A new Republican candidate out-raised the rest of the Colorado state treasurer’s field combined in the last quarterly campaign finance reports, while a Democratic lawmaker’s fundraising dried up in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations.
According to the latest filings, which covered the final quarter of 2017, state Rep. Steve Lebsock, D-Thornton, received the most recent contribution in his run for state treasurer on Oct. 17 — three weeks before allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple women sparked calls for his resignation.
Lebsock — who this week was the subject of a third formal complaint, all of which he has denied — has refused to step down from office and remains a candidate for the statewide office, even as his fundraising has withered. He raised $1,025 in the period, the least of any of the 10 candidates.
Meanwhile, Republicans continued to out-raise Democrats for the position, currently held by term-limited Republican Walker Stapleton, who is running for governor.
In an early show of strength, Republican businessman Brian Watson raised $214,614.95 in his first fundraising period since joining the race, including $18,203.55 in monetary and in-kind contributions from himself. Not only did that dwarf the second-place haul of state Rep. Polly Lawrence, a Douglas County Republican, it was more than the other nine candidates combined to raise in the quarter.
Watson spent $25,682.68 in the period and finished with $153,647.32 on hand.
Lawrence raised $55,989.75, bolstered by a $25,000 check from herself. She spent $28,958.46, and finished with $88,307.58 on hand, following her strong third-quarter haul.
Prosecutor Brett Barkey raised $14,254.16, giving himself $7,500. Routt County Treasurer Brita Horn raised $9,285 and State Sen. Kevin Lundberg of Berthoud raised $7,464.63. State Rep. Justin Everett of Littleton rounded out the GOP field with $5,386.23 raised but closed out the year with $26,460 on hand.
On the Democratic side, two new candidates led the pack. State Rep. Dave Young, D-Greeley, raised $35,604.90, rolling over $963.11 from his House fundraising committee and spending $3,692.41. He closed the year with $31,270.70 in the bank.
Charles Quin Scheibe, Colorado’s chief financial officer, gave his campaign $29,185.85, which accounted for the bulk of the $30,723.99 he raised in the period. Denver businessman Bernard Douthit raised $10,525 and ended the period with $27,621.31 on hand.
