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AZ Democratic incumbents show fundraising strength

Arizona incumbents raking in campaign funds

Erin Kelly - Jul. 20, 2010 Republic Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords raised more campaign cash in the second quarter of this year than any other Arizona candidate for the U.S. House, newly released federal reports show.

Giffords, who is fighting for a third term in the highly competitive 8th Congressional District, raised nearly $600,000, according to a campaign report she filed last week with the Federal Election Commission.

That was more than three times as much as her closest Republican competitor, former state Sen. Jonathan Paton, who took in more than $167,000.

Another Republican, businessman Jesse Kelly, received nearly $122,000. A third Republican, Brian Miller, initially reported raising just $2,430 and listed debts owed by the committee of $15,000. A second, amended report filed July 19 said that Miller received more than $27,000 in contributions. It still listed his campaign committee's debt at $15,000.

Giffords ended the quarter with more than $2.2 million in cash, compared with more than $286,000 for Paton and nearly $162,000 for Kelly.

In the seven congressional districts in Arizona with an incumbent, they were far outpacing their challengers in the money race, FEC filings show. In the open race in District 3, a newcomer with a familiar surname - Quayle - was leading the pack. Political experts say the money race can foreshadow the ballot results because well-funded candidates can pay for advertising.

Arizona's primary is Aug. 24.

In the 1st Congressional District:

Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick raised more than $229,098 and ended the quarter with $896,000 in cash.

Republican Paul Gosar received the most money of any of the GOP candidates in the race, taking in nearly $88,000 and ending the quarter with more than $130,000.

Republican Sydney Hay received more than $67,000 and reported nearly $145,000 in cash remaining at the end of June. But he also listed a campaign debt of $100,000.

Among the other Republicans, Bradley Beauchamp raised more than $39,000, Steve Mehta took in more than $37,000, Rusty Bowers received nearly $33,000, and Thomas Zaleski reported about $6,400.

In the 5th Congressional District:

Democratic Rep. Harry Mitchell raised about $336,000 and ended the quarter with more than $1.1 million in cash.

The biggest Republican fundraiser was David Schweikert, who received more than $125,000 and had nearly $434,000 in cash. But he also reported $500,000 in debts owed by his campaign committee.

Republican Jim Ward raised nearly $119,000 and had nearly $284,000 in cash at the end of June. His campaign was nearly $172,000 in debt.

Among other Republicans, Susan Bitter Smith raised more than $87,000, Chris Salvino raised more than $26,000, and Mark Spinks raised about $9,500.

In the 3rd Congressional District:

In the race to replace retiring Republican Rep. John Shadegg, Republican Ben Quayle had more than $566,000 in contributions. He reported more than $684,000 in cash. Quayle is the son of former Vice President Dan Quayle.

Ben Quayle was followed by the race's sole Democrat, Jon Hulburd, who received more than $257,000 and had nearly $483,000 in cash.

Republican Steve Moak was a close third, raising $251,421 and ending the quarter with nearly $383,000 in cash. He also reported a campaign debt of more than $294,000.

Among the other Republicans, Vernon B. Parker raised nearly $140,000, Jim Waring took in nearly $76,000, Ed Winkler reported more than $34,000, Sam Crump received more than $30,000 and Pamela Gorman raised nearly $28,000.

Other House races:

The overall numbers were much smaller in Arizona's four other House races, where the incumbents are considered safe:

• Republican Rep. Trent Franks, who represents the 2nd Congressional District, raised more than $126,000. His GOP primary opponent, Charles Black, raised $225.
• In the 4th Congressional District, Democratic Rep. Ed Pastor raised more than $97,000. Republican Janet Contreras raised more than $8,000.
• In the 6th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Jeff Flake raised more than $60,000 and had more than $856,000 in cash. His GOP primary opponent, Jeff Smith, raised about $8,000 and had about $7,200 in cash.
• In the 7th Congressional District, Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva raised nearly $172,000. Republican Ruth McClung took in more than $35,000 during the same period.