DENVER—Republican Jane Norton is the first candidate for the Colorado Senate to release first-quarter fundraising numbers, saying she raised $816,000 so far this year to unseat Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet.
Norton gave reporters the sum Monday, a figure likely to keep her ahead of Republican rival Ken Buck. Norton is a former lieutenant governor who is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Bennet in November.
Bennet had not yet released his first-quarter take. Since being appointed to the office last year, Bennet has raised more than $1 million each quarter; aides have said he’ll report another seven-figure haul this time.
Bennet is seeking election to the seat vacated by Democratic Sen. Ken Salazar, who was appointed Interior Secretary by President Barack Obama.
