WASHINGTON — Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, still has a sizable lead in his campaign bank account over his Democratic opponent Peter Ashdown, based on the latest Federal Election Commission reports.

Candidates for federal office in November's election had to file reports by midnight Saturday showing contributions received and expenditures made from Jan. 1 through March 31. The House incumbent and candidate reports were still coming in late Saturday evening.

Ashdown had a goal of raising $100,000 this quarter according to his blog on his Web site www.peteashdown.org but only received $21,387.63 in contributions this quarter, with $40,169.26 in contributions received this election cycle. Ashdown has $18,909 cash on hand, according to his report.

"It is difficult for us to convince people that yes, this is possible," Ashdown said of his attempt to unseat Hatch, who has served in the Senate for 30 years. "I have to make the assumption that we are not going to make those goals."

Ashdown said he will still focus on fund raising and finds it frustrating that he often has to decide between going out and seeing people in Utah or staying in and calling donors to help finance the campaign.

He spent $4,522 this quarter and has spent $34,235 on his campaign so far.

"Sen. Hatch probably spends that much in a week," Ashdown said. "I am very effective at managing money."

He said this should translate into how he could effectively manage taxpayer money should he be elected to Congress.

Meanwhile, Hatch received $428,967.85 in contributions this quarter, bringing his total raised this election cycle to almost $3.9 million. He has roughly $2.3 million cash on hand.

Dave Hansen, Hatch's campaign director, said he is frugal with contributors' money and it is hard to say exactly where the bulk of the money will be spent.

"We'll see as the campaign goes along," Hansen said. He said advertising, signs, travel around the state to meet people all cost money and it is hard to pinpoint right now where all the money will go.

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