A Three-Million-Dollar Congressional Race

At least two Colorado congressional races will spend more than $3 million dollars in total.  In fact, two endangered incumbent Republicans had better plan to spend $3 million each to survive the Democratic onslaught.  Scott Tipton will likely be in a $3 million plus race against Democrat Sal Pace.  The metro area’s top race will be Mike Coffman against Democrat challenger Joe Miklosi.  If Republican Joe Coors keeps self-funding, the 7^th Congressional District race may also become high spending as incumbent Democrat Ed Perlmutter raised $2.4 million in his 2010 competitive race against Ryan Frazier.

It is a misnomer in Colorado politics that Republicans have more campaign money.  In fact, Democrats report more congressional funding and do not run behind in non-reported special interest funding.

In 2010, as the chart below shows, Democrat John Salazar (3^rd CD) and Betsy Markey (4^th CD) were major spenders, who exceeded their Republican opponents.  Both lost in the 2010 Republican tide.

While Jared Polis doesn’t appear to have a race this year, there is no limit to what he would spend to hold his seat.

Democratic challengers Pace and Miklosi are already reporting large independent media buys from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

See blogs:

Colorado’s competitive congressional races hit $2 million per candidate

Money in congressional races – only one factor

Miklosi vs. Coffman: The closest seat in the country