Report:

The Federal Election Commission’s first quarter fundraising reports were released to a barrage of spin this week, as the 46th district’s congressional candidates tried to frame their fundraising efforts as successful.

According to the numbers, however, it was Democrat Debbie Cook who came out on top this quarter, with more than $47,208.01 in contributions — about 18% more than Republican incumbent Dana Rohrabacher’s $39,078.

While Rohrabacher has far more cash on hand — $331,253.68 to Cook’s $32,314.44 — Cook’s communications director said he thought Cook’s fundraising advantage showed a tangible groundswell of support for the Huntington Beach Mayor that posed a real threat to Rohrabacher’s seat.

“I was a little surprised by the numbers, but I know that Debbie has a lot of strong support here in the 46th district, and I knew she could count on these individuals in the area who have supported her in the past,” he said. “The basis for her support — aside from one PAC donation — is individual donors.”

Rohrabacher dismissed the significance of the numbers, saying his name-recognition and policy positions would allow him to continue carrying his seat this November.

“I’ve never raised much money for my campaigns,” he said. “I think people know what I stand for, and I don’t think that any great amount of spending is going to convince people to vote against me.

“The reason I’m here is my positive, conservative philosophy, which is something voters identify with,” he added. “I don’t think there’s any way an opponent can spend a lot of money and change that.”

Debbie Cook’s Democratic rival Dan Kalmick raised $1,545 in individual contributions, and said the amount was a testament to his campaign’s streamlined electioneering and door-to-door fundraising.

“The numbers were on par with what we expected,” he said. “A lot of our contributions were $25 to $50 from younger people, and a few friends from college, with real jobs, who could write me a check for $200.”

“I’m not a fan of $100-a-plate dinners,” he added. “I think most of the people that can go to that are Republicans…I’d much rather have a $10 hot dog with a keg of beer, that’s way more Democratic to me.”

Republican challenger Ronald R. St. John did not file a report with the commission, as his contributions were less than the $5,000 cutoff. However, he said his campaign had raised about $2,500.

Efforts to contact Green Party candidate Tom Lash, who also did not file a financial report with the commission, were unsuccessful.

CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or at chris.caesar@latimes.com. MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at michael.alexander@latimes.com.