( – promoted by Colorado Pols)
State Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, put out a press release this morning saying he raised more than $200,000 since joining the 4th Congressional District race in May.
In coming out with his numbers eight days before the July 15 FEC filing deadline, Gardner appears to be laying down a marker for his GOP rivals seeking the right to challenge freshman Democrat Betsy Markey.
His fundraising from early May until the end of June dwarfs what the other two active Republican campaigns reported earlier this year, though he still lags Markey. Check out an early version of my Coloradoan story here: http://tr.im/rdn7
Gardner’s haul appears to be the highest ever for an initial report by a non-incumbent in CO4. Markey raised $116,000 in her first full quarter in 2007.
Markey flexed the powers of incumbency this year by raising $342,000 in the first quarter. She hasn’t yet reported her second quarter totals.
The other formally announced GOP challenger, Tom Lucero, reported raising less than $14,000 in his first quarter report earlier this year and his campaign hasn’t yet said how he did in the second quarter.
The Draft Diggs committee, which is promoting the candidacy of former Fort Collins City Council member Diggs Brown, raised $29,000 in the first quarter and hasn’t yet reported Q2. Brown is a Colorado Army National Guard major who can’t engage in political activty until completing a one-year active duty commitment later this year.
Gardner’s release didn’t specify how much he spent to raise the $200K, though I have an inquiry in to his campaign. The cash on hand number will be important, too.
UPDATE #1: Gardner campaign spokesman Mike Ciletti says they had $187,000 cash on hand at the end of June. He will get me some detailed numbers on individual vs. PAC donations this morning.
UPDATE #2: Ciletti says $203K in contributions came from 492 individuals and $1,750 came from 3 PACS. Among individual contributors, 453 are from Colorado and about 100 from CO4.
UPDATE #3: The Draft Diggs folks put out a press release saying the “campaign will report raising $52,885 from local grassroots voters and community leaders including more than 50 current and former presidents, CEOs, principals and partners in businesses in the 4th Congressional District.” After some questioning, I got them to clarify that this is a cumulative figure for they year, meaning Draft Diggs raised about $23K in the second quarter. Nothing to report yet from Lucero or Markey campaigns. More: http://tr.im/rj3I
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Good way to scare off potential competition when you show you can raise that kind of cash.
Markey’s fumbles, restarts and misdirection have her base confused.
Not even the Union Bosses will be able to marshall in-district resources as they focus on a the bitter decision of having to shore up a Guv who maintains the Right-to-Work right for all public employees.
I take that back – thrilled to disappoint you. Markey will win and win strong. She has handled her time in office perfectly.
Umm since you are not in her “base,” I assume you have gleaned your information from careful observation of Democrats.
On the contrary, every Democrat I talk to is pleased with her performance, and I hear no grousing about her.
I actually think it will be easy for her to raise money and recruit volunteers based on her stand out performance.
Besides, have you met Cory? (I have to give him credit those are good numbers)
since he managed to pull the Governor into a comment about CD4. His comment regarding the unions sounds more like wishful thinking on his part than any reality most of us know from experience of politics.
I often wonder, though, if Libertad reads his own comments before he posts because that comment makes no sense. Markey has a very happy Dem base, from what I’m hearing. They are downright delighted with her votes and her performance so far.
Really, Libertard? Want to actually bring some proof of that to the table, just for a change? Some specific examples? Or would you rather just continue to mindlessly talk out of your ass, as is par for the course for the vast majority of your comments here?
I’ve gotten so used to Libertard that I thought you spelled it wrong when you left off the second “r.”
Card Check. A person’s right to choice in joining a union or not should remain private and not be changed.
Markey = forced unionism/removal of secret ballot
Natural Resources Conservation and Outdoor Recreation. Farmers and ranchers, sportsmen have always been our nation’s foremost conservationists. Gardner will support Colorado’s rural communities and agricultural heritage as communities and the economic building blocks – they are the key to a thriving future as well. A vibrant, thriving rural Colorado means a healthy economy statewide.
Markey = subsidies and regulations for rural Colorado
Education. Achieving results, not talk, regulations and a lack of choice are key. Assuring Union dominated school district 50% drop out rate doesn’t expand to the rest of CD4 is key. Accountability, parental involvement and choice – with solid, measurable results – is the best way to ensure we live up to the promise of education.
Markey = looks the other way when union led districts deliver 50% dropout rates
Taking the bold step to correct policies and entitlements that promote divisions rather than unity.
Markey = greater entitlement programs proven to fail in urban settings
You’re right there is a strong contrast, but I think the strongest is personality.
Cory is a great guy, the kind of person people want to be around. Very outgoing and funny. What is Markey like?
Who’s “we?”
Do you have a parrot sitting on your shoulder?