Ritter fundraising is on a roll lately

For second straight month, Dem raised more than GOP rivals

Stuart Steers, Rocky Mountain News

Published June 6, 2006 at midnight

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Democrat Bill Ritter raised more money than his two Republican rivals combined for the second month in a row in the race to be Colorado's governor.

But the GOP candidates - Congressman Bob Beauprez and Marc Holtzman - retain the overall fundraising lead with about $1.9 million each, while Ritter has totaled about $1.5 million.

In May, Ritter collected $201,066. Beauprez raised $99,528, and Holtzman took in $81,559.

May was a crucial period for the two Republicans. The state Republican assembly was held May 20 in Colorado Springs.

Marc Holtzman failed to win 30 percent of the vote among delegates, forcing him to gather thousands of signatures of Republican voters to win a spot on the Aug. 8 primary ballot.

Last week, Colorado Secretary of State Gigi Dennis ruled that Holtzman did not have enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. Holtzman has vowed to appeal that ruling, insisting he has more than enough signatures.

Holtzman's campaign spent $487,507 in May, and his spokesman attributed that to the expense of the assembly and the petition drive. Holtzman also aired a TV ad just before the assembly, introducing himself to voters.

"We had to gear up for the convention; it was an expensive month," Holtzman spokesman Jesse Mallory said. "We were on the air, as well."

Holtzman has $213,740 on hand. Beauprez spent $102,386 last month and now has $824,885 on hand.

"In the midst of a spirited primary, we continue to raise the resources we need to win," said John Marshall, spokesman for Beauprez.

While Ritter raised double the amount of his two Republican rivals in May, he also spent more money. Ritter plunked down $625,000 to buy television time in the fall. So far, Ritter has raised $1.5 million, but he now has just $112,000 on hand.

"We made a strategic decision to buy TV while the rates were low and choice time slots were still available," said Evan Dreyer, spokesman for Ritter. "We're continuing to build momentum."

Several Colorado residents who contributed to the Holtzman campaign said Monday that they hope he continues pressing his court case to get on the GOP primary ballot.

"I'm real impressed with his honesty and sincerity," said Pat Gibson, of Aurora, who collected five signatures for Holtzman and contributed $55 to his campaign. She is skeptical about the decision to declare his petition drive invalid.

"The fact that so many of them (signatures) were thrown out does not seem like a fair system," she said. "I think he deserves a chance to get on the ballot and let people decide for themselves."

James M. Adley, a Holtzman supporter from Pueblo West, said he was disappointed when his candidate failed to garner 30 percent support from the state GOP assembly and when the petitions were rejected.

Adley said he has no opinion on the signatures' validity. But the latest setback made Adley wonder if Holtzman would not be better off continuing his campaign for governor as an independent, just as former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura did in Minnesota. Adley retired to Colorado from Minnesota, where he supported the Ventura campaign.

Gubernatorial campaign money chase

Fundraising tallies for the candidates for Colorado governor

Democrat Bill Ritter

• Money raised in April: $156,000

• Money raised in May: $201,066

• Total funds raised: $1.5 million

• Cash on hand: $112,000

Republican Bob Beauprez

• Money raised in April: $73,000

• Money raised in May: $99,528

• Total funds raised: $1.9 million

• Cash on hand: $824,885