PSC candidates raising big-time campaign cash

You know it’s a screwy political season when a candidate for the state Public Service Commission is raising more money than a major contender in the race for mayor. Still, that’s how the 2012 election is shaping up in East Baton Rouge Parish. According to the latest campaign finance reports, filed Tuesday, PSC hopeful Scott Angelle raised more than $492,000 between August and October. Coupled with the $338,000 or so he already had, the former secretary of the Department of Natural Resources has raised more than $830,000—and has $512,000 on hand to spend between now and Nov. 6. That’s more than Metro Councilman Mike Walker, who is challenging Mayor Kip Holden in the local mayor’s race and has raised about $412,000 since the beginning of the year. It’s also more than Angelle’s major challenger, Baton Rouge contractor Erich Ponti, who has raised a total of $360,000, including $85,500 during the two-month reporting period. He is showing $292,800 on hand to spend between now and the Nov. 6 election. Given the low name recognition of both candidates outside of political circles, money for a media blitz will be critical to victory in the election for the seat on the state regulatory agency. You can search all of the candidates’ campaign finance reports online here. —Stephanie Riegel