SCOOP: Final Arizona Pre-Primary National Republican Campaign Finance Numbers
All eyes turn toward primary results, general election
By Christy Kelly, July 29, 2024 5:48 pm
U.S. Senate:
Kari Lake currently holds a significant fundraising advantage over her primary challenger, Mark Lamb. However, Lake’s campaign has been spending heavily, effectively fighting both a primary and general election campaign simultaneously. On the Democratic side, Ruben Gallego, who is vying to transition from the U.S. House to the Senate, has amassed an impressive $32,349,689 in campaign funds. Gallego has been seen in photos with Alex Soros, who has taken over his father’s influential philanthropic and political operations.
This Senate race is shaping up to be extraordinarily costly, with substantial financial contributions expected from outside Arizona. If Lake is successful, she will go into the general election with $2,062,687 in her coffers against Democrat challenger Rube Gallego’s $8,192,840.
Kari Lake $10,352,741
Mark Lamb $ 2,059,130
House Races:
District 1:
The Republican primary in Arizona’s District 1 is a three-way race between incumbent David Schweikert and newcomers Backie and George. Backie challenged George’s petition sheets on a “novel legal theory,” but ultimately, he was not successful at the Arizona Supreme Court. George, a former FBI agent, was recently spotted on Fox News and has experienced a significant increase in fundraising in the last few months. The Cook Political Report lists Schweikert’s seat, rated R+2, as a “Toss-Up.” If Schweikert retains his seat, he will enter the general election with $1,548,760 in his campaign funds. The Democrats also have a rare competitive primary for this seat, signaling their belief that it is up for grabs.
The Arizona Globe spoke to George, and she said, “Our grassroots campaign has always been about doing the will of ‘the people’. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and know the momentum will only grow in the general election. People tell me every day they’re ready for a change, and I’m the change Congressional District 1 needs to keep this seat red. I knew this would be an uphill battle, but I’m proud of the campaign we’ve run, and we’re excited for tomorrow. I’m ready to go to Washington and get to work with my colleagues in the House and with President Trump. We’ve got a country to save!”
David Schweikert $2,705,351
Robert Backie $118,737
Kim George $113,520
District 3:
With Ruben Gallego leaving Arizona’s District 3 to run for the U.S. Senate, the race to fill his seat is highly competitive. In the Democratic primary, Phoenix City Councilmember Yassamin Ansari, who has raised $1,886,724, and former state senator Raquel Terán, with $1,166,034, are the leading candidates.
On the Republican side, David Mendoza, an engineer who has switched party affiliations at least twice, and Jeffrey Zink, a minister and small business owner, are running. Given the district’s twenty-year history of voting blue, it will be challenging for a Republican to win this seat.
Jeff Zink told the Arizona Globe, “Hispanic Democrats are ready for change and are poised to vote for Trump and down ballot in large numbers. CD 4 has a large Hispanic population who are tired of progressive policies that haven’t worked. When I win the primary, the AZGOP and other conservative groups must help combat the $10 million Sorors has poured into our state. We can grab this seat if we work together.”
JD Mendoza $7,70
Jeff Zink $44,817
District 4:
The Republicans are still trying to unseat Stanton. Despite CD-4 having a “D+2” rating, The Cook Political Report lists Stanton’s seat as solidly Democrat. Kelly Cooper, who faced Stanton in 2022 and lost by a wide margin, was asked by the Arizona Globe if he believes he can close the fundraising gap if he is successful in the primary.
He replied, “I will work tirelessly to acquire the resources needed to get our message to the public. In the last cycle, the Washington elites shoveled money to Stanton. This cycle they are already down 200% in fundraising. It’s people over politics, and the people of this country are hurting. The radical left policies that Greg Stanton has pushed are hurting people and we are need of change. I will bring that change.”
Kelly Cooper $450,157
Jerone Davison $ 48,698
Dave Giles $189,236
Jasser $577,368
Greg Stanton (D) $2,000,911
District 8:
In Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, the Republican primary race features prominent candidates like Blake Masters and Abraham Hamadeh. Masters, leading in fundraising, has utilized funds for controversial radio and telephone ads, stirring significant attention and debate. The effectiveness of these ads will be seen tomorrow.
A representative from Hamadeh told the Arizona Globe, “Most of Blake’s money is from a personal loan, not community support. Tack on the back spending, which is all big tech money from Peter Thiel and Cameron Winklevoss.”
Anthony Kern $205,814
Ben Toma $847,884
Abe Hamadeh $1,365,357
Blake Masters $4,005,424
Trent Franks $643,100
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