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Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Richardson Owes $292,700 for Presidential Bid

By Barry Massey
Associated Press
       SANTA FE — Health care and film industry political committees were a main source of fundraising for Gov. Bill Richardson last month as he continued to try to retire his presidential campaign debt.
    Richardson collected $21,266 in contributions and reported a cash balance of $1,302 in his campaign account at the end of June, according to the latest financial report filed with the Federal Election Commission.
    The presidential campaign committee listed debts of $292,727. That's up slightly from the $285,419 owed at the end of May but down from nearly $391,000 at the end of January.
    Richardson dropped out of the Democratic presidential race in early January.
    Among the top contributors to the presidential campaign were the political action committee of UnitedHealth Group Inc. and several employees of the health insurer. Four company executives and lawyers gave a total of $5,000 and the company's PAC contributed $5,000.
    One of the group health care plans offered to state government employees in New Mexico is managed by the Minnesota-based company's UnitedHealthcare operation.
    Health care is a simmering political issue in New Mexico because Richardson advocates a universal health care plan. The governor has called a special session of the Legislature next month for lawmakers to consider health care and economic assistance proposals, including a tax rebate.
    Contributing $2,500 to Richardson was the PAC of the national union representing film and theater technicians. Richardson has aggressively pushed to expand the film industry in New Mexico and the state offers a variety of financial incentives for film and television productions made in the state.
    Richardson's campaign had total receipts of $39,114, which included refunds from vendors, the sale of some equipment as well as contributions. The campaign spent $39,557 last month, including $5,000 for Internet advertising and about $4,100 paid to UnitedHealthcare for insurance.
    Overall, Richardson raised $24.4 million for his presidential campaign, which started in January 2007.

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