Haaland has more than 2-to-1 fundraising edge
Race has been the least expensive of state’s congressional contests
Democratic U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland has more than a 2-to-1 fundraising edge in her bid for reelection in the 1st Congressional District.
Haaland’s campaign reported having more than $352,000 cash on hand for the general election as of June 30, according to Federal Election Commission filings. And that is after contributing about $100,000 to other Democratic campaigns.
The Republican candidate, former New Mexico Attorney General Chief of Staff Michelle
Garcia Holmes, reported having more than $145,000 in the race for the seat that represents most of the Albuquerque metro area.
The end of the quarter filing deadline was Wednesday.
Haaland raised more than $203,000 during the second quarter, of which $27,500 came from political action committees. Her campaign said the average donation was $50.
She has raised more than $1.3 million in her bid for a second term, with more than 55% coming from out-of-state donors, according to OpenSecrets.org.
“I am thankful for the continued support for our re-election campaign,” Haaland said in a statement. “Because of your support, we are able to fight for working families, take
on climate change and protect our public lands, protect accessible and affordable health care, and continue to bring home much needed funds to battle coronavirus.”
Garcia Holmes has seen an increase in donations since winning the Republican nomination. She pulled in more than $40,000 during the second quarter, with $5,000 coming from PAC contributions. She has raised more than $75,000 total, according to FEC filings.
Her out-of-state contributions are not listed with OpenSecrets.org.
“We are supported by the people of New Mexico, unlike my radical opponent, Debra Haaland, who takes large donations from out of state special interest groups who do not have the best interests of New Mexico in mind,” Garcia Holmes told the Journal. “Our campaign contributions have come from people who reside in the District, because we are a get the ‘Power back to the people campaign.’ ”
The race has been the least expensive of the state’s congressional races. And it has not attracted much attention from outside groups.
Less than $100,000 has been spent by outside organizations so far, with almost $91,000 being spent by the conservative Hard Working American Committee in support of former candidate Jared Vander Dussen, who was defeated by Garcia Holmes in the Republican primary. Liberal groups have spent $850 in support of Haaland. By comparison, more than $3 million has been spent by outside groups in the 2nd Congressional District and $1 million in the 3rd Congressional District races.