Indian-American raises $ 1 mn for state campaign

US President Barack Obama's former Indian-American policy adviser Raja Krishnamoorthi has raised more than US $ 1 million for his campaign for post of Illinois state comptroller, for which he has also received support from leading city dailies.

After endorsements from the Chicago Tribune and Chicago SunTimes, Krishanamoorthi now also has support of the Peoria Journal Star, which said in an editorial, "one candidate here is top-notch, precisely the kind of young man citizens should want in politics. Central Illinois Democrats should turn out in a big way for Raja Krishnamoorthi".

Former deputy treasurer of Illinois, Krishnamoorthi said the US $ 1 million amount is believed to be the most ever raised by a non-incumbent comptroller candidate at this stage in a campaign. Krishnamoorthi filed his semi-annual disclosure report on Thursday, with the Illinois State Board of Elections, showing that he had raised a total of US $ 952,844.95 from April 22, 2009 through December 31, 2009.

Since January 1, 2010, his committee has raised funds that now push the total beyond the US $ 1 million mark. "The unprecedented financial support we have received during these tough economic times demonstrates a hunger in Illinois for candidates who believe public service is an opportunity to help others," Krishnamoorthi said.

A Democratic candidate, Krishnamoorthi is one of the six in fray for the post of the state's chief fiscal officer in the February 2 primaries. If elected, he would be the first Asian-American to hold the state office.