Nella Domenici, who made a fortune in the finance industry, raised $2.9 million in the second quarter, including a $1 million personal loan that comes on on top of an earlier $500,000 loan. But her new cash on hand balance of $2.126 million is only enough to keep Domenici, daughter of the late GOP US Senator Pete Domenici, pedaling in place.
Heinrich reports raising $1.7 million in the three months covered. His cash balance June 30 was $4.7 million, maintaining the more than 2 to 1 cash lead over Domenici that he had at the beginning of the reporting period.
Domenici has raised a total of $3.6 million for her campaign which started in January. Heinrich has raised $7.7 million since the beginning of 2023.
Domenici's financial disclosure forms say she has assets of anywhere from $21 million to $94 million.
Heinrich's senate disclosure form reports he has assets as high as $564,000 or as low as a negative $290,000 when a mortgage is accounted for.
Political pros say Domenici doesn't need to be neck and neck with Heinrich in the money race but needs to be closer to encourage more donations and public perception of the contest.
The race has yet to be targeted by the national GOP. If it were, she could count on significant outside financial support. For now she's on her own.
The Cook Political Report continues to rank the New Mexico senate race "Solid Democratic."
In the other top-tier state contest, Dem US Rep. Gabe Vasquez holds a 2 to 1 cash on hand advantage over Republican Yvette Herrell in the race for the southern congressional seat.
Herrell reports $1.354 million in cash at the end of June. Vasquez reports $2.7 milllion in cash. He has raised a total of nearly $4 million thus far and Herrell $2.4 million.
That advantage is not as significant as Heinrich's since this race has been targeted nationally and millions of campaign dollars will be coming in for both hopefuls. Still, that Vasquez's personal committee continues to outperform Herrell's is a morale booster for his campaign.
There is no recent public polling in the contest. The Cook Political Report rates it a Toss-Up.
SPECIAL REACT
Mayor Keller will continue to "egg on" any elected official who can support Albuquerque’s efforts on homelessness and crime fighting. Tim’s penchant for special sessions is well known, and as a former State Senator he’s consistently held the 60/30 day session structure has always held back New Mexico from addressing its major challenges. A special session is the only way to move the ball forward with the constraints of our state’s Constitution.
And as the session approaches with a stalemate between the Governor and lawmakers, we get this from a reader:
If you are a regular Joe or Judy watching the special session debacle you have to be disgusted. Homelessness, substance abuse and crime are raging across our state. Gun violence is out of control and the social safety net is not holding up-increasing the numbers of drug-addicted people on the streets. The legislature stands defiant and lazy; unwilling to interrupt their precious summer vacations to do their jobs. The Governor doesn’t have the wherewithal or attention span to harness public support to put pressure on the political elites. Progressive interest groups, who claim to care about families, don’t want to bother going to Santa Fe. So, what do we get from the ineptitude? Status quo or worse. New Mexicans-you need to wait until January and then we’ll consider working on your issues. This is the real crisis in our state from which all our problems stem-ineffective political leaders.
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