Donations flow even in recession, reports show

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rory Reid has raised $1.9 million in contributions since May, bringing his campaign haul to date to about $6.3 million, according to finance reports.

Brian Sandoval, Reid's Republican opponent, is expected to report raising about $3.3 million for the same period, raising his campaign total to about $4.2 million.

The figures from the campaigns came Tuesday, the deadline for state candidates to report contributions and expenditures to the Nevada secretary of state. Their actual filings weren't posted online as of late Tuesday.

Reid's total, which dates back to the start of his campaign in late 2008, makes his one of the most lucrative campaigns ever for a state office.

Incumbent Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons raised about $6 million to win the office in 2006.

Sandoval, who announced his campaign several months later than Reid, appears to have closed his funding deficit in recent months as he has held a strong, double-digit percentage point lead in most statewide polls.

"That is a lot of money in a tough election cycle," said David Damore, a professor of political science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, of the candidates' prolific fundraising amid the worst recession in state history.

Robert Uithoven, adviser to Gibbons in 2006, also was impressed by the totals. Much of the money fueling Nevada state campaigns is from companies that are struggling in hard times.

"It is a hard thing for a company to write big checks when they are laying off workers," Uithoven said.

Many campaign reports weren't posted on the secretary of state website late Tuesday. Campaigns have the option of filing electronically as late as 11:59 p.m. or simply having their reports postmarked by the Oct. 26 deadline.

Gibbons, however, had his filing done. The unpopular governor lost the primary to Sandoval. He reported raising $61,920 and spending $225,518 during the May 28 to Oct. 21 period. From Jan. 1 through Oct. 21, he raised $240,844 and spent $409,538.

Gibbons' campaign didn't finish in the red, though, as it had carried over money from previous reporting periods.

Incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki reported raising $171,851 during the period bringing his total to $301,033 for the year.

Krolicki reported spending $156,247 from May to October, and $257,130 for the year.

Figures from Krolicki's Democratic challenger, Jessica Sferrazza, weren't available late Tuesday.

The only other incumbent state constitutional officer who had reported in time for figures to be posted late Tuesday was Secretary of State Ross Miller.

He reported raising $84,713 for the period, and $276,987 for 2010 so far. Miller reported spending $69,915 in the period, and $178,940 year-to-date.

Figures from Miller's GOP opponent Rob Lauer, weren't available late Tuesday.

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861.