Democrat Bill Ritter continues to outpace Republican Bob Beauprez in fundraising, hitting the $4 million mark Wednesday, his campaign said.
Beauprez has raised about $3.85 million, which includes $305,000 in loans to himself, according to his campaign.
In the last two-week reporting period before Tuesday’s election, Ritter took in $373,986 and Beauprez raised $105,013, according to disclosures filed Wednesday with the secretary of state.
The reporting period was a best-ever for the Ritter campaign and helped set a statewide fundraising record for the month, said Evan Dreyer, Ritter’s spokesman.
“Sounds like we had a much better two-week period,” Dreyer said.
Beauprez campaign manager John Marshall said Ritter’s contributions come from “an army of lawyers fraternizing and flittering away their frivolous lawsuit winnings.”
“We feel very good about where we are,” Marshall said.
Dreyer responded, “We feel good about where they are too, and we wish them nothing but the best in staying there.”
Ritter spent $492,794 and Beauprez put out $317,621 during the period, which covered Oct. 12 through 25.
Beauprez had $60,789 in cash on hand at the end of the reporting period, while Ritter had slightly more with $70,118.
Beauprez loaned his campaign $142,993 and took in $24,515 in nonmonetary contributions. Ritter did not loan his campaign money and saw $1,599 in nonmonetary contributions.
Since the reporting period ended, Beauprez has loaned himself an additional $162,000.
Staff writer Chris Frates can be reached at 303-954-1633 or cfrates@denverpost.com.
