Senate candidates Martha McSally, Kyrsten Sinema separating themselves in money race

Former state Sen. Kelli Ward had a year head start on other candidates in Arizona's 2018 U.S. Senate races, but is starting the election year badly trailing Republican rival Martha McSally.

McSally finished 2017 with $1.8 million in cash compared to Ward's $350,000.

Even when cash from political-action committees supportive of Ward's campaign is included, Ward badly trails McSally, who officially joined the Senate race in January.

Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, meanwhile, reported raising $1.6 million in the final three months of 2017 and ended with $5.1 million in cash on hand.

Another Republican, former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, entered the Senate race in January and didn't report any campaign funds for 2017.

Ward's relatively light haul came as she was the lone Republican left in the race after incumbent Sen. Jeff Flake said in October that he wouldn't seek a second term. However, with no one formally opposing her for most of the quarter and with the support of former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, Ward couldn't shift her fundraising into a higher gear.

The Ward campaign downplayed their financial deficit.

"Thanks to our supporters, we're going to have the tools we need to carry our message to every corner of Arizona," said Zachery Henry, a spokesman for Ward. "With over 20,000 individual donors that have contributed over $1.5 million to date, our campaign has the broadest base of fundraising across Arizona in this race.

"Not surprisingly, the swamp is backing the two members of Congress in this race; however, we are confident Arizona voters will see through this and not allow Washington to choose our next senator."

McSally's campaign said her fundraising reflects her record in Congress.

"Her substantive legislative victories in 2017, on everything from border security to national defense, add to her proven track record as one of the most effective members of Congress," said Anthony Barry, her campaign manager. "It's no wonder that supporters are lining up behind her. Her energetic dedication to serving Arizona is boundless. And she's just warming up."

MORE: Kelli Ward wants 6 debates with Senate rivals Martha McSally and Joe Arpaio

8th District race

Other races that are expected to be close at the polls are not comparable at the bank — at least not yet.

Not much is known about the finances for the special election to fill the congressional seat formerly held by Trent Franks, but what is known suggests another uneven battle.

Former state Rep. Phil Lovas, a Republican whose wife, Corinne, is a prominent fundraiser for GOP candidates, easily reported the most money from donors: $118,000.

By contrast, former state Sen. Debbie Lesko brought in $18,000.

So far, a dark money group named Conservative Leadership for Arizona has spent at least $20,000 on mailers to help Lesko, but that has been dwarfed by Lovas' radio presence in recent days.

MORE: Congress hopefuls try to outdo each other on border security, Trump loyalty

Former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Bob Stump, whose previous statewide election successes suggest he should be a contender, raised less than the $11,000 David Lien, whose previous elective wins were in Minnesota, did more than 20 years ago.

Former state Sen. Steve Montenegro wasn't required to report his finances because his campaign committee wasn't formed until January.

The Democratic side in that race is also financially lopsided.

Hiral Tipirneni raised $64,000 from donors in the final quarter and finished with $115,000, in part because she loaned her campaign $70,000 of her own money. Brianna Westbrook raised $11,000 and finished with $7,000 in cash.

2nd District race

Former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, who is running in McSally's Tucson-based 2nd District and has the backing of Democratic leadership in Washington, raised $400,000 in the final three months of the year.

Lea Marquez Peterson, a Republican hoping to keep the 2nd District in Republican hands, raised $207,000 in less than three weeks, which included the December holidays.

For now, at least, Peterson seems to have a comfortable path to her party's nomination. Kirkpatrick's is less so but she has a big edge in money.

Kirkpatrick had $464,000 in cash entering January. Her closest rival, Matt Heinz, finished with $193,000. Heinz scarcely added to his cash total after raising $82,000 but spending $75,000.

Other House races

The Phoenix-based 9th District has a new fundraising battle.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, who is the Democratic frontrunner, raised $601,000 for the quarter and had $515,000 in cash. Steve Ferrara, a Republican hoping to replace Sinema, raised $141,000 and finished the year with $449,000.

Two of the Republicans vying for the GOP nomination in Arizona's northeastern 1st District had a relatively even fundraising race entering 2018.

State Sen. Steve Smith, who has high-profile supporters like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, raised just $53,000 in the final quarter of 2017. He finished the year with $156,000.

That trailed Tiffany Shedd, a business owner who formally entered the race in October and raised $125,000 from donors. Along with $100,000 she loaned for her campaign, Shedd finished 2017 with $188,000.

Both Republicans are well behind Rep. Tom O'Halleran, the Democrat seeking a second term. He raised $235,000, evenly divided between individuals and PACs. O'Halleran entered 2018 with $736,000 in cash.

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