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Michael Roberson, Jesse Sbaih lead in 3rd Congressional District campaign donations

Michael Roberson is leading the money race in what’s so far a five-way GOP primary for the open congressional seat of U.S. Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nevada.

Roberson, the Nevada Senate majority leader, received $677,756 in campaign contributions in 2015, and reported $572,638 cash-on-hand, federal campaign filings released this week show.

Roberson, a favorite within the Republican establishment, faces competition from four other Republicans in the 3rd Congressional District. The fundraising at this juncture in the race is an early indicator of how well-positioned candidates are to weather a bruising primary battle and get their message out.

Roberson’s support comes from donors with ties to the gaming industry, including $5,400 from Wynn Resorts Ltd. Chairman Steve Wynn and $2,700 from MGM Resorts International President Bill Hornbuckle.

Patrick Dumont, senior vice president of finance and strategy at Las Vegas Sands Corp. and the son-in-law of Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson, has given $5,400 to the campaign. Adelson gave $5,400 to Roberson’s campaign last year. His wife, Miriam Adelson, and daughter Shelley Adelson have given $5,400 apiece to Roberson’s campaign.

Miriam’s daughter, Yasmin Lukatz, and her husband, Oren Lukatz, gave $5,400 apiece.

Second to Roberson in the Republican field is Danny Tarkanian, who has reported having $431,843 cash-on-hand and contributions of $498,021 in 2015.

Here’s how other GOP candidates fared:

• Annette Teijeiro, a medical doctor, has $104,578 cash on hand, received $32,645 in contributions and built up her campaign fund with about $100,000 in loans.

• Andrew Matthews, former president of conservative think tank Nevada Policy Research Institute, reported $159,052 in contributions in 2015, and has $94,449 cash on hand.

• Assemblywoman Michele Fiore reported $55,612 in contributions, with $4,937 cash on hand after spending $50,675.

Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Jesse Sbaih, an attorney, reported having $493,996 cash on hand and receiving $139,354 in contributions in 2015. He’s also lent his campaign $400,000.

Other candidates, most of them new to the race, haven’t yet filed financial reports. They are: Republicans Kerry Bowers and Sami Khal and Democrats Barry Michaels, Jacky Rosen and Alex Singer.

In the 4th Congressional District four Democrats are in competition for their party’s nod to challenge incumbent Rep. Cresent Hardy, R-Nevada, who is running for a second term.

Philanthropist Susie Lee leads the Democratic candidates. Lee reported $646,563 cash-on-hand and took in $724,774 in contributions during 2015. She’s also lent her campaign $150,000, filings show.

Lee’s cash-on-hand comes within striking distance of Hardy’s war chest. He reported $659,592 cash-on-hand in his filing.

Lee also had support from the gaming industry, including $5,400 from Hornbuckle, $2,500 from the MGM Resorts International PAC, and $5,400 from MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO Jim Murren.

Hardy reported receiving $901,252 in contributions in 2015.

In the past quarter, Shelley Adelson and Patrick Dumont each gave $5,400 to Hardy’s campaign. Miriam Adelson’s daughter, Yasmin Lukatz, and her husband, Oren Lukatz, each gave $5,400 to Hardy’s campaign.

Here’s how other Democrats fared:

• Lucy Flores, a former Nevada assemblywoman, reported $84,435 cash-on-hand and $226,768 in contributions in 2015.

• State Sen. Ruben Kihuen reported $372,980 cash-on-hand and $514,695 in contributions in 2015.

• John Oceguera, former Nevada Assembly speaker, reported $183,965 in contributions last year, with $204,470 cash on hand in his year-end filing. His cash-on-hand exceeds donations because he also lent his campaign $100,005.

The Review-Journal is owned by a limited liability company controlled by the Adelson family, majority owners of Las Vegas Sands.

Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904. Find him on Twitter: @BenBotkin1

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