Heck outraises Oceguera in weeks before primary
WASHINGTON - Rep. Joe Heck added to a $1 million campaign fund over the past two months, double what challenger John Oceguera has in the bank as they compete to represent suburban Las Vegas in Congress next year.
Heck, a Republican freshman, raised $215,709 between April 1 and May 23, according to reports that Nevada candidates filed with the Federal Election Commission this week ahead of the state's June 12 primary elections.
Heck's campaign ended the period with $1.13 million, more than double Oceguera's $438,299. The Democrat, who is Assembly speaker, raised $70,940 during the period.
Democrats say they expect a bump in Oceguera's account from a Washington, D.C., fundraiser next week hosted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
The financial snapshot comes five months before Election Day in a race that both parties are targeting in the closely drawn 3rd Congressional District, which covers Henderson to the southern tip of the state.
Oceguera and Heck combined have reserved more than $1.4 million in television airtime in the closing weeks of the race to deliver their final messages. Oceguera surprised Heck by outraising him by almost $100,000 in the first three months of the year.
Oceguera received poor press reviews from appearances on two Las Vegas television talk shows early in May but still raised $50,000 - most of his take - in the days after those shows, according to his FEC report.
Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. Follow him on Twitter @STetreaultDC.
