Fundraising lopsided in crowded CD-3 race

Attorney Ben Quayle repeated his success in the last reporting period by collecting about $567,000 in the second quarter of the year, brining his fundraising total to an eye-popping $1.1 million.

Quayle also has about $684,000 cash on hand.

The impressive war chest assures the son of former Vice President Dan Quayle that he will have plenty cash – not counting what he will yet raise – to spend through the rest of the primary season.

But as the financial reports trickled in July 15, they showed that other candidates were lagging behind.

Indeed, some former lawmakers struggled to raise cash, their reports indicated.

While three candidates raised more than a half-million dollars, former Sen. Pamela Gorman only took in $64,000 so far.

Of the Republican candidates, her war chest is the smallest.

Ed Winkler, a former Paradise Valley mayor, received more than the Anthem Republican; he collected $82,000 so far.

Former Rep. Sam Crump did better than Gorman and Winkler, but compared to other candidates – and given it’s a congressional race – his $98,000 isn’t stellar.

Of the former lawmakers, only Jim Waring, who used to represent legislative District 7 in the Senate, broke the $200,000 mark. He reported raising more than $220,000.

Gorman is hoping that a 43-second web video, which shows her firing several weapons and has received national attention, would help break the dry fundraising spell.

In a recent email, she talked about the viral campaign ad, which got more than 219,000 hits on YouTube. In the same email, she asked supporters to contribute to her campaign.

Meanwhile, businessman Steve Moak had the second strongest fundraising amount with $824,000; of the sum, about $293,000 came out of his own pocket.

Democratic candidate Jon Hulburd, who will be waiting for the Republican primary winner, also raised an impressive $750,000.

Meanwhile, former Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker collected $370,000, his campaign announced.

Paulina Morris, who once served on the Maricopa County health care district board, also raised a healthy $275,000, her campaign said.

Most of the campaigns downplayed the monetary aspect of the race, agreeing that the most money doesn’t ensure a victory.

“It’s about raising enough and we are raising enough. We are doing well,” she said.