Horner: Campaign more than half-way toward $2.5M goal

Independence Party candidate for governor Tom Horner says he has raised more than half of the $2.5 million he said his campaign would need to be successful.

On Minnesota Public Radio News' Midday program, Horner said some of the endorsements he's landed from business leaders have helped attract campaign contributions.

"Since the primary, every week has been better than the week before in fundraising," Horner said. "The challenging news for me is I need four more record weeks. It's coming along well."

In addition to direct campaign contributions, Horner has received about $350,000 in state public financing and political check-off money.

Horner also defended his decision not to disclose the list of clients he represented prior to getting out of public relations and getting into the race for governor.

Horner said confidentiality agreements prevent him from naming some former clients. Horner said in cases where his past customers could be effected by proposals he's making as a candidate for governor, he has disclosed connections.

"When I proposed the Vikings plan to keep the Vikings in Minnesota I have always started it by saying that we have done, the firm I previously worked with, had done work with the Vikings. So I had been transparent there," he said.

Candidates for governor won't have to report their fundraising to the state campaign finance board until October 25.