Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego of Arizona has garnered impressive financial support for his Senate campaign in the first quarter of 2024. With a staggering $7.5 million raised, Gallego is well-positioned to face off against Republican candidate Kari Lake in the upcoming general election.
Gallego’s fundraising efforts have seen a significant boost, with his total amount raised more than doubling the $3.3 million he collected in the last quarter of 2023. As of now, he has an impressive $9.6 million in cash on hand, providing a strong financial base as he heads into the final months leading up to Election Day.
In early last month, the Arizona race took shape as Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I) revealed her decision not to run for re-election. This announcement paved the way for what is expected to be a showdown between Gallego and Lake.
The congressman’s ability to raise funds is expected to give him an advantage when it comes to advertising, unless Lake significantly increases her own fundraising total. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the former TV anchor and candidate for governor raised $2.1 million, but she may receive additional support from Republicans who had previously refrained from getting involved while Sinema was still in the race.
Gallego’s team also revealed that the majority of the contributions, 98 percent to be precise, were $200 or less. It is noteworthy that 100,000 individuals contributed to his campaign last cycle, with 50 percent of them being first-time donors to the congressman. It is impressive to note that Gallego has managed to raise over $20 million in total for this cycle.
In a statement, Nichole Johnson, Ruben Gallego’s campaign manager, expressed gratitude to the numerous small-dollar donors who have contributed towards his election campaign. She emphasized that their support has enabled them to develop a strong foundation for victory in the upcoming November elections. Johnson highlighted the readiness of the people of Arizona to elect a Senator who will prioritize defending abortion rights, reducing expenses for families, and ensuring the well-being of veterans. She firmly believes that Ruben Gallego embodies these qualities and is committed to delivering on these promises.
Gallego leads the pack, being one of the first Senate candidates to disclose their fundraising numbers for the first quarter. The full reports for the first three months of the year are expected to be submitted by April 15. However, Lake has not yet revealed her first-quarter fundraising figure.
Outside groups at the top level could assist Lake in closing the spending gap for the race, although the impact of their funds on television advertising may not be as significant as that of the candidate’s.
Gallego unveiled his inaugural TV advertisement at the beginning of last month and has since been airing it to introduce himself to a wider audience across the state. On the other hand, Lake has not yet launched any television ads as part of her campaign.
