Face The State Staff Report
As election day approaches, candidates are now required to report their financial status every two weeks. Contributions and spending are on the rise, which means yards signs will be popping up around the state and voters in targeted districts are going to start seeing a lot of campaign mail. Last month, unions began donating to Democrats in vulnerable districts, and this round shows no signs of union money drying up. With an August 12 primary just around the corner, more action is expected in districts with contested primary elections.
Senate District 8
Rep. Al White, R-Hayden v. Former Steamboat Springs City Council President Ken Brenner
35.69% Republican; 24.32% Democrat; 39.44% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: White $52,803.41; Brenner $23,536.05
July 7 Cash on hand: White $56,524.65; Brenner $23,156.57
July 21 Cash on hand: White $51,298.39; Brenner $23,458.80
White recently spent a chunk of money on campaign fodder such as yard signs, t-shirts and ball caps. He is focused on driving his name recognition in the district, and last weekend, he attended his sixth parade of the season. White says he has not seen much of his opponent but has heard Brenner is also out there campaigning.
Senate District 14
Sen. Bob Bacon, D-Fort Collins v. Republican challenger and activist Matt Fries
31.46% Rep; 29.68% Dem; 38.17% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Fries $4,702.34; Bacon $28,132.19
July 7 Cash on hand: Fries $3,548.65; Bacon $40,094.49
July 21 Cash on Hand: Fries $1,090.28; Bacon $53,779.49
More than half of the $13,685 Bacon "raised" in the last two weeks was from unions coffers, including the UFCW Local 7 and the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters. He also hasn't spent a dime since the last reporting period. Fries, on the other hand, has been pouring money into brochures and mail. Voters should start seeing Fries's fliers in their mailboxes, if they haven't already.
Senate District 16
Sen. Dan Gibbs, D-Silvertorne v. challenger Republican businessman Don Ytterberg
33.2% Rep; 28.8% Dem; 37.35% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Ytterberg $16,687; Gibbs $425
July 7 Cash on hand: Ytterberg $16,687; Gibbs $18,146
July 21 Cash on hand: Ytterberg $18,751.40; Gibbs $31,421.22
Looks like Gibbs tapped into his donor list. With the help of $4,000 in union money from the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters, Gibbs was able to raise over $13,000 this in the past two weeks. While neither candidate spent much this cycle, Ytterberg recently invested in research, yard signs, buttons and stickers for his campaign. For starting out late in the money chance, he's still in the game with nearly $20k in the bank.
Senate District 17
Sen. Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont v. Republican challenger Katie Witt
28.65% Rep; 33.06% Dem; 37.31% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Witt $3,443.98; Shaffer $28,158.35
July 7 Cash on hand: Witt $4,939.24; Shaffer $36,823.81
July 21 Cash on hand: Witt $5,701.19; Shaffer $39,546.65
For more information on this race click here, here or here.
Senate District 19
Republican Businesswoman & GOP activist Libby Szabo v. Democrat State Board of Education member Evie Hudak
35.26% Rep; 30.07% Dem; 34.33% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Szabo $34,223.18; Hudak $22,401.72
July 7 Cash on hand: Szabo $42,504.15; Hudak $35,003.86
July 21 Cash on hand: Szabo $51,175.42; Hudak $39,405.26
Why bother fundraising when you can rely on union dollars? At least that is Hudak's latest approach. A $2,000 union contribution accounts for almost half of her donations in the past two weeks. Though Hudak continues to trail Szabo in funding, insiders anticipate that more union money is on the way. Comparatively, Szabo has received all of her financial support from constituents and pro-business interests.
Senate District 21
Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood v. Republican activist Natalie Menten
32.06% Rep; 33.13% Dem; 34.48% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Boyd $20,883.74
July 7 Cash on hand: Menten (R) $735.80; Boyd $29,677.37
July 21 Cash on hand: Menten $1,600.63; Boyd $32,603.37
To learn more about this race click here, here or here.
Senate District 23
Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, v. DU law student and Army Vet Joe Whitcomb
35.57% Rep; 26.81% Dem; 37.26% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Mitchell $28,673.45; Whitcomb $7,026.18
July 7 Cash on hand: Mitchell $30,875.93; Whitcomb $18,319.80
July 21 Cash on hand: Mitchell $34,016; Whitcomb $20,991.74
This cycle, these two were neck and neck in both fundraising and spending. Heavy hitting mail and lots of third party involvement is expected in the coming weeks. Mitchell is a strong incumbent, but Democrats consider him vulnerable because of the large number of unaffiliated voters in the district. To learn more about this hotly contexted race, read Face The State's earlier coverage.
Senate District 26
Republican and former state Rep. Lauri Clapp OR fellow Republican Jerry Call v. Democrat Linda Newell
38.19% Rep; 29.37% Dem; 32.04% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Clapp $1,680.22; Call $1,686.47
July 7 Cash on hand: Clapp $592.93; Call $1,217.36; Newell (D) $1,185.17
July 21 Cash on hand: Clapp $5,514.90; Call $1,214.88; Newell $2,400.55
Clapp has stepped up her fundraising by tapping into constituents and local businesses. She also spent a chunk of her funds on postage and printing. Activity from the other candidates has been minimal. Newell is laying low and likely waiting for the outcome of this Republican primary. For more information on this race click here or here.
