McSally and Sinema lead in campaign fundraising

U.S. Rep. Martha McSally started out this year with $1.8 million in cash for her campaign for the U.S. Senate, compared with GOP rival former state Sen. Kelli Ward, who reports $350,000 in cash. On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema reported starting the year with $5.1 million in cash.

Former state Sen. Kelli Ward had a year head start on other candidates in Arizona’s 2018 U.S. Senate races, but is starting the election year badly trailing Republican rival Martha McSally.

McSally finished 2017 with $1.8 million in cash compared to Ward’s $350,000.

Even when cash from political-action committees supportive of Ward’s campaign is included, Ward badly trails McSally, who officially joined the Senate race in January.

Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, meanwhile, reported raising $1.6 million in the final three months of 2017 and ended with $5.1 million in cash on hand.

Another Republican, former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, entered the Senate race in January and didn’t report any campaign funds for 2017.

Ward’s relatively light haul came as she was the lone Republican left in the race after incumbent Sen. Jeff Flake said in October that he wouldn’t seek a second term. However, with no one formally opposing her for most of the quarter and with the support of former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, Ward couldn’t shift her fundraising into a

higher gear.

The Ward campaign downplayed their financial deficit.

“Thanks to our supporters, we’re going to have the tools we need to carry our message to every corner of Arizona,” said Zachery Henry, a spokesman for Ward. “With over 20,000 individual donors that have contributed over $1.5 million to date, our campaign has the broadest base of fundraising across Arizona in this race.

“Not surprisingly, the swamp is backing the two members of Congress in this race; however, we are confident Arizona voters will see through this and not allow Washington to choose our next senator.”

McSally’s campaign said her fundraising reflects her record in Congress.

“Her substantive legislative victories in 2017, on everything from border security to national defense, add to her proven track record as one of the most effective members of Congress,” said Anthony Barry, her campaign manager. “It’s no wonder that supporters are lining up behind her. Her energetic dedication to serving Arizona is boundless. And she’s just warming up.”

8th District race

Not much is known about the finances for the special election to fill the congressional seat formerly held by Trent Franks, but what is known suggests another uneven battle.

Former state Rep. Phil Lovas, a Republican whose wife, Corinne, is a prominent fundraiser for GOP candidates, easily reported the most money from donors: $118,000.

By contrast, former state Sen. Debbie Lesko brought in $18,000.

So far, a dark money group named Conservative Leadership for Arizona has spent at least $20,000 on mailers to help Lesko, but that has been dwarfed by Lovas’ radio presence in recent days.

On the Democratic side, Hiral Tipirneni raised $64,000 from donors in the final quarter and finished with $115,000. Brianna Westbrook raised $11,000 and finished with $7,000 in cash.

2nd District race

Former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, who is running in McSally’s Tucson-based 2nd District and has the backing of Democratic leadership in Washington, raised $400,000 in the final three months of the year. Kirkpatrick had $464,000 in cash entering January. Her closest rival, Matt Heinz, finished with $193,000.

Lea Marquez Peterson, a Republican hoping to keep the 2nd District in Republican hands, raised $207,000 in less than three weeks.

Other House races

The Phoenix-based 9th District has a new fundraising battle.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, who is the Democratic frontrunner, raised $601,000 for the quarter and had $515,000 in cash. Steve Ferrara, a Republican hoping to replace Sinema, raised $141,000 and finished the year with $449,000.

Two of the Republicans vying for the GOP nomination in Arizona’s northeastern 1st District had a relatively even fundraising race entering 2018.

State Sen. Steve Smith raised just $53,000 in the final quarter of 2017. He finished the year with $156,000. That trailed Tiffany Shedd, a business owner who formally entered the race in October and raised $125,000 from donors.

Both Republicans are well behind Rep. Tom O’Halleran, the Democrat seeking a second term. He raised $235,000.