We've finished crunching the latest Saxton filings here at Saxton Watch. Saxton has racked up some decent consultant bills - but that probably comes easy working in a corporate law firm.

The crew includes several national GOP clients including the same firms that did TV and direct mail for the Swift Boaters. And then there is the uber-GOP firm FLS, a subsidary of the DCI Group. This is the same firm that ran a slime campaign against John McCain in the 2000 South Carolina primary.

So if you've wondered why Saxton's campaign is basically a stream of attack ads - here's your answer.

Here is the breakdown:

Saxton Has Spent Over $2.4 Million on TV & Radio Advertising. Saxton’s C&E filings reveal that the campaign has spent $2.44 million on television and radio advertising through Republican advertising firm Mentzer Media Services of Maryland, including $817,410 in the primary and $1,624,170 so far in the general. Mentzer bought over $40 million in advertising for the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and Progress For America in 2004. [OR Sec of State; LA Times, 11/7/2004]

Saxton Has Given Nearly $350,000 to Key GOP Firm – FLS Connect/DCI Group. Saxton’s C&E filings reveal that his campaign has given $346,701 to FLS Connect/DCI Group. FLS Connect’s clients include Bush/Cheney 2000 & 2004, the RNC, NRSC, NRCC, RGA and all 50 Republican state parties. The firm’s website prominently displays Karl Rove’s endorsement declaring “I know these guys well.” Little surprise, as firm partner Tony Feather was Bush/Cheney 2000’s political director and before that coordinated the slime campaign against John McCain in 2000 South Carolina primary. [OR Sec of State; flsphones.com; PR Watch, #4 2004; Washington Post, 4/30/00]

Saxton Has Given Nearly $350,000 to Swift Boat Direct Mail Firm Creative Direct. Saxton’s C&E filings reveal that his campaign has given $346,701 to Creative Direct, LLC. The firm’s website boasts they have helped hundreds of GOP campaigns including the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the RNC, the NRSC, and the RGA. [OR Sec of State; www.creativedirect.net]

Saxton Has Expended Over $150,000 for Republican Media Consultant Scott Cottington. Saxton’s C&E filings reveal that his campaign has given Minnesota-based GOP media consultant Scott Cottington $152,916 in compensation. Cottington was the political director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 1980 and 1986. [OR Sec of State; Campaigns & Elections, September 2002]

Saxton Has Expended Nearly $8,000 for GOP Consultant Patrick Davis. Saxton’s C&E filings reveal that his campaign has given $7,951 in compensation to Colorado-based GOP consultant Patrick Davis. Davis was political director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2004. [OR Sec of State; Roll Call, 8/3/06]