AUGUSTA – Maine’s numerous congressional candidates, with their pre-election year fund raising done, are totaling up their numbers and preparing their claims of success.

Look forward to a fixture in modern politics – a free-for-all of boasting and spin.

“In today’s world, it’s a legitimate measure,” said state Senate President Richard Bennett, the Norway Republican who began to gear up for a U.S. House run himself last year before changing his mind.

“There are so few indicators at this point in a congressional race that are sort of objective. Success in fund raising is usually one that people focus on,” Bennett said.

The money race took shape early on in Maine’s U.S. Senate contest.

In July, the campaign of Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins announced she had raised more than $1 million, with more than three-quarters collected during the reporting period that ended on June 30.

Collins, seemingly assured of the GOP nomination for a second term, reported spending about $1.6 million on her last campaign.

Meanwhile, in her report around the same time last summer, Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Chellie Pingree said her campaign had raised more than $310,000.

Pingree, a former state Senate majority leader from North Haven, faces a primary challenge from former Clinton administration official Bob Dunfey of York, whose early fund raising was pegged at about $42,000.

Financial strength in the lower-profile U.S. House campaigns has been more difficult to gauge thus far. That’s likely to change by the end of the month.

Candidates for Congress – House and Senate – must disclose contributions and expenditures over the second half of 2001 by Jan. 31.

For many in the U.S. House races, those reports will be their first.

Anticipating close scrutiny from potential campaign backers and the media, a candidate seeking money had an added incentive to maximize collections during the closing weeks of 2001 in hopes of making a big January splash.

“That’s a typical tactic,” Bennett said. “There’s always a big rush before filing day.”

In a “Dear supporter” letter that went out in early December, the 2nd Congressional District campaign of Democrat Sean Faircloth solicited donations from supporters by emphasizing the importance of a good showing in the fund-raising sweepstakes.

“The ‘starting gun’ for election year 2002 is less than a month away – and your increased financial support is urgently needed,” the campaign letter said.

“In January, the media will focus on the primary candidates from the 2nd Congressional District, placing greater attention on both the issues and fund-raising progress. … Now is the time to consider doubling your contribution if you can – or, if possible, increasing it to the $1000 limit. Please act quickly.

“Only contributions received before Dec. 31 will be included in the media’s initial report. This report will show that the campaign is strong and well-organized, and will help those who are undecided make a decision,” the Faircloth campaign letter said.

Primary elections are five months away and candidates at this stage are likely to put off major outlays for staff. Informal gatherings with voters have yet to give way to television ads. Much campaign time remains devoted to more fund raising.

Given the attention paid to the amounts of money raised, Bennett suggests that candidates must expect to be judged on their skill at doing it.

Another indicator that bears watching, he said, is “the ability of a candidate to hold onto it and not spend it foolishly.”