Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo, a staunch opponent of illegal immigration, received a big financial boost for his presidential campaign from his home state, but also took in tens of thousands of dollars from Texas and California, according to federal election records.
Tancredo, who officially announced he was running for president two weeks ago, raised nearly $1.2 million from Jan. 1 through March 31. He has $575,078 remaining.
“Watch out, big guys, here comes the little guy!” said Tancredo, who campaigned in Iowa over the weekend.
Seventy-five percent of Tancredo’s contributions were under $200, indicating a strong grassroots effort. The campaign is not legally required to itemize those donors but said the average contribution was $61.
An analysis shows California leading the way with $60,115 in disclosed contributions to Tancredo. Much of the money came from the southern part of the state. California was followed closely by Colorado with $56,975 and Texas with $26,470.
Tancredo, who is serving his fifth term in the 6th Congressional District, estimated that $400,000 came from Internet donors.
No big-name or controversial donors immediately appeared in his disclosures, but Tancredo acknowledged that his illegal-immigration stance attracts extremists at times.
“There are kooky groups on both sides of the immigration issue,” he said. “I can only be responsible for the things I say or do. I can’t help who decides to send me money or support me.”
Tancredo’s fundraising pales in comparison with the top-tier candidates, many of whom have amassed more than $20 million. But he did outraise seven other contenders from both parties, including fellow Republican Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor. Tancredo is also financially running neck and neck with Republican Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas.
Tancredo said he plans to campaign primarily in Iowa and New Hampshire and is aiming to place third or fourth in the Jan. 14 Iowa Caucuses.
That’s a distinct possibility, said David Redlawsk, a political-science professor at the University of Iowa who has done recent polling showing that GOP caucus-goers believe immigration is an important issue.
“Iowa caucuses don’t always reward those with the most money,” he said. “The role of a one-issue candidate like Tancredo is to try and force the front-runners to talk about illegal immigration. It’s not clear if that will happen yet, but he could develop a certain amount of support for his position.”
And while Tancredo doesn’t have much money, he may not need it, said Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.
“He can get free media by being on radio and TV shows and remaining controversial,” he said. “He may split off some anti-illegal-immigration Republicans who won’t vote Democratic, but they may just not vote.”
Tancredo, who announced he was running for president on talk radio, has said he has been on the radio more than 1,800 times since he was first elected.
Staff writer Karen Crummy can be reached at 303-954-1594 or kcrummy@denverpost.com.
