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Ottenheimer received $92K in donations for PC leadership bid

John Ottenheimer, who was narrowly defeated on a third ballot by Paul Davis at the PC leadership convention on Sept. 13, has sent his list of donors to the party.
Former PC leadership candidate John Ottenheimer received $92,020 in donations from more than 100 residents and businesses across the province. (CBC)

John Ottenheimer has released his donors' list for his PC leadership campaign.

The lawyer and former cabinet minister, who was narrowly defeated on a third ballot by Paul Davis at the convention on Sept. 13, sent his list of donors to the provincial PC Party on Sept. 15.

In total, he said he received $92,020 in donations from more than 100 residents and businesses from across the province.

All three PC leadership candidates told CBC News they will file their list of contributors and total expenses to the PC Party by the deadline. (CBC)
While former premier Danny Williams publicly stated that he was staying out of the race, his AHL team, the St. John's IceCaps, contributed $2,500 to the Ottenheimer campaign.

Similar donations were given by companies including Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, Oceanex, and Pennecon.

While Bill Barry had thrown his name into the ring during the previous leadership contest and later withdrew, his company contributed $1,000 to Ottenheimer in this latest competition.

Some other public faces who backed Ottenheimer include St. John's councillor Ron Ellsworth and former cabinet minister Trevor Taylor.

The person in charge of Ottenheimer's finances said expenses are still being tallied, and more donations may still come in. It is not known how much money Ottenheimer had spent personally on his campaign.

Davis, Kent still assembling paperwork

A spokesperson for Paul Davis, who won the bid for leadership of the PC party and now holds the title of premier-designate, said they don't have financial information that they're ready to release.

Meanwhile, third place candidate Steve Kent is counting on more donations.

He said with bills coming in, there is a considerable gap that he needs to close, with future fundraising efforts.

He said after that fundraising is completed, he will release his donor list.

Kent threw his support behind Davis after falling off the ballot during Saturday's leadership vote. He said he hasn't asked Davis for help with fundraising.

All three PC leadership candidates told CBC News that they will file their list of contributors and expenses to the PC party by the deadline.