Rep. Gary Condit lends his campaign $50,000

FRESNO, Calif. -- With his war chest almost empty a week before the primary, Rep. Gary Condit has loaned his campaign $50,000.

"The loan is to get us to the finish line," Condit's son Chad, one of his campaign workers, said Wednesday.

Condit, 53, a Democrat, is running for re-election to the 18th Congressional District in central California.

A report filed with the Federal Election Commission shows Condit made the loan Monday. Chad Condit said his father had extra cash after selling his Washington condominium.

It was not clear how the money would be spent, or if Condit would use it to air mainstream television ads in the days before Tuesday's primary. Condit reported having $17,691 in cash two weeks ago. Records show he has spent more than $150,000 on legal and public relations expenses since May, when 24-year-old federal intern Chandra Levy vanished from Washington. Police sources have said he admitted they had an affair.

Condit is not considered a suspect in her disappearance.

e but many of the congressman's loyal donors turned to his rival, California Assemblyman Dennis Cardoza, following the scandal.

Cardoza had about $82,000 in the bank two weeks ago and has been running television ads for weeks.