Six
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) -- Democratic attorney general incumbent Steve Six has spent more than $1 million so far to try to retain his Kansas office Nov. 2.
Six's spending is more than double that of his GOP rival and state Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, according to campaign finance records.
As The Associated Press reported, finance records available Tuesday showed Six had spent more than $1.1 million through last Thursday. Schmidt had spent less than $474,000.
Statewide candidates were required to file their latest finance reports electronically by midnight Monday, disclosing contributions and spending from July 23 through Oct. 21.
The records also showed Six had raised nearly $1.2 million for the race compared with $506,000 for Schmidt, the AP reported.
But the attorney general has been raising money longer.
Six started raising money in March 2008, soon after he was appointed by then-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who is now serving as President Barack Obama's Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Six, who previously was a Douglas County trial judge, replaced Paul Morrison, who resigned over a sex scandal.
Schmidt started raising funds 18 months later, in September 2009.
According to the results of a SurveyUSA poll released earlier this month, Schmidt edges Six 48 to 40 percent.
According to the polling company, when polling began two months ago, Schmidt led by 20 points.
Six appeared to have "continued momentum" among men and among voters under age 50, the Oct. 13 survey found.
The poll found Schmidt also made gains -- among women and older voters.
"Compared to other, stable Kansas statewide contests, there is notable volatility in the Attorney General race," the polling company said.
"Any outcome is possible," it said at the time.
SurveyUSA had interviewed 950 Kansas adults Oct. 10-12. Of them, 818 were registered to vote. Of the registered voters, 619 were determined to be likely to vote in the November general election.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by e-mail at jessica@legalnewsline.com.