Heinrich raises $137,000 in third quarter

Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich announced today that he raised $137,000 in the third quarter of 2007 for his congressional run.

Heinrich raised $318,127 between April and September. He had $217,000 on hand at the end of September, according to the news release from his campaign.

“The willingness of so many individuals to invest in this campaign is a sign of just how many people are anxious for change,” Heinrich said in the release. “The groundswell of support I have received over the past six months is further evidence of just how tired people are of the failed policies of this Republican administration, and they know that I am the candidate who will go to Washington and focus on the right priorities.”

Heinrich is facing some serious competition as he battles to become Central New Mexico’s next congressman. On the Democratic side, attorney Jon Adams has already entered the race, and former state Health Secretary Michelle Lujan Grisham announced today that she’s running. On the Republican side, Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White is running. Other Democrats and Republicans are also considering entering the race.

The free-for-all is the result of U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., opting to vacate the seat next year to run for the Senate seat held by the retiring Pete Domenici.

Heinrich’s report isn’t yet online, but the difference between the amount he’s raised and what he has on hand indicates he has spent more than $100,000 in his first six months in the race. I’m guessing that, when Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley files his report in the coming days, we’ll find that he raised less than Heinrich during the third quarter but is close to keeping pace with him as far as on-hand cash because he’s spending far less. He spent just over $6,000 in during the second quarter.

In an interview, Heinrich said he’s raised another $12,000 in October. He also confirmed that he is looking for a new campaign manager after having a “parting of ways” with Philip Muller, who he originally employed to run his campaign.

“We’ve got it pretty much under control right now,” Heinrich said. “I’m pretty pleased with how things are coming along this week. We’re starting to interview this week and we should have someone soon.”

Heinrich said Wilson’s decision to run for Domenici’s seat has turned this into an exciting race.

This is going to turn into the race I wanted, which was a top-tier national race,” he said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”