Paul, Cain Lead Campaign Money Race in Lexington County

Residents in Lexington County have so far donated a total $6,846 to GOP presidential candidates this year, according to Federal Elections Commission figures released this week.

Since January, a total of 26 donors gave the lion's share of their money to just two candidates. Texas Rep. Ron Paul came out on top with nine donations totaling $2,941, followed by businessman Herman Cain who took in $2,000 with five donations.

The balance of donations went to just three other candidates: Texas Gov. Rick Perry with $1,000 (three donations); Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann with $550 (two donations); and, coming in last, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with $355 (seven donations).

The average donation was $263. Paul not only got the most donations, he also received the single largest contribution -- $1,500, from Mark Rountree of West Columbia. While Romney received nearly as many donations as Paul, the vast majority were small, the smallest being $10.

Six Lexington town residents donated a total of $1,286, split amongst Bachmann, Cain and Paul. The biggest bulk of donations -- a total of $2,545 -- came from West Columbia, and it all went to Paul. 

Different story statewide

The financial picture looks different when looked at from a statewide level. Perry, who wasn’t even a candidate for the GOP nomination until mid-August when Perry made his announcement here in South Carolina, has surged to the front of state fundraising thanks to some fast and large donations. 

Perry, whose Palmetto State poll numbers have soured after a hot start, has raised $103,650 from S.C. contributors in six weeks, according to the Federal Elections Commission figures. Perry's 81 donations, primarily from Upstate residents, averaged $1,280. 

Following Perry in state fundraising is former Sen. Rick Santorum, who has raised $80,080 among S.C. donors; Romney, who has raised $75,230 ($54,000 of it coming in the third quarter) and Paul, who has raised $54,999 since the campaign began. 

Cain, who leads the latest S.C. GOP poll among primary voters, has raised $23,484. Bachmann, who spent a great deal of time in South Carolina over the summer, has yet to make a serious funding impact, raising $23,197. Meanwhile, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has raised $16,460. 

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty raised $2,800 before dropping out of the race. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, whose campaign appears to be in financial distress following this recent round of financial disclosures, has raised $2,550. And former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson has raised $451. 

South Carolina, which will hold its first-in-the-South primary on Jan. 21, isn’t just opening its pocketbook for Republican candidates, however. While the GOP presidential candidates have raised $382,902 in this election cycle, incumbent President Barack Obama, who is visiting North Carolina and Virginia this week, has raised $238,291 among S.C. voters, according to the FEC.