaned himself $20,000 to jump-start his campaign.

Ravnsborg took in $3,127.80 from 22 donors. He got no money from political action committees or businesses.

His $20,000 loan was made shortly after Ravnsborg entered the race in December.

In the first three months of the year Ravnsborg spent $19,163.04, most of it for Political Innovations, Ravnsborg's Texas-based political consultants.

Ravnsborg said his fundraising started to pick up at the very end of the quarter, and that he has an upcoming Sioux Falls fundraiser with comedian Jim Labriola, best known for his recurring role on "Home Improvement." He said he plans to launch radio ads soon.

"I'll be fine," Ravnsborg said.

But Ravnsborg had just $3,964.76 in the bank at the end of March, an order of magnitude or more less than any of his rivals for the Republican nomination.

Here's a spreadsheet comparing fundraising performances from a variety of South Dakota candidates.