Jones Pledges Own $2M to Fight Boxer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Trailing in fund-raising and polls, Republican Senate candidate Bill Jones (search) said Wednesday he will spend $2 million of his own money on his race to unseat Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer (search) in November.

Made on the eve of the release of fund-raising reports expected to show him far behind Boxer in campaign cash, Jones told a gathering of the Sacramento Press Club he would spend the money because "this election is as critical as any election in generations."

Analysts called the move a sign of fund-raising trouble.

"Candidates dip into their own pocket when they can't raise the money," said Robert Stern, president of the Los Angeles-based Center for Governmental Studies (search). "It's a little bit of desperation, frankly."

Jones is a Fresno-area businessman, former secretary of state and Assembly leader.

While Boxer is heavily favored, GOP leaders are still making fund-raising stops for Jones. Sen. John McCain, Vice President Dick Cheney and former New York Mayor plan to make visits.