As Election Day looms, spending is ramping up
Governor’s race could be one of most expensive in history
SANTA FE — With the finish line to a bruising election cycle in sight, New Mexico gubernatorial candidates Rep. Steve Pearce and Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham have ramped up their campaign spending on political advertisements and other efforts.
The candidates’ combined expenditures of more than $13.6 million — along with large amounts of money spent by outside groups — could make this year’s race for governor one of the most expensive in state history.
“We haven’t seen a campaign like that in years,” said University of New Mexico political science professor Lonna Atkeson, who said both candidates’ congressional backgrounds could be a factor in their hefty fundraising hauls.
Lujan Grisham, a Democrat who fended off two primary election challengers, reported Thursday spending nearly $2 million during the four-week reporting period that ended Oct. 30, bringing her total spending in the race to slight-
ly more than $9 million. She raised more than $1.5 million during the reporting period and has about $373,000 remaining in her campaign account.
“This final report is one more demonstration that New Mexicans across the state believe Michelle has the character, energy and in-depth plans to put New Mexico on the right path,” Lujan Grisham campaign finance director Liz Collins said Thursday. “From nurses and educators to ranchers and business leaders, thousands of New Mexicans are invested in helping Michelle spread her positive vision for the state ahead of this important election.”
Pearce, her Republican rival, reported spending nearly $1.6 million during the four-week reporting period and has now reported spending nearly $4.7 million in all since announcing his campaign in July 2017.
He reported raising about $431,000 during the period and has roughly $123,000 left in his campaign war chest.
Individuals and companies in the oil and gas industry were among the significant contributors to Pearce’s campaign over the past month. Exxon Mobil Corp, for example, donated the general-election maximum of $5,500.
Ranchers and others working in agriculture were also major contributors to Pearce, who was unopposed in the primary election.
“Despite being massively outspent by an array of out-of-state, out-of-touch special interests that have dumped millions into this race on our opponents’ behalf, Steve Pearce is poised for an Election Day victory,” his campaign adviser Kevin Sheridan said Thursday. “Steve Pearce is the only candidate in this race who will put an end to the corruption, make communities safer and bring jobs to New Mexico.”
Meanwhile, Lujan Grisham got contributions from people or companies working in energy, real estate and health care. Jane Fonda, the Oscar-winning actress, was among the donors who made the maximum $5,500 contribution to her campaign.
National groups also spend heavily
In addition to the candidates’ spending, two national groups — the Democratic Governors Association and the Republican Governors Association — have spent hefty sums airing TV ads in New Mexico’s governor’s race.
Several other out-of-state groups have also launched ads on Lujan Grisham’s behalf, including the Washington D.C.-based Save the Children Action Network, which has spent $400,000 on the race.
The mandatory reports filed Thursday by candidates and political committees marked the final campaign finance disclosures before Election Day, which is Tuesday. Candidates and PACs will also have to file a final report in early December that will cover any last-minute campaign spending.
The money spent in this year’s governor’s race has already surpassed total spending in the 2014 governor’s race and is closing in on 2010 spending levels. The state’s campaign contribution limits took effect after that year’s general election.
Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican who is barred from seeking a third consecutive term and will step down at year’s end, spent more than $10.9 million on her 2010 gubernatorial bid and about $8.7 million on her 2014 re-election bid.