Senate District 28
Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, v. Republican Sueyuana Duthie
30.72% Rep; 34.15% Dem; 34.8% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Duthie $1,083.87; Williams $13,893.53
July 7 Cash on hand: Duthie $2,366.61; Williams $11,458.85
July 21 Cash on hand: Duthie $2,111.38; Williams $18,444.85
Williams said hello to union support this cycle with cash infusions from the Colorado Education Association and the UFCW Local 7. Duthie has maintained a steady level of cash on hand and recently made an investment in some campaign consulting.
House Districts to Watch
House District 27
Rep. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada v. Republican John Bodnar
37.21% Rep; 29.95% Dem; 32.52% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Bodnar $7,511.59; Gagliardi $26,444.07
July 7 Cash on hand: Bodnar $8,777.49; Gagliardi $32,156.83
July 21 Cash on hand: Bodnar $8,777.75; Gagliardi $34,742.41
To learn more about this race click here or here.
House District 30
Republican Kevin Priola v. Democrat Dave Rose or Mark Nicastle
27.46% Rep; 34.9% Dem; 37.33% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Priola $22,938.12; Rose $3,460.33; Nicastle $2,378.41
July 7 Cash on hand: Priola $24,175.95; Rose $1,222.67; Nicastle $1,704.84
July 21 Cash on hand: Priola $26,550.95; Rose $4,146.67; Nicastle $2,378.41
This Democrat primary is pitting Rose's teachers' union against Nicastle's Fraternal Order of Police, and both men have received support from their respective unions. In the meantime, Priola is targeting unaffiliated voters, who make up the largest voting block in this district. To learn more check out this FTS report.
House District 31
Rep. Judy Solano, D-Brighton v. Republican Holly Hansen
31.46% Rep; 30.38% Dem; 37.9% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Hansen $20,364.18 ; Solano $13,134.10
July 7 Cash on hand: Hansen $20,902.18; Solano $20,993.61
July 21 Cash on hand: Hansen $21,377.18; Solano $21,663.61
To learn more about this race click here.
House District 33
Rep. Dianne Primavera, D-Broomfield v. Republican and fiscal conservative Nick Kliebenstein
33.76% Rep; 28.37% Dem; 37.52% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Kliebenstein $7,601.87; Primavera $25,259.15
July 7 Cash on hand: Kliebenstein $10,371.94; Primavera $22,931.90
July 21 Cash on hand: Kliebenstein $11,456.94; Primavera $27,093.97
This Broomfield district is notorious for attracting lots of union money. Primavera is no exception. This cycle she received money from the teachers, fire fighters and plumbers union. Meanwhile, Kliebenstein is busy going door-to-door and building his grassroots support.
House District 37
Rep. Spencer Swalm, R-Littleton v. Democrat Diana Holland
44.09% Rep; 26.5% Dem; 29.09% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Swalm $49,467.38; Holland $13,208.84
July 7 Cash on hand: Swalm $54,090.01; Holland $15,714.29
July 21 Cash on hand; Swalm $45,626.68; $20,712.29
While Holland tapped the UFCW Local 7 for funding, Swalm recently dropped over $8,000 on campaign consulting, website design and mail. He is not taking his voter registration advantage for granted, and rumor has it Swalm is ready to run a full scale campaign.
House District 38
Rep. Joe Rice, D-Littleton v. Republican and Greenwood Village City Councilman Dave Kerber
39.53% Rep; 28.42% Dem; 31.68% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Kerber $35,120.99; Rice $15,158.66
July 7 Cash on hand: Kerber $31,184.51; Rice $17,102.75
July 21 Cash on hand: Kerber $32,034.51; Rice $20,027.95
This was a busy cycle for Rice, who raised $6,438 but spent $3,582 - more than half his total contributions for the cycle - on various campaign expenses including staffing, mail and his cell phone bill. Kerber laid low and is focused on maintaining a steady cash flow. To learn more about this race, click here.
House District 39
Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial v. Democrat Mollie Cullom
40.5% Rep; 27.02% Dem; 32.24% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Balmer $100,889.05; Cullom $12,458.36
July 7 Cash on hand: Balmer $98,815.73; Cullom $16,329.63
July 21 Cash on hand: Balmer $103,356.73; Cullom $14,441.29
Balmer has more money than any other candidate running for the state House or Senate, which means he is able to afford a lot of campaign fodder, including a giant billboard at the corner of Parker and Arapahoe Road. Cullom is playing catch up and recently spent some cash on yard signs and mail. After being trounced by Balmer in 2004 and 2006, she has also invested in some consulting. Whether or not it will make a difference is yet to be seen.
