Susana Martinez (left, courtesy photo) and Diane Denish (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez outraised Democrat Diane Denish more than 3-1 in the last reporting period, but Denish still has almost $2 million more than Martinez going forward.
That’s pretty much where we’d expect things to be. Martinez should have raised more money in the reporting period immediately following her primary victory – her party had been waiting to gather around one candidate and get on with focusing on Denish, so Martinez should have raised money at a quick pace. But Denish has spent two years collecting money, so she should have more on hand.
Martinez raised $611,247.21 and spent $453,371.66 during the reporting period, according to her report. That left her with $300,020.29 on hand. Denish raised $187,628.91 and spent $656,732.40 during the reporting period, according to her report. That left her with $2,187,283.88 on hand.
Among Martinez’s most notable contributions this reporting period were $250,000 from the Republican Governors Association, $25,000 from the state GOP and $25,000 from Jalapeno Corporation, the company owned by state GOP Chairman Harvey Yates. Though Denish has accepted some large contributions in the past, this report from Denish includes only smaller contributions.
The RGA has high hopes for Martinez. As I’ve already reported, the group worked behind the scenes for Martinez in the primary, and it has given money so far in only four of 37 gubernatorial races across the nation. The GOP considers this one of the top races in the country in 2010.
The Martinez campaign was quick to point out, however, that of her 943 contributions during the reporting period, 77 percent were for $100 or less.
“The Martinez campaign is humbled by the generous contributions of so many New Mexicans,” said Campaign Manager Ryan Cangiolosi. “Tired of the Richardson/Denish Administration’s support for big government, high taxes and pay-to-play corruption, voters are rallying to Susana’s message of bold change for New Mexico and contributing the resources necessary for her to win in November.”
Denish, on the other hand, focused on the big picture, touting the fact that she’s raised $5,216,435.92 from 11,199 donors since she entered the race, with 90 percent of those donors being from New Mexico. In the last reporting period, her campaign said, almost 92 percent of donors were New Mexicans.
“New Mexicans know that Diane Denish will be a different kind of governor, someone who will be on the side of families and small businesses, and that’s why so many folks have made contributions to her campaign,” said Oren Shur, Denish’s campaign manager. “There are two things Diane has going for her that Susana Martinez doesn’t: a clear agenda to help New Mexico families get ahead and the grassroots support needed to win a competitive statewide campaign.”
Here’s a summary of fundraising in the other statewide races:
Attorney general
Republican Matthew Chandler outraised Democratic incumbent Gary King in the attorney general’s race by a few hundred dollars, but King has more cash on hand.
Chandler raised $22,372.97, spent $5,803.84, and ended the reporting period with $125,002.84 on hand, according to his report. King raised $21,760, spent $13,671.69 and ended the reporting period with $145,370.73 on hand, according to his report.
Land commissioner
Republican Matt Rush outraised Democrat Ray Powell in the land commissioner’s race, but Powell has a little more cash on hand.
Rush raised $21,325, spent $2,972.73 and ended the reporting period with $37,622.97 on hand, according to his report. Powell raised $8,094.01, spent $11,710.18 and ended the reporting period with $38,694.92 on hand, according to his report.
Secretary of state
Republican Dianna Duran outraised Democratic incumbent Mary Herrera in the secretary of state’s race, but Herrera has more cash on hand.
Duran raised $14,500, spent $2,738.74 and ended the reporting period with $20,207.21 on hand, according to her report. Herrera raised $4,225, spent $573.66 and ended the reporting period with $51,484.73 on hand, according to her report.
State auditor
Democratic incumbent Hector Balderas didn’t raise any money in the last reporting period, but he’s sitting pretty on a load of cash in his race against Republican Errol Chavez.
Balderas raised nothing during the last reporting period, spent $271.44 and ended the reporting period with $130,237.64 on hand, according to his report. Chavez hasn’t yet filed his report.
State treasurer
Democratic incumbent James B. Lewis outraised Republican Jim Schoonover in the treasurer’s race and has more money on hand.
Lewis raised $5,725, spent $1,239.91 and ended the reporting period with $30,706.08 on hand, according to his report. Schoonover, who has recently spent time campaigning on Twitter instead of traveling around the state with the other GOP candidates, raised nothing, spent nothing, and ended the reporting period with $798.94 on hand, according to his report.
A prior version of this posting incorrectly identified Denish as a Republican.