Democratic Statewide Candidates Lead Fundraising Efforts While Polis, Ganahl Continue To Self-Fund

By Sara Wilson, Colorado Newsline

January 21, 2022

Current statewide office holders have out-raised their Republican opponents so far in the lead up to the 2022 election, according to recent campaign finance filings.

Ganahl starts 2022 with more cash on hand

The gubernatorial race is one of the most visible in the state as Gov. Jared Polis seeks a second term and Republicans try to make the election a referendum on issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, cost of living and environmental policy. Both Polis and the Republican frontrunner have put significant amounts of their own cash into their campaigns.

Polis reported bringing in approximately $338,000 — $300,000 of his own money and $38,000 from donations — in the last three months of 2021. That brings his total fundraising haul for this election cycle to approximately $964,000. He has put $723,000 of his own money into the campaign so far.

Polis reported that 101 people donated the maximum per-year amount of $100. In addition to only allowing small dollar donations, he does not accept donations from political action committees.

With approximately $268,000 in expenditures from the reporting period, Polis ended the year with approximately $205,000 in cash. His largest expenditure from the fourth quarter was $32,000 for data acquisition services from Ascend Digital Strategies, a Washington, D.C., firm with multiple Democratic Colorado clients including Rep. Joe Neguse and state Sen. Kerry Donovan.

The leading Republican candidate for governor, University of Colorado regent Heidi Ganahl, reported approximately $471,000 in contributions from the quarter; $200,000 of that was money she contributed herself and $50,000 was a loan she converted into a direct contribution.

Ganahl agreed to a voluntary spending limit for her campaign, allowing her to accept up to $2,500 per individual donor but limiting her total campaign expenditures. She received that top amount from 70 contributors last quarter, including from Colorado billionaire Phil Anschutz.

Ganahl has raised approximately $658,000 since starting her campaign last September. She ended 2021 with approximately $351,000 in the bank.

“Momentum is building quickly. We have a solid financial team in place that is supported by volunteers from across the state. We also have a good amount of cash on hand that we will continue to use wisely to introduce Heidi to as many voters across Colorado as possible,” campaign communications director Lexi Swearingen wrote in an email.

The Democrats directly challenge that appraisal, saying that there is a “clear lack of momentum” from Ganahl.

“Ever since her failed launch followed by hiding from questions and numerous campaign blunders it’s no wonder we see such lackluster fundraising. Heidi is not delivering what her party wants,” Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Nico Delgado wrote in an email.

Other Republican candidates are bringing in modest amounts of cash in comparison. Former Parker mayor Greg Lopez brought in approximately $17,500 in the fourth quarter and started the year with nearly $20,000. Real estate agent Danielle Neuschwanger raised approximately $32,000 and currently has approximately $4,400 in the bank. She loaned herself nearly $12,000 in the last quarter.

Neuschwanger also reported 593 individual donors in the fourth quarter, more than Ganahl’s 502, according to an analysis from the Colorado Democratic Party.

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