George Allen Gives Campaign Last-Minute $500,000

By Shane Goldmacher  //  November 1, 2012 | 10:23 a.m.

Updated at 10:40 a.m.

Virginia GOP Senate nominee George Allen has dipped into his own wallet for a $500,000 last-minute cash-infusion -- a potential sign of financial trouble in the race's closing days.

Allen, the former governor and senator, has consistently trailed his Democratic opponent, former Gov. Tim Kaine, in fundraising. Since the start of the campaign, Kaine has raised more than $16.7 million to Allen's nearly $11.9 million.

Allen made the $500,000 contribution on October 29, according to late filings made with the Senate. It is not clear if the money is a contribution or a loan from the filing.

Katie Wright, a spokesperson for Allen's campaign, said the $500,000 amounted to "a line of credit to have maximum flexibility to access funds we continue to raise online and through credit card donations."

"This race will come down to the wire, the momentum is on our side and we feel good about our position as we head into the final weekend," Wright said.

Polls in the state have shown a close race. On Wednesday, a new Quinnipiac/New York Times/CBS News poll showed Kaine leading Allen 50 percent to 46 percent. Meanwhile, another survey from Roanoke College showed Allen leading Kaine 47 percent to 42 percent. Also on Wednesday, the Kaine campaign announced in a conference call that it had expanded its media buys -- including radio, online and television -- from $7.5 million to $9.5 million. Allen's last-minute contribution could be an effort to counter that buy.

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