Senate Candidate Finds Thousands Of Dollars In A Backpack. Guess What He Does Next.

Senate Candidate Finds Thousands Of Dollars In A Backpack. Guess What He Does Next.
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A Senate candidate in Montana found a backpack with $12,000 in cash outside a church in Missoula on Sunday, according to a report from the Helena Independent Record's Mike Dennison.

"That's what I thought it was: Somebody left some money for my campaign," Champ Edmunds told Dennison with a laugh on Monday. "And the other deacon [at the church] said, 'Hey, what are you talking about? That money was left for the church!'"

Edmunds is vying for the GOP nomination, but is considered a long shot in the race.

Edmunds told Dennison there was $12,182 in cash in the bag, which also contained six cell phones, an electronic tablet and forms of identification. Edmunds said the name on those matched that of someone with an outstanding arrest warrant.

He turned in the bag and its contents to the Missoula Police Department, and police Sgt. Travis Welsh said Monday the department is trying to determine the owner of the backpack and whether it is related to a crime.

Edmunds, a state representative, is running for the seat vacated by Democrat Max Baucus and currently held by appointed Sen. John Walsh (D). Rep. Steve Daines is the favorite for the GOP nomination; Susan Cundiff is also in the GOP race.

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Before You Go

Candidates' Kids On The Campaign Trail
The Huntsman Girls(01 of10)
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Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman's three oldest daughters made a name for themselves by tweeting from the campaign trail using the @jon2012girls account in 2012. Liddy, Mary Anne and Abby, all in their mid-twenties, have steadily gained followers since the campaign.Huntsman's daughters have also done a slew of television interviews, and have produced a few campaign videos of their own--most notably, a parody of Herman Cain's infamous smoking ad. (credit:AP)
Meghan McCain(02 of10)
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Arizona Senator John McCain's daughter was a staple on the campaign circuit in 2008, often blogging about life on the trail. Meghan, who has been vocal on issues like same-sex marriage and abstinence-only education, hoped to help her father connect with the younger generation of voters. The 27-year-old has since parlayed her campaign season fame into a career as a political commentator. She writes a column for the Daily Beast, released a campaign memoir in 2010 and was recently hired as an MSNBC contributor. (credit:Getty Images)
The Romney Brothers(03 of10)
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Former Massachusetts Governor Romney's five sons, who were a frequent sight on the campaign trail in 2008, have reemerged to support their father in his latest presidential bid. Oldest son Tagg has been giving interviews and courting young GOP donors, while middle child Josh meets with voters in Iowa. Craig, Mitt's youngest son, has also made a few appearances with his father. (credit:AP)
Rand Paul(04 of10)
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Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), the son of libertarian Ron Paul, has been active in his father's latest presidential campaign. He often sends e-mails on behalf of the elder Paul, a congressman from Texas, and has made appearances on the trail to stump for his dad. (credit:Getty Images)
Elizabeth Santorum(05 of10)
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Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum's 20-year-old daughter--shown here during her father's unsuccessful re-election bid in 2006-- was a fixture on her dad's failed 2012 presidential run. Currently a student at the University of Dallas, Elizabeth took time off from her studies to meet with voters in Iowa, host events and give radio interviews. (credit:AP)
The Palins(06 of10)
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In 2008, GOP Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin's family made a splash on the campaign trail. The former Alaska governor's five children--Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper, and Trig--often appeared at campaign events with their mom, even after news broke that teenage Bristol was pregnant. (credit:Getty Images)
Beau Biden(07 of10)
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Beau, Delaware's Attorney General, introduced his soon-to-be-VP dad Joe at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. His speech, which detailed the auto accident that killed his mother and sister, moved some delegates to tears. (credit:AP)
Sarah Huckabee(08 of10)
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Mike Huckabee's daughter, Sarah, took on a bigger role in her father's campaign than the usual routine of stump speeches and photo-ops. She acted as her dad's field director and top campaign adviser, and reportedly played an integral role in her dad's surprising Iowa caucus win. (credit:AP)
Cate Edwards(09 of10)
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Cate first started campaigning with her dad, a former Senator from North Carolina, while an undergrad at Princeton in 2004. During his 2008 campaign, she started making campaign stops on her own in key states like New Hampshire. After news of her father's affair broke, her role took a decidedly different turn as she stood by Edwards during his perp walk from a Winston-Salem courthouse. (credit:Getty Images)
The Bush Twins(10 of10)
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The Bush Twins were notably absent on the trail in 2000, but became more publicly involved in George W. Bush's reelection campaign in 2004. They made appearances on their father's bus tour through swing states, and worked at the campaign's Arlington headquarters. (credit:Getty Images)