Campaign finance reports show two congressional races competing for dollars

One of New Mexico’s senators and all three of the state’s representatives in Congress are up for reelection this fall, but when it comes to fundraising only two races have much competition.

Competing for a Senate seat

Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich raised $1.5 million in the last quarter and has $4.3 million cash on hand.

Republican challenger Nella Domenici’s campaign previously said it had raised $1.25 million. The Democratic Party of New Mexico jumped on that statement when Federal Election Commission reports were released Tuesday, showing that the principal campaign committee raised $1.1 million — $500,000 of which was a loan from Domenici. The party’s spokesperson Daniel Garcia said in a statement that the discrepancy “demonstrates that Nella cannot be taken at her word.”

Domenici’s campaign manager Noah Jennings called the response ridiculous and said that dollars supporting Domenici have surpassed $1.25 million when money raised by joint committees is included.

Domenici’s primary campaign committee reported $1.12 million with $928,764 cash on hand.

The Nella Victory Fund, a committee authorized to receive and expend funding on behalf of her candidacy, raised $390,000, some of which has been transferred to be part of that $1.12 million. The fund is also raising money for the state’s Republican campaign committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Domenici has also authorized the Cornyn Victory Committee, based in Texas, and the Reclaim the Majority Committee, based in Alabama, to receive and expend funding on behalf of her candidacy.

Jennings said that “a movement is building behind Nella. In a full quarter, Nella would have beat the brakes off Martin Heinrich.” Domenici declared her candidacy in January.

Jennings said Domenici’s overarching message is that she will “make right a lot of the things that are wrong with Washington.”

Heinrich’s campaign will focus on the costs of living, health care, prescription drugs and of doing business in New Mexico as well as Heinrich’s “record of delivering” for the state, according to senior campaign adviser Brad Elkins.

According to FEC reports, Heinrich’s campaign raised almost $3.3 million last year in individual contributions, making it No. 24 in the top 50 Senate campaigns to do so. Heinrich’s campaign also raised $975,000 last year in contributions from political action committees and other committees, making him No. 10 among Senate candidates in the nation for contributions raised from PACs and committees last year.

A competitive 2nd District

Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez and Republican Yvette Herrell will rematch for the state’s 2nd District.

Vasquez raised $831,768 in the last quarter and had $1.8 million cash on hand. Herrell raised $562,620 in the last quarter and had $1 million cash on hand.

The Vasquez campaign is staffing up, Campaign Manager Dylan McArthur said. According to McArthur, voters seem concerned about reproductive access and the economy, and the campaign will also highlight immigration legislation for which Vasquez has been pushing.

The Herrell campaign will also focus on the cost of living, according to campaign spokesperson Paul Smith.

“Our campaign is laser-focused on the issues that voters in the 2nd District care most about: securing the border, lowering the cost of living and protecting our New Mexico energy industry,” Smith said.

In the 1st District, incumbent Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat, raised $153,463 in the last quarter and had $193,181 cash on hand. Republican challenger Louie Sanchez has loaned his campaign $28,070 and raised $275 in the last quarter. Republican challenger Steve Jones has loaned his campaign $46,116 with $0 raised in the last quarter, according to FEC filings.

Third District Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, another Democrat, raised $225,740 in the last quarter, with $803,910 cash on hand. Republican challenger Sharon Clahchischilliage raised $7,262 in the last quarter, with $5,744 cash on hand.

Cathy Cook is a news reporter for the Albuquerque Journal. Reach her via email at ccook@abqjournal.com