Reid reports gubernatorial campaign has raised millions

Gubernatorial candidate Rory Reid on Thursday reported raising more than $2.6 million for his campaign last year, including major contributions from gambling and mining industries and labor unions.

That brings the fundraising total for Reid, the only Democratic candidate in the race, to about $3.3 million.

Leading Republican candidate Brian Sandoval has raised a little more than $900,000 and has about $756,000 in cash on hand. Republican Mike Montandon says he has raised $300,000 and has $50,000 on hand. Embattled incumbent Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons hasn't yet reported contributions and expenses.

Political consultant Sig Rogich said he expects it will take as much as $6.5 million to win the election.

Although opinion polls show 53 percent of voters statewide prefer Sandoval and 31 percent Reid, the latter's lead in the money race will give him a head start on voter outreach.

"Your ground game is paid for this way," says Rogich, who said he isn't backing a candidate in the governor's race but is supporting the re-election of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., father of Rory Reid.

In 2006, Rogich backed Gibbons, who raised about $6.3 million over the course of his campaign. But Gibbons has fallen out of favor with many voters and Republican donors and is expected to be well behind Sandoval in fundraising. No scenