Gosar leads CD1 primary in fundraising

Paul Gosar at a campaign event on August 12 (Photo by Evan Wyloge/Arizona Capitol Times)

Paul Gosar showed a commanding fundraising lead in the 1st Congressional District Republican primary, but 2008 nominee Sydney Hay said she has the cash to carry her past him to the nomination.

Gosar, a Flagstaff dentist, reported raising a total of $414, 000 in the crowded primary, including nearly $38,000 in the July 1 to Aug. 4 reporting period, according to campaign finance reports with the Federal Elections Commission.

Hay, his nearest competitor in fundraising, reported raising about $200,000, including $100,000 she contributed to her own campaign.

“I think that our ability to raise that money and spend that money on voter contact is reflected in the poll numbers that you’ve seen and just in the general buzz of what our campaign has going forward,” Gosar spokesman J.P. Twist said, referring to a July poll the campaign released that showed Gosar with a 20-point lead over Hay.

But Hay, who disputed the validity of the poll, said she’s spent her money more wisely, and noted that Gosar only has about $41,000 in cash on hand. Hay, who didn’t enter the race until early May, had about $111,000 left in her war chest.

“I’m not spending thousands of dollars on some consultants and campaign staff,” said Hay, a mining lobbyist. “I’ve probably done more voter contact with a lot less money.”

Former Senate President Rusty Bowers reported raising about $11,000 in the last reporting period, bring him to $153,000 in total fundraising for the campaign cycle. Bowers has about $10,000 in cash on hand.

Steve Mehta, a Show Low doctor, reported raising a total of $101,000, though he raised just $7,300 in the last reporting period and reported only $2,500 in cash on hand. The FEC did not post a report for attorney Bradley Beauchamp’s campaign.

The winning Republican Aug. 24 will face U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick in the Nov. 2 general election.