July 02, 2014 03:41 PM UTC

Democrats Continue to Outraise Republicans in State Senate Races

• 3 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

With the Primary Election behind us, focus can now turn fully to the key General Election matchups that will determine control of the State Legislature. According to a press release from the Democratic Senate Campaign Fund (DSCF), Democratic candidates in key State Senate races are significantly outperforming Republican counterparts in fundraising.

You can read the full press release after the jump, but take a look at the comparisons of some top races below:

SD 5
Kerry Donovan (D)
DEM COH: $45,840.31
Dem Total Raised: $59,473.00
Don Suppes (R)
R COH: $20,760.92
R Total Raised: $32620.63
Edward Mulcahy (Libertarian)
Lib COH: $1,430.95
Lib Total Raised: $1,475.00

SD 16
Jeanne Nicholson (D)
DEM COH: $62,653.88
Dem Total Raised: $103,445.10
Tim Neville (R)
R COH: $64,106.04
R Total Raised: $74,457.70

SD 19
Rachel Zenzinger (D)
DEM COH: $56,615.35
Dem Total Raised: $69,573.65
Laura Woods (R)
R COH: $2,596.67
R Total Raised: $45,644.00
Gregg Miller (Libertarian)
Lib COH: $0
Lib Total Raised: $0

SD 22
Andy Kerr (D)
DEM COH: $56,342.53
Dem Total Raised: $91,895.31
Tony Sanchez (R)
R COH: $15,122.16
R Total Raised: $39,651.52

These fundraising totals are certainly not all-encompassing in terms of the amount of money that will ultimately be spent by third party groups, but they nevertheless give a good indication of how successful candidates have been at appealing to supporters.

COLORADO STATE SENATE DEMOCRATS VASTLY OUTRAISE REPUBLICANS IN 2014 ELECTIONS

DSCF leader says fundraising success reflects the power of grassroots donors and shows the Republican-supported Tea Party is “too extreme” for Colorado.

With the end of the primary elections, the November general election becomes the #1 focus in Colorado politics. Buoyed by successful fundraising, and the nomination of Tea Party favorites over more GOP establishment candidates, the state’s Democratic leaders say they’re ready for the fight and will expand their majority in the State Senate.

“Dudley Brown clearly defeated GOP Chairman Ryan Call this election cycle. Brown’s candidates are running in swing districts all across Colorado. And they are focused on the least of what hardworking Coloradans care about,” said Senator Rollie Heath, Chair of the DSCF. He adds, “By knocking doors, making phone calls, and harnessing the power of grassroots donors, Democrats have a clear advantage this November and we will expand our majority in the State Senate.”

With Colorado having the fourth-fastest job growth in the nation and Democratic fundraising for State Senate races so successful, the party believes the election will expand the State Senate Democratic majority from one to as many as five seats in November, returning four Democratic State Senators to office and introducing as many as four new Democratic senators.

Below are the 2014 election cycle fundraising totals that support the Colorado Democratic Party’s election campaign goals in the State Senate:

SD 3
Leroy Garcia (D)
DEM COH: $61,644.24
Dem Total Raised: $74,578.39
George Rivera (R)
R COH: $5,199.62
R Total Raised: $19,376.42

SD 5
Kerry Donovan (D)
DEM COH: $45,840.31
Dem Total Raised: $59,473.00
Don Suppes (R)
R COH: $20,760.92
R Total Raised: $32620.63
Edward Mulcahy (Libertarian)
Lib COH: $1,430.95
Lib Total Raised: $1,475.00

SD 11
Michael Merrifield (D)
DEM COH: $45,969.43
Dem Total Raised: $68,346.67
Bernie Herpin (R)
R COH: $32,867.30
R Total Raised: $35,402.62
Norman “Paotie” Dawson (Libertarian)
Lib COH: $5.00
Lib Total Raised: $80.00

SD 16
Jeanne Nicholson (D)
DEM COH: $62,653.88
Dem Total Raised: $103,445.10
Tim Neville (R)
R COH: $64,106.04
R Total Raised: $74,457.70

SD 19
Rachel Zenzinger (D)
DEM COH: $56,615.35
Dem Total Raised: $69,573.65
Laura Woods (R)
R COH: $2,596.67
R Total Raised: $45,644.00
Gregg Miller (Libertarian)
Lib COH: $0
Lib Total Raised: $0

SD 20
Cheri Jahn (D)
DEM COH: $68,776.89
Dem Total Raised: $91,488.26
Larry Queen (R)
R COH: $1925.2
R Total Raised: $8,075.00
Chris Heismann (Libertarian)
Lib COH: $272.35
Lib Total Raised: $481.80

SD 22
Andy Kerr (D)
DEM COH: $56,342.53
Dem Total Raised: $91,895.31
Tony Sanchez (R)
R COH: $15,122.16
R Total Raised: $39,651.52

SD 24
Judy Solano (D)
DEM COH: $36,317.04
Dem Total Raised: $48,053.00
Beth Humenik Martinez (R)
R COH: $1,425.57
R Total Raised: $4,414.11

“If you work hard, and do what’s right, you should be able to support your family and put a little money away for retirement. Middle class families support the Senate Democratic candidates because they believe in our track record of advancing education, jobs, a strong economy, and protecting the ability of women to make personal decisions about their health,” says Heath. Senate Democrats were able to pass critical legislation during the 2014 session to help middle class families and provide good paying jobs for hard working Coloradans. Among them, Senate Bill 1, the College Affordability Act, which puts a 6% cap on college tuition increases and HB-1328, the Connect Colorado Broadband Act, which expands access to broadband internet across rural Colorado.