Pearce raises more than $50K at event with Cheney

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce raised more than $50,000 at a Tuesday fundraiser hosted by Vice President Dick Cheney in Washington.

By contrast, U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, one of Pearce’s primary opponents in the U.S. Senate race, raised about $110,000 at a fundraiser with Cheney in November.

Though the Pearce campaign wouldn’t officially release the fundraising total, a source close to the campaign did on condition of anonymity because the campaign doesn’t discuss fundraising totals from individual events. The source said the total raised “is a lot more than we expected, so we were very pleased with the outcome.”

The campaign put out a news release that included comments Cheney made about Pearce at the event:

“Steve is, of course, one of the most trusted names in New Mexico politics,” the news release quoted Cheney as saying. “Out in New Mexico and here in Washington, Steve has earned tremendous respect from his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. He works hard and shows tremendous devotion to the folks back home and never forgets where he came from. He votes for western common sense, for fiscal conservatism and a strong, secure America.”

“Steve Pearce is the kind of person that belongs in public office,” the release quoted Cheney as saying. “In a challenging time for the country, we need more people like him on Capitol Hill more than ever before. This year’s election will hinge on the question of who is fundamentally serious about the challenges facing the country. Steve Pearce is serious and his record speaks for itself.”

Cheney has not officially endorsed either candidate.