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Democrats in Nevada's competitive Senate, House races outraised Republicans last quarter

Megan Messerly
Megan Messerly
Riley Snyder
Riley Snyder
Michelle Rindels
Michelle Rindels
Election 2018
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Nevada Democrats in competitive federal races greatly outraised their Republican counterparts over the last three months, according to quarterly campaign finance reports submitted Monday.

In the state’s three most competitive races for U.S. Senate, Congressional District 3 and Congressional District 4, the Democratic candidates reported outraising their opponents by significant margins. The reporting period runs from July 1 through September 30, and the Federal Election Commission required them by Oct. 15.

In the state’s nationally watched U.S. Senate race, GOP Sen. Dean Heller reported raising less than a third of the haul reported by Democratic challenger and Rep. Jacky Rosen, who brought in more than $7.1 million. And House Democratic candidates Susie Lee and Steven Horsford about tripled the totals raised by their respective Republican opponents.

Still, spending from outside groups and PACs will likely even the balance over the final weeks before the midterm election, and all three races are expected to be close.

Here’s a closer look at the fundraising totals reported by each major candidate.

 

Senate

Rosen raised $7.1 million over the three-month fundraising period, more than doubling the $3.5 million she raised in the last fundraising quarter. At the same time, Republican U.S. Sen. Dean Heller only raised $2.2 million. Rosen’s haul includes $6.3 million in direct contributions and about $770,000 in transfers from other committees while Heller’s includes $2.1 million in total contributions and roughly $67,000 in transfers.

Heller’s haul included about 175 contributions of the maximum allowed $2,700, while Rosen received nearly 500 max contributions. Rosen ended the quarter with more $2.6 million in available campaign funds, while Heller ended it with $2.7 million.

Some of Heller’s top donors included the International Warehouse Logistics Association, Raytheon and Aetna. Rosen’s included UNITE Here! (the parent union of the local Culinary Union), Blue Shield of California, and EMILY’s List.

A pricey fundraiser with President Donald Trump last month also didn’t strongly tip the scales for Heller. “Win Nevada,” a joint fundraising committee composed of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee and Heller and congressional hopeful Danny Tarkanian’s campaigns raised about $207,000 from the fundraiser with the president.

Tarkanian’s campaign received just over $20,000 from the organization, while Heller’s campaign took in around $16,000. The committee transferred the bulk of the funds to the NRSC ($68,000) and NRCC ($37,000)

NV03

Democrat Susie Lee more than doubled the contributions of Republican opponent Tarkanian, raising a massive $1.78 million over the fundraising quarter to his smaller $660,000 haul. Lee spent $2.14 million over the same time period and ended the quarter with $787,000 in the bank, while Tarkanian spent about $840,000 with $480,000 on hand.

Lee received about $1.13 million from individuals, $250,000 from PACs and $400,000 in transfers from other committees. Almost all of Tarkanian’s contributions this quarter came from individuals, with only $8,700 coming from PACs.

More than 100 people gave the maximum $2,700 contribution to Tarkanian, including billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam, Treasure Island owner Phil Ruffin, Congressman Greg Gianforte and his wife Susan, and four members of the Herbst family. Nearly 200 individuals gave the maximum to Lee, including billionaire hedge fund manager Tom Steyer, the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma and Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard. She also received $5,000 from MGM Resorts, NV Energy, Barrick Gold, and several union PACs.

Last quarter, Lee raised about $850,000 while Tarkanian brought in roughly $307,000.

NV04

Former Rep. Steven Horsford reported raising $929,000 in the last quarter and spending $747,000. He started the month of October with $380,000 cash on hand heading into the final stretch of the campaign.

It was more than three times what his Republican opponent, former Rep. Cresent Hardy, raised during the last quarter. Hardy brought in $290,000, spent $482,000 and ended the period with $108,000.

More than 100 groups and individuals gave the maximum $2,700 donation to Horsford. Among those donors were Native American tribes from California, Oklahoma and Louisiana; Las Vegas attorneys Robert Eglet and Christian Gabroy; Steve Sisolak’s campaign consultant Jim Ferrence; Daniel and Robin Greenspun; Larry Lehrner, husband of ex-Rep. Shelley Berkley; Bruce Sagan, chairman of the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper; William Schoenfeld, head of a Hong Kong-based real estate investment company; California billionaire Tom Steyer; and Democratic Assemblyman Justin Watkins.

Horsford’s campaign also drew money from a long list of PACs, including ones for MGM Resorts, the League of Conservation Voters, abortion rights group NARAL, tobacco company Altria, Barrick Gold, the Humane Society and a variety of unions.

Hardy’s major donors included Rep. Greg Gianforte, Dotty’s tavern founder Craig Estey, the Dollar Loan Center and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise’s campaign. A variety of PACs supported Hardy, including those for the National Rifle Association, Koch Industries and Allegiant Airlines.

Last quarter, Horsford raised $433,000 to Hardy’s $229,000.

NV02

Republican Rep. Mark Amodei reported raising more than $199,000 over the fundraising period while spending more than $238,000 over the same time frame. Amodei ended the reporting period with nearly $356,000 in available cash on hand, a decrease of more than $40,000 since the start of the reporting period.

More than $111,000 of Amodei’s contributions came from individuals, while $86,000 came from political action committees.

His general election opponent, Democrat Clint Koble, reported raising just over $45,000 over the fundraising period while spending more than $53,000, leaving him slightly more than $2,000 in available campaign funds.

NV01

Democratic Rep. Dina Titus reported $116,000 over the reporting period, while spending close to $220,000. She ended the quarter with more than $246,000 in cash on hand.

Her Republican opponent, Joyce Bentley, hasn’t reported raising any funds.

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