U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., raised $251,000 in the third quarter of 2007 – more than U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson and most likely more than either of the Democratic opponents running for his congressional seat.
The strong effort brings Pearce’s on-hand cash at the end of the third quarter to more than $582,000 and indicates that he might be able to keep up with Wilson in a potential Senate primary. Though Wilson has put together some strong support in recent days for her run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici next year, the case for Pearce is bolstered by a recent SurveyUSA poll that found that he is stronger statewide against potential Democratic opponents than Wilson.
Pearce’s is the first third-quarter fundraising report for any New Mexico candidate to be filed publicly. Candidates must file them by Monday. View Pearce’s report by clicking here.
The report indicates that Pearce raised $251,021 during the quarter and spent $52,040. That left him with $582,312 on hand. Pearce’s contributions included about $203,000 from individuals and $48,000 from political action committees.
Wilson has not filed her report, but announced this week that she raised $238,000 during the quarter and had $754,000 on hand on Sept. 30. The money from the congressional campaigns of Pearce and Wilson can be transferred to senatorial campaigns. Wilson has officially entered the Senate race. Pearce is still considering it.
Pearce has raised $582,000 this election cycle, while Wilson has raised $908,000. Though her overall total dwarfs his, Wilson began fundraising for this election cycle immediately after being re-elected last year, knowing she would face another tough challenge in 2008, while Pearce didn’t get started on heavy fundraising until months later.
In recent days, Wilson has shored up support by getting commitments from Vice President Dick Cheney and U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert that they will hold fundraisers for her later this year. In addition, two consultants that have worked for the congressional campaigns of Wilson and Pearce in the past have informed both that they will work for Wilson’s senatorial campaign but won’t work for Pearce if he enters the Senate race.
If Pearce opts against challenging Wilson and instead seeking to stay in the House, his fundraising is almost certain to keep him well ahead of his two declared Democratic challengers, Bill McCamley and Al Kissling. Neither has filed third-quarter reports, but McCamley raised $140,000 during the second quarter and ended it with $133,000 on hand. Kissling raised $10,000 and had $5,500 on hand.
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., raised $251,000 in the third quarter of 2007 – more than U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson and most likely more than either of the Democratic opponents running for his congressional seat.