Heinrich raises $181,000 for congressional run

Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich raised more than $181,000 in the last three months for his bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M.

Heinrich, a Democrat, announced in a news release today that he raised more than $181,000 from nearly 700 donors for the reporting period that ended June 30 – his first in the race.

“I am truly humbled by the strong support my candidacy has received,” Heinrich said in the release. “The outpouring of grassroots energy I have witnessed since entering this race demonstrates to me that voters are ready for new leadership. As I have spoken with voters across this district, they have told me that they’re sick and tired of the failed policies of George Bush and Heather Wilson, and they’re ready to put our country back on the right track.”

Heinrich’s campaign manager, Philip Muller, said he didn’t have exact numbers for Heinrich’s expenses or how much cash he has on hand, but said the on-hand amount would be more than $150,000.

“We’ve been running a very lean, mean operation,” he said. “Martin’s been very focused on what we’ve been about what we need to do, and we’ve really gotten a very good response. We’re getting ready for a very long campaign, but we’re feeling very good about it.”

The news release stated that 71 percent of contributors live in the First Congressional District and 88 percent are from New Mexico. His is a race that is always contested, and involvement of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the fundraising arm of House Democrats, is automatic, so getting some sizable contributions from outside New Mexico isn’t a surprise.

The announcement comes less than a day after Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley, who is attempting to unseat U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., next year, announced that he raised just under $140,000 during the reporting period. He spent $6,300 during the period and had $133,300 on hand.

Heinrich has hired more staff than McCamley, so it’s not a surprise that he has spent more money.

McCamley’s money came from 216 contributors, so his average contribution was about $650. Heinrich’s average contribution was about $250.

Heinrich isn’t the only Democrat in the race. Lawyer Jon Adams just entered the race.

Update, 3:10 p.m.

Fernando Cuevas, spokesman for the DCCC, said Heinrich and McCamley both “had a really strong showing” in second-quarter fundraising.

“Overall, nationwide, they are above par,” he said. “They did really well.”

A prior version of this posting incorrectly stated that Heinrich is the only Democrat in the race.

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