Republican Governor Candidate Heidi Ganahl Withdraws Campaign Spending Limit Pledge

By Sara Wilson, Colorado Newsline

February 7, 2022

Republican gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl withdrew a pledge that limited how much her campaign could spend while allowing higher individual contributions.

Ganahl submitted a letter to the secretary of state’s office on Jan. 31 backing out of the spending limit pledge, as first reported by The Colorado Sun.

It means the University of Colorado regent can now spend more than $3.4 million for her bid for governor, but individual donations are limited to $1,250. Statewide candidates have the option of capping their campaign spending, which then lets them receive donations up to $2,500 per person. Ganahl and Republican secretary of state candidate Pam Anderson had both taken the spending-limit pledge.

When Republican Bradley Wynn filed for the gubernatorial race and decided not to accept the spending limit, however, it gave Ganahl an opportunity to reverse her decision. Secretary of State Jena Griswold sent a letter to Ganahl’s campaign on Jan. 20 informing her of the chance to withdraw from the spending limit.

Campaign communications director Lexi Swearingen wrote in an email that the campaign strategy “remains focused on reaching as many Colorado voters as possible.”

“We were hoping that Jared Polis would agree to take the challenge and sign on to a spending limit as well. Unfortunately for Colorado, Polis sees this as an auction rather than an election and is clearly willing to spend another $23 million of his own money to stay in office. We are taking this opportunity to capitalize on the momentum we see across our state,” she wrote.

Ganahl has brought in over $658,000 in total contributions so far, $250,000 of which she contributed herself.

Ganahl’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.

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