Weh’s self-financing gives him the advantage

Susana Martinez continues to raise more money through individual contributions than the other Republican gubernatorial candidates, but the self-financing of Allen Weh means he has lots more cash on hand heading into the final three weeks of the campaign.

Cash on hand is, of course, the most important number, which means Weh enjoys a nice advantage over Martinez and the other GOP gubernatorial candidates at this point. He loaned his campaign another $250,000 during the last reporting period, bringing his total self-financing during the campaign to $1 million, according to his finance report.

Doug Turner’s report also reflects that he has more cash on hand than Martinez, so he can’t be counted out even though he hasn’t joined Weh and Martinez in flooding homes with TV ads – yet.

According to his finance report filed Monday, Weh’s overall fundraising in the last month – which includes the new loan – was $341,434. He spent $533,528.60 during that time and ended the reporting period with $352,047.30 on hand. He also had $12,099.07 in in-kind contributions.

Martinez raised $116,215, according to her report. She spent $350,789.09 and ended the reporting period with $129,339.15 on hand. Martinez also had in-kind contributions totaling $18,210.26.

Turner raised $85,629.40, according to his report. That included a $48,794.41 loan from his public relations company, DW Turner, bringing the campaign’s total debt to $420,092.68. Turner reported spending $110,923.25 during the reporting period and ending it with $229,921.33 on hand. He also had $44,931.25 in in-kind contributions.

Pete Domenici Jr. raised $118,326.00, according to his report. That included a $50,000 loan that brought his total self-financing of his campaign to $120,000. Domenici reported spending $223,166.73 and ending the reporting period with $24,857.72. He also had $578.13 in in-kind contributions.

Janice Arnold-Jones raised $45,323.60 during the reporting period, according to her report. That included loans totaling $24,714.60. She spent $41,325.94 and ended the reporting period with $22,123.74 on hand. Arnold-Jones also had $2,258.94 in in-kind contributions.

Martinez has raised $685,544 for her campaign through individual contributions – more than any other candidate – but she has no ability to self-finance. And that puts her at a disadvantage as the June 1 primary approaches.

Martinez and Weh have both flooded homes with TV ads. They’re the top two candidates in this race. But the on-hand cash numbers mean Martinez might not be able to keep up for the final three weeks – unless she has another massive contribution or two up her sleeve.

Martinez has already accepted one of the largest contributions in state history.

Absent a fundraising surge by Martinez, Weh is well positioned to win the primary. And Turner is hanging in there. We’ll know more on May 27, when the last finance reports before Election Day are due.

Here’s a summary of fundraising in other statewide primary races:

Democratic lieutenant governor’s race

Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate Brian Colón raised $42,035.39 during the reporting period, according to his report. He spent $133,872.65 and ended the reporting period with $114,049.64 on hand. He also had $121.31 in in-kind contributions.

Joe Campos raised $28,300.68, according to his report. He spent $56,783.43 and ended the reporting period with $65,722.59. He also had in-kind contributions totaling $2,863.50.

Lawrence Rael raised $27,150, according to his report. He spent $84,989.37 and ended the reporting period with $68,356.05. He also had in-kind contributions totaling $7,050.68.

Jerry Ortiz y Pino raised $16,993, according to his report. He spent $14,533.58 and ended the reporting period with $7,105.36 on hand.

Linda Lopez raised $3,626, according to her report. She spent $6,876.42 and ended the reporting period with $2,116.06 on hand.

Republican lieutenant governor’s race

Republican Lt. Gov. candidate Kent Cravens raised $76,529.21 during the reporting period, according to his report. That included loans from himself and his business totaling $51,049.21. Cravens spent $25,349.72 during the reporting period and ended it with $74,585.58 on hand. He also had $1,416.40 in in-kind contributions.

John Sanchez raised $76,200, according to his report. That included a personal loan of $75,000 that brought his total self-financing up to $348,800. Sanchez spent $178,749.46 and ended the reporting period with $153,731.83 on hand.

Brian Moore raised $13,628, according to his report. He spent $11,150.40 and ended the reporting period with $128,085.90 on hand. He also had in-kind contributions totaling $119.

Democratic land commissioner race

Democratic land commissioner candidate Ray Powell raised $11,424.01 during the reporting period, according to his report. He spent $28,385.16 and ended with $38,439.87 on hand.

Sandy Jones raised $8,928.09, according to his report. He spent $8,671.52 and ended the reporting period with $10,212.99 on hand.

Harry Montoya raised $7,229, according to his report. He spent $13,163.27 and ended the reporting period with a negative balance of $3,173.98.

Republican land commissioner race

Republican land commissioner candidate Matt Rush raised $5,900 during the reporting period, according to his report. He spent no money (Really? That’s what it says.) and ended the period with $9,658.18 on hand. He also had in-kind contributions totaling $4,600.

A report for Rush’s primary opponent, Republican Bob Cornelius, was not online.

Democratic Court of Appeals race

Democratic Appeals Judge Linda Vanzi raised $35,010 during the reporting period, according to her report. She spent $55,988.21 and ended the period with $52,468.97 on hand. She also had $495 in in-kind contributions.

Vanzi’s primary challenger, Dennis W. Montoya, raised $2,087 during the reporting period, according to his report. He spent $1,385 and ended the period with $702 on hand.