Top State Races See Money Roll In

July 15, 2008
By Face The State

Face The State Staff Report

The latest campaign finance reports are in. Among the highlights: Significant union contributions are beginning to flow into highly contested districts. Some candidates are beginning to print fliers and send out mail, while Republicans like Randy Jackson of Alamosa and Sueyuna Duthie of Aurora have focused efforts on getting their websites up and running. Newcomers like Republican Libby Szabo and Democrat Joe Whitcomb have been busy knocking on doors. It is clear that election season has arrived, and the money trail helps tell the story.

Senate District 8

Rep. Al White, R-Hayden v. Former Steamboat Springs City Council President Ken Brenner

Registration:
35.69% Republican; 24.32% Democrat; 39.44% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: White (R) $51,349.20; Brenner (D) $19,741.92
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

High gas prices are going to make it costly for these candidates to campaign door-to-door in this geographically massive district. This fact will likely hurt Brenner, who is less well known than the moderate and popular White, who currently holds a House seat in the same region.

Senate District 14

Sen. Bob Bacon, D-Fort Collins v. Republican challenger and activist Matt Fries

Registration:
31.46% Rep; 29.68% Dem; 38.17% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Fries (R) $3,424.34; Bacon (D) $22,665.01
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

June provided Bacon with a union-backed cash infusion. With an almost $12,000 increase in COH since the last reporting period, 71 percent of the bump can be credited to union contributions totaling $8,500 last month.

Senate District 16

Sen. Dan Gibbs, D-Silvertorne v. challenger Republican businessman Don Ytterberg

Registration:
33.2% Rep; 28.8% Dem; 37.35% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Ytterberg (R) N/A; Gibbs (D) $20,067.15
June 2 Cash on hand: Ytterberg $16,687; Gibbs $425
July 7 Cash on hand: Ytterberg $16,687; Gibbs $18,146

It looks like Gibbs is receiving the same kind of support as Bacon. Literally. The same unions that contributed to Bacon's campaign gave identical amounts to Gibbs, who was appointed to replace Joan Fitz-Gerald when she decided to make a run for the 2nd Congressional District. Despite the union intervention, Ytterberg's campaign manager, Beth Isern, is a rock star who has been able to keep him financially competitive.

Senate District 17

Sen. Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont v. Republican challenger Katie Witt

Registration:
28.65% Rep; 33.06% Dem; 37.31% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Witt (R) $5,987.37; Shaffer (D) $26,630.80
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

The fundraising gap between these polar opposite candidates was made even more dramatic when the UFCW Local 7 and the CEA threw cash Shaffer's way. His liberal voting record is more than enough fodder to keep the union money coming. Personable Witt could benefit from highlighting her pro-small business agenda in order to contrast Shaffer's union ties.

Senate District 19

Republican Businesswoman & GOP activist Libby Szabo v. Democrat State Board of Education member Evie Hudak

Registration:
35.26% Rep; 30.07% Dem; 34.33% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Szabo (R) $27,720.04; Hudak (D) $18,208.05
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

Szabo has been focusing the bulk of her efforts on fundraising, but all it took were a few union contributions for Hudak to catch up. Szabo has massive grassroots support but unions are highly invested in this race to replace term-limited Sen. Sue Windels.

Senate District 21

Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood v. Republican activist Natalie Menten

Registration:
32.06% Rep; 33.13% Dem; 34.48% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Boyd (D) $20,883.74
June 2 Cash on hand: Boyd $20,883.74
July 7 Cash on hand: Menten (R) $735.80; Boyd $29,677.37

Menten is the third Republican candidate to step up in this district and it is going to take a lot of work for her to compete against Boyd's massive funds. To Menten's advantage: She is well known for leading the recent successful charge to abolish the Lakewood food tax. This is the perfect time for a candidate like Menten. She will cut taxes and fight government regulations. Boyd, on the other hand, sponsored a bill last session that would have banned smoking in cigar bars.

Senate District 23

Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, v. DU law student and Army Vet Joe Whitcomb

Registration:
35.57% Rep; 26.81% Dem; 37.26% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Mitchell (R) $26,766.09; Whitcomb (D) $6,184.35
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

Whitcomb's campaign has received a major messaging makeover and the difference shows. He has stopped talking about gay marriage and compulsory unionization in favor of more moderate issues like the economy. He'll still face an uphill battle against the popular bi-lingual Mitchell, known for his pro-small business positions and socially conservative views.

Senate District 26

Republican and former state Rep. Lauri Clapp OR fellow Republican Jerry Call v. Democrat Linda Newell

Registration:
38.19% Rep; 29.37% Dem; 32.04% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Clapp (R) $107.24; Call (R) $755.10
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

Linda Newell just joined this race, which is likely why she is off to a slow start. As for Republicans, there has been a lot of door knocking and community appearances. If recent history is any indicator, it is harder for candidates to raise funds when they are in a primary. Most groups and individuals like to wait and see who ends up with the nomination first.

Senate District 28

Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, v. Republican Sueyuana Duthie

Registration:
30.72% Rep; 34.15% Dem; 34.8% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Duthie (R) $677.47; Williams (D) $13,613.53
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

Both women recently spent money on campaign fliers, so Aurora residents should keep an eye out for those. Duthie has also been actively participating in candidate meet and greets, where critics have accused Williams of being overly confident in her incumbency.

