IP candidate David Dillon one of top campaign self-funders in the country

David Dillon, Independence Party candidate in the 3rd District race, is really staying independent. Money wise, it's probably not on purpose.

Dillon's campaign is the eighth biggest self-funded in the country based on percentage, according to a Center for Responsive Politics report this week. Livin' ain't easy when you're out on your own. Dillon is running against Democratic candidate Ashwin Madia and Republican Erik Paulsen in one of the most expensive and competitive races in the country. Money from large national campaigns are flooding the district.

According to the report, Dillon has contributed $122,630 of his campaign's total $150,513 as of Sept. 2. That's 81 percent of the campaign funds.

The report says:

This election cycle, congressional candidates raised a total of $910 million through June, $37 million of which came from their own pockets--a large number, but only 4 percent of the total. Most people don't have a big enough piggy bank to finance a campaign even partially, and for those who do, easy access to money doesn't necessarily help their chances of getting elected. Candidates who spent more than $350,000 of their personal wealth to challenge incumbents won just two out of 32 times since the 2004 election, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. In contests for open seats since 2004, self-financed candidates won seven of 14 elections.

Dillon also seems to be a factor in the race, despite his low total contributions. According to a poll last month, Dillon had 9 percent of the vote and 8 percent were undecided.