A local Democratic candidate for state representative in the 101st House District this election year raised more money for his campaign in 2007 than all the other candidates combined.

Dan Scripps of Leland noted last week that campaign finance reports filed with the Michigan Secretary of State earlier this year show that he raised $30,878 in 2007 and that the three Republican candidates combined raised slightly less – $30,780.

The state representative currently filling the 101st House District seat, David Palsrok (R-Manistee), is term-limited and cannot run for re-election. Three other Republicans – Ray Franz of Onekama, Janice McCraner of Arcadia, and Mike McManus of Lake Leelanau – are currently vying for the Republican nomination.

The Secretary of State reports “provide the first glimpse into the various campaigns for state representative here in the 101st District,” Scripps was quoted as saying in a news release. “This will be a hard-fought election all the way through Nov. 4. But this is a great way to start.”

Scripps noted that he also raised more money than any other non-incumbent in the state. He said his success in fundraising reflects the status of the 101st District as a “toss-up.”

Historically, voters in the 101st District, which includes Benzie, Leelanau, Manistee and Mason counties, have elected Republicans as their state House representative.

Scripps added that he has started the 2008 election year with $34,032 on hand – $8,000 more than the three Republicans combined. He said that the 390 individual contributions he received amounted to five times as many contributions as the three Republicans combined. Citing Secretary of State numbers, Scripps said that while self-financing represented 70 percent of the Republican total, he is relying instead on friends and neighbors across the district to fund his campaign.

Scripps, an attorney with a background in environmental law, is currently employed part-time by the Leelanau Conservancy.