Berkley, Heller both add $1 million in donations

WASHINGTON -- The bank accounts of leading candidates Shelley Berkley and Dean Heller swelled by $1 million apiece over the past three months, signalling a costly race ahead to the 2012 elections to represent Nevada in the U.S. Senate.

Berkley raised $1.2 million from when she declared her candidacy on April 14 through the end of June. The Democratic member of the U.S. House has $2.5 million cash available, according to numbers released Tuesday by her campaign.

Heller, who was appointed to the Senate in May and is running to keep the seat, raised $1.048 million. The Republican reported nearly $2.3 million cash on hand.

Byron Georgiou, a wealthy Las Vegas lawyer and entrepreneur who is largely self-funding his Democratic candidacy, reported raising $140,000 through donations. He also loaned another $500,000 to his campaign.

Georgiou's campaign said he had almost $1.5 million cash available at the end of June.

Dave Levinthal, an analyst with the Center for Responsive Politics, said the fundraising suggests the Nevada race will fulfill its potential to be one of the marquee Senate matchups in the nation.

"It is a high-profile race, and at this juncture those are pretty solid numbers," Levinthal said. "Neither of the two candidates who have raised more than $1 million are feeling too bad right now.

"What is to come? More money and likely much more."

Berkley garnered contributions from more than 2,900 individuals, with the average donation of $278, her campaign said. She also attracted 2,550 new contributors.

Further details of fundraising for the second quarter of the year will be available in reports that campaigns are required to file by Friday with the Senate and the Federal Election Commission.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.