When it comes to fundraising, Mitt Romney is the West's presidential candidate. The former Massachusetts governor leads all candidates in the 11 states considered Western, according to the High Country News.
Mr. Romney, who will be in Oklahoma City Tuesday afternoon at the OU Health Sciences Center, received $12.56 million in donations from Colorado west to the Pacific Ocean.
In that category, he leads candidates from both parties. For the nation, he's third on the money list behind Democrat Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
The magazine says part of the appeal is Mr. Romney's religion. There are more members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the West than in any other part of the nation. Mr. Romney is the only Mormon presidential candidate.
High Country News analyzed the candidates' campaign records. They opined Mr. Romney's early success has taken some of the zip and cash from Sen. John McCain's campaign.
In the 11 Western states, Mr. Romney leads fundraising in Oregon, Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. He finished second in Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado and Montana. Sen. Clinton won California; Sen. Obama won Washington, Montana and Colorado.
