WASHINGTON — Democrat Gail Schwartz crushed Republican Scott Tipton in fundraising between July 1 and Sept. 30, bringing in about $709,000 in net contributions compared to the $385,000 raised by the incumbent congressman, according to new election reports.
Thatap the that Schwartz, a former state senator, has posted big numbers against Tipton, now in his third-term. About $151,000 of her contributions came from political action committees last quarter. He got about $162,000 from them.
Tipton still has more money in the bank for the homestretch — his cash-on-hand was $859,000 to her $212,000 as of Sept. 30 — but Schwartz’s latest haul raises more questions about the state of the race in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, which encompasses the western half of the state.
Political pundits such as The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report have rated the fight as safe Republican, but heavy spending by Schwartz — and an of in recent weeks — have put this race on the radar.