U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka's re-election campaign fell $188,534 into debt at the end of September after campaign officials chose to keep money available for television and radio advertisements rather than pay all expenses.

The campaign owed money to the Mellman Group for polling, Laird Christianson Advertising for media ads, the law firm Winer Meheula & Devens for campaign management, and Elisa Yadao for public relations.

"It allowed us a little bit of breathing room on the cash flow side," said Andy Winer, Akaka's campaign manager, adding that some of the debt has been paid down as fundraising continues.

Akaka's quarterly campaign-finance report, which covers campaign activity in September, also shows that the senator has chosen to classify the $25,000 he gave to his campaign before the primary as a donation instead of a loan. The senator said he gave the campaign the money in the waning days before his victory over U.S. Rep. Ed Case to help offset independent spending for Case by the National Association of Realtors political action committee and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Akaka, who is facing Windward state Rep. Cynthia Thielen, a Republican, in the general election in November, reported raising $239,761 in September. The campaign has brought in more than $2.7 million overall.

Thielen reported raising $58,832 in September after she was appointed to replace ailing former Navy pilot and motivational speaker Jerry Coffee on the ballot. Thielen also loaned her campaign $25,000.

Laura H. Thielen, Thielen's campaign manager, said a pre-general election report due Thursday will show Thielen has raised about $200,000.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.