Wilson Outpaces Heinrich in First Quarter Fundraising

Former Rep. Heather Wilson, a Republican running for U.S. Senate in New Mexico, reported today that she raised nearly $760,000 in the first quarter of 2012 and has about $1.45 million in campaign cash in the bank.

Rep. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat who is also seeking the Senate seat, earlier this week reported raising $490,000 in donations between January 1 and March 31. Heinrich reported having $1.55 million in the bank, leaving him and Wilson neck-and-neck in the critical fundraising competition.

State Auditor Hector Balderas, a Democrat, and Las Cruces businessman Greg Sowards, a Republican, are also running for the U.S. Senate but they haven’t released their fundraising numbers. The reporting deadline is April 15.

Wilson’s campaign reports that 85 percent of her donations came from in-state, while Heinrich reported that 73 percent of his donors were New Mexicans.

Wilson’s fundraising this quarter likely saw a big surge after Lt. Gov. John Sanchez dropped out of the Republican primary in February and endorsed Wilson.