Republican Rick O’Donnell, candidate for the 7th Congressional District seat, raised $286,788 in the first three months of this year – the most successful financial quarter of his campaign.
O’Donnell, who has raised the most money of any candidate in the race, still has $685,761 left in his campaign chest.
Democratic contender Peggy Lamm raised $162,000 during the same time period, which is nearly triple what she did in the final quarter of 2005.
Federal election records show that nearly one-third of the amount Lamm raised was from Emily’s List, a national political-action committee that backs Democratic women who support abortion rights.
Lamm’s campaign declined to disclose how much money she still had socked away. At the end of last year, she had about $140,000 on hand.
While Lamm’s fundraising was more impressive this quarter, she still trailed Democratic rival Ed Perlmutter, who netted $187,180. The former state senator has about $444,000 remaining.
“She did make up ground, but she’s still behind overall,” said Amy Walter, senior editor of the Cook Political Report. “It doesn’t take her out of the game, but Perlmutter’s money gives him an advantage to define the race first.”
Lamm, a former teacher, suffered a blow Tuesday when Perlmutter nabbed the endorsement of the Colorado Education Association.
The CEA represents 37,000 teachers and public school employees in Colorado.
Herb Rubenstein, also a Democrat and an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Colorado State University, has not yet filed his disclosures. He had $939.25 remaining in his campaign chest at the end of 2005.
Candidates do not have to file detailed financial disclosures with the Federal Election Commission until next week.
Staff writer Karen Crummy can be reached at 303-820-1594 or kcrummy@denverpost.com.
