Pearce holds big fundraising lead in Ariz. recall


by Associated Press (October 29th, 2011 @ 11:00am)

PHOENIX — Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce holds a greater than 3-1 advantage over challenger Jerry Lewis in fundraising before the Nov. 8 recall election for Pearce's legislative seat, according to campaign finance reports filed by the candidates.

Pearce's campaign reported raising nearly $230,000 through Oct. 19. That amount, in a report filed late Thursday, compares with nearly $68,000 of fundraising that Lewis' campaign previously reported for the same period.

Each campaign reported spending roughly two-thirds of the amount it raised in the race in Pearce's district in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa.

Pearce is a legislative veteran known nationally for sponsoring legislation against illegal immigration. Lewis is a charter school executive. Both are Republicans.

Thursday was the deadline for candidates and organizations to file pre-election campaign finance reports. Candidates and groups also must file reports after the election to report subsequent financial activity.

The source of funding in the campaign has been an issue, with Pearce saying he's been targeted by outsiders because of his role in promoting immigration legislation.

However, that issue and Pearce's leadership post in the Legislature put him in a strong position to receive financial backing, both from donors in Arizona and elsewhere.

Of the approximately 1,800 individuals who donated a total of nearly $145,000 to Pearce's campaign, about a fifth listed addresses in other states. Of his Arizona donors, most listed addresses outside Mesa.

In contrast, nearly all of Lewis' money came from Arizona donors, with most of those living in Mesa.

Pearce's individual contributors included dozens of Capitol lobbyists, and he also reported received $79,000 from 33 political committees. Most of the committee money consisted of nearly $67,000 that his regular re-election campaign committee transferred to his recall election committee.

However, Pearce also received donations from committees formed by law firms, utilities and other commercial concerns, as well as law enforcement groups.

Lewis did not report receiving any contributions from political committees.

Several organizations also have reported making independent expenditures in the race, most favoring Pearce but some aiding Lewis. Independent expenditures are not supposed to be coordinated with candidates.

American Federation for the Children, a Washington-based organization favoring school vouchers and tax credits for private school scholarships, reported spending $21,000 to support Pearce.

Pearce also got support from Arizona Deserves the Best, a group led by Republican political consultant Constantin Querard.

Arizona Deserves the Best reported spending $18,000 on mailers, door-hangers and advertising. Its largest reported contribution was $7,500 from the Maricopa County Republican Party.

Washington-based Campaign Money Watch, a group that supports public campaign financing, reported spending $16,413 to oppose Pearce.

And a spinoff organization from the group that organized the successful petition drive to force holding the recall election campaign reported spending $6,523 in support of Lewis.

The parent group, Citizens for a Better Arizona, reported a fundraising total of $141,000 in its campaign to hold the recall election.

That amount included roughly $92,000 in cash donations from individuals and nearly $50,000 in contributions of cash and goods or services by businesses, labor unions and other organizations. A law firm's donation of services accounted for most of the non-individual donations.

Citizens for a Better Arizona said it had no money left over.

A pro-Pearce group that opposed holding the recall election reported raising nearly $73,000 and having nearly $16,000 of that amount unspent.

Pearce's campaign noted the reports filed don't include any from a group that state election officials have said have sent mailers supporting Lewis without registering with the state or filing a campaign-finance report.

The Secretary of State's Office has asked the Attorney General's Office to investigate.

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