House District 50
Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley v. Republican Scott Helman
31.3% Rep; 28.36% Dem; 39.54% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Helman $407.74; Riesberg $14,081.93
July 7 Cash on hand: Helman $1,872.81; Riesberg $17,482.18
July 21 Cash on hand: Helman $2,920.08; Riesberg $21,393.85
To learn more about this race and its candidates click here or here.
House District 52
Rep. John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins v. Republican and former Rep. Bob McCluskey
32.75% Rep; 30.38% Dem; 36.17% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: McCluskey $14,609.20; Kefalas $29,849.91
July 7 Cash on hand: McCluskey $17,948.78; Kefalas $39,589.81
July 21 Cash on hand: McCluskey $19,163.11; Kefalas $43,991.81
To read more on this race click here, here or here.
House District 55
Rep. Bernie Buescher, R-Grand Junction v. Republican Businesswoman Laura Bradford
43.34% Rep; 22% Dem; 34.33% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Bradford $17,527.58; Buescher $58,314.90
July 7 Cash on hand: Bradford $10,629.17; Buescher $54,994.29
July 21 Cash on hand: Bradford $13,815.29; Buescher $64,410.45
Democrats really want Buescher to win this seat, with many believing he will be the next Speaker of the House. Like most Democrats in the state, Buescher is receiving money from labor unions, but he also benefits from strong name recognition and popularity in his district. He recently spent money on yard signs and stickers, and he has a paid staff helping get out his message. Bradford, however, is not intimidated and appears prepared to run a strong campaign stressing lower taxes and pro-business principles. Read more about this race in this FTS report.
House District 56
Rep. Christine Scanlan, D-Dillion v. Republican challenger Ali Hasan
28.73% Rep; 26.52% Dem; 44.08% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Hasan $27,172.01; Scanlan $3,316.77
July 7 Cash on hand: Hasan $10,486.66; Scanlan $5,502.51
July 21 Cash on hand: Hasan $11,795.74; Scanlan $10,583.90
Hasan's cash on hand may look low right now, but that is only because he is spending thousands on advertising in the district's local papers. Scalan's operation is more traditional. She is reaching out to constituents, local businesses and lobbyists for the bulk of her money.
To learn more about Hasan and his advertising campaign, click here.
House District 62
A primary between Democrats Ed Vigil, a county commissioner, and Dr. Rocky White, will determine who will run against Republican Randy Jackson
26.1% Rep; 47.53% Dem; 26.16% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Jackson $267.17; White $3,740.19; Vigil $100
July 7 Cash on hand: Jackson $883.49; White $4,147.62; Vigil $1,290
July 21 Cash on hand: Jackson $4,819.56; White $1,767.85; Vigil $3,486.76
Jackson is benefiting from a Democrat primary as Vigil and White spend time and money fighting each other for the Democrat nomination. To read more about this race check out this FTS report.
House District 64
Rep. Wes McKinley, D-Walsh v. Republican Ken Torres
33.3% Rep; 41.62% Dem; 24.93% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Torres N/A; McKinley N/A
July 7 Cash on hand: Torres N/A; McKinley $3,119.08
July 21 Cash on hand: Torres $500; McKinley $3,119.08
To read more on this race click here, here or here.
House Primaries to keep an eye on:
House District 6
Republicans: Joshua Sharf (petitioned on to primary ballot) v. Rima Sinclair
Democrats: Liz Adams (Top line on primary ballot) v. Lois Court v. Josh Hanfling
24.53% Rep; 41.71% Dem; 33.34% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Sinclair N/A; Sharf $2,447.83; Court $28,066.21; Hanfling $60,091.45; Adams $24,166.82
July 7 Cash on hand: Sinclair $3,236.86; Sharf $4,160.55; Court $32,606.95; Hanfling $38,952.17; Adams $25,833.34
July 21 Cash on hand: Sinclair $5,113.12; Sharf $1,956.06; Court $19,208.58; Hanfling $$42,269.47; Adams $28,635.57
House District 15
Rep. Doug Bruce, R-Colorado Springs v. fellow Republican Mark Waller (Top line on primary ballot)
47.92% Rep; 19.1% Dem; 32.73% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on Hand: Bruce N/A; Waller $2,474.71; Maksimowicz $586.85
July 7 Cash on Hand: Bruce N/A; Waller $2,448.78; Maksimowicz $2,051.60
July 21 Cash on hand: Bruce N/A; Waller $2,784.58; Maksimowicz $2,271.60
House District 57
Republican Randy Baumgardner v. Republican Daniel Korkowski (Winner will run against Democrat Robert Hagenbuch)
42.91% Rep; 22.08% Dem; 34.46% Unaffiliated
June 2 Cash on hand: Baumgardner $2,142.89; Korkowski $677; Hangenbuch N/A
July 7 Cash on hand: Baumgardner $2,142.89; Korkowski $934.12; Hagaenbuch $2,726
July 21 Cash on hand: Baumgardner $590.04; Korkowski $335.41; Hagenbuch $1,597.01
FTS Note: All voter registration figures above are as of April 2008.