Gov. Doug Ducey has faced difficult legislative sessions before. But this session was on another level.

Gov. Doug Ducey outraised all of his Democratic opponents so far this year and ended the first quarter of 2018 with more than $3 million in cash to spend — nearly 10 times what his leading foe has in the bank.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidates crave a scrappy primary race in 2018, one they hope will produce a candidate strong enough to unseat Republican incumbent, Gov. Doug Ducey.

Two Republican candidates for Arizona governor who poured millions from their personal wealth into their primary election efforts last year were the top donors in the 2014 election.