WASHINGTON—Colorado Republican Bob Schaffer, who announced his campaign for Senate in mid-May, has raised more than $717,000, his campaign announced Thursday.
The former congressman from Fort Collins will report $682,711 in the bank for the race, which is expected to be among the most competitive in the country.
Schaffer faces Democratic Rep. Mark Udall, who announced earlier this week that he has almost $2.5 million on hand.
Both candidates released their fundraising totals in advance of a Sunday Federal Election Commission deadline to report campaign finance information for the last quarter.
Walt Klein, a Schaffer campaign consultant, called the fundraising “a remarkable start for the long campaign ahead.” The contributions averaged more than $119,000 a week, Klein said in a statement.
Schaffer and Udall are expected to spend a combined $20 million for the 2008 race, which would make it the most expensive in state history. Democratic Sen. Ken Salazar spent $10 million to win his seat in 2004, and Udall has said he expects to raise at least that much.
A businessman, Schaffer limited himself to three terms in the House. He was succeeded by Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave in 2002. Schaffer ran for Senate in 2004, but lost the GOP primary to beer baron Pete Coors.
He is not expected to have a primary opponent this year.
