Campaign fundraising in the state of New Mexico has gotten off to a wild start between incumbent Democratic Party US Senator Martin Heinrich and Republican contender Nella Domenici.
According to the tallies announced by the candidates obtained by the Associated Press, the campaign team of Domenici-the daughter of longtime US Senator Pete Domenici-said it raised more than $1.25 million between January and the end of March, including a $500,000 contribution by the Republican businesswoman-turned-candidate herself, along with donations from at least 1,100 people.
Domenici's campaign cash figures were shared first with Fox News Digital.
On the other hand, Heinrich's campaign said that he raised over $1.5 million during the same period from more than 7,600 donors, in addition to the $3.5 million amount the campaign had at the end of 2023.
Detailed findings from the Federal Election Commission were unavailable as of Friday, April 5.
In January, Domenici challenged Heinrich for his federal Senate seat, calling for new approaches to border enforcement, natural resource development, and public education.
"What an incredible outpouring of broad support in such a short amount of time - New Mexico is truly ready for a change," she said in a statement. "[F]or too long, New Mexico has been hurt by career politicians like Martin Heinrich who have put their extreme progressive ideology ahead of solving problems and the best interests of New Mexicans."
Republicans hope to regain their political footing this year in New Mexico, where Democrats hold all congressional seats and every statewide elected office. U.S. President Joe Biden won the state by 11 points or about 100,000 votes.
Heinrich first won his Senate seat in 2012 and was reelected in 2018, with about 54% of the vote in a three-way race against Republican Mick Rich and Libertarian candidate and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson.
Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales III initially registered to pursue the GOP Senate nomination ahead of New Mexico's June 4 primary, but failed to collect enough petition signatures to qualify, leaving Domenici as the sole GOP contender.
Democrats hold a tenuous 51-49 voting majority in the Senate but were defending more seats than Republicans in the November election.
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