House Districts to Watch

House District 27

Rep. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada v. Republican John Bodnar

Registration:
37.21% Rep; 29.95% Dem; 32.52% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Bodnar (R) $4,583; Gagliardi (D) $29,145.19
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

House District 30

Republican Kevin Priola v. Democrat Dave Rose or Mark Nicastle

Registration:
27.46% Rep; 34.9% Dem; 37.33% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Priola (R) $20,658.12; Rose $3,184.16; Nicastle (D) $1,482.18
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

House District 31

Rep. Judy Solano, D-Brighton v. Republican Holly Hansen

Registration:
31.46% Rep; 30.38% Dem; 37.9% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Hansen (R) $17,371.81; Solano (D) $14,858.76
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

House District 33

Rep. Dianne Primavera, D-Broomfield v. Republican and fiscal conservative Nick Kliebenstein

Registration:
33.76% Rep; 28.37% Dem; 37.52% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Kliebenstein (R) $6,569.21; Primavera (D) $26,499.62
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

House District 37

Rep. Spencer Swalm, R-Littleton v. Democrat Diana Holland

Registration:
44.09% Rep; 26.5% Dem; 29.09% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Swalm (R) $49,786.96; Holland $9,699.84
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

House District 38

Rep. Joe Rice, D-Littleton v. Republican and Greenwood Village City Councilman Dave Kerber

Registration:
39.53% Rep; 28.42% Dem; 31.68% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Kerber (R) $27,703.10; Rice (D) $14,345.73
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

House District 39

Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial v. Democrat Mollie Cullom

Registration:
40.5% Rep; 27.02% Dem; 32.24% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Balmer (R) $97,915.93; Cullom (D) $3,659.62
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

While this district leans GOP, Balmer is still taking nothing for granted. He's got a gigantic billboard at the Southeast corner of Parker and Arapahoe Roads that lists his many achievements in the House. Voters in this district should be ready to see a lot of David Balmer yard signs and mail in the coming months.

House District 50

Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley v. Republican Scott Helman

Registration:
31.3% Rep; 28.36% Dem; 39.54% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Helman (R) $717.56; Riesberg (D) $14,468.80
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

House District 52

Rep. John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins v. Republican and former Rep. Bob McCluskey

Registration:
32.75% Rep; 30.38% Dem; 36.17% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: McCluskey (R) $14,740.91; Kefalas (D) $26,881.34
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

The CEA's political arm appears to be investing heavily in Fort Collins races, as evidenced by its contributions to Bacon (who represents the area in the Senate) and Kefalas, who represents it in the House. McCluskey held this seat until 2006 so he has strong name recognition and a solid reputation to fall back on. Insiders suspect that both attributes will play well this cycle and McCluskey has a real shot of reclaiming his former seat.

House District 55

Rep. Bernie Buescher, R-Grand Junction v. Republican Businesswoman Laura Bradford

Registration:
43.34% Rep; 22% Dem; 34.33% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Bradford (R) $11,352.16; Buescher $57,550.07
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

House District 56

Rep. Christine Scanlan, D-Dillion v. Republican challenger Ali Hasan

Registration:
28.73% Rep; 26.52% Dem; 44.08% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Hasan (R) $17,379.01; Scanlan (D) $2,266.77
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

Keep an eye out for ads touting the greatness of Ali Hasan. The man has spent thousands to establish his presence in the local media, with ads featuring bold letters that read: "Hasan = I-70 Monorail." Other expenses include polling, printing and postage - more "standard" campaign expenses. Hasan wants this seat badly, and he is sparing no expense.

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

Registration:
26.1% Rep; 47.53% Dem; 26.16% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Jackson (R) $400; White (D) $2,933.75
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

This district has a large Hispanic population and liberal reputation. White and Vigil are preparing for a primary, with White flaunting his liberal views on health care, and Vigil taking a moderate (almost conservative) approach by attacking unfunded mandates. If Jackson can draw out conservative voters while the Democrats fight each other, he will have a real shot at winning this seat.

House District 64

Rep. Wes McKinley, D-Walsh v. Republican Ken Torres

Registration:
33.3% Rep; 41.62% Dem; 24.93% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Torres (R) N/A; McKinley (D) $2,041.87
June 2 Cash on hand: Torres N/A; McKinley N/A
July 7 Cash on hand: Torres N/A; McKinley $3,119.08

 

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

Registration:
24.53% Rep; 41.71% Dem; 33.34% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Sinclair (R) $1,318.94; Sharf (R) $313.50; Court (D) $27,952.10; Hanfling (D) $61,694.60; Adams (D) $22,829.48
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

House District 15

Rep. Doug Bruce, R-Colorado Springs v. fellow Republican Mark Waller (Top line on primary ballot)

Registration:
47.92% Rep; 19.1% Dem; 32.73% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on Hand: Bruce (R) N/A; Waller (R) $5,938.43; Maksimowicz (D) $802.76
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

House District 57

Republican Randy Baumgardner v. Republican Daniel Korkowski (Winner will run against Democrat Robert Hagenbuch)

Registration:
42.91% Rep; 22.08% Dem; 34.46% Unaffiliated
May 1 Cash on hand: Baumgardner (R) $2,351.39; Korkowski (R) $27.20; Hagenbuch (D) N/A
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

FTS Note: All voter registration figures above are as of April 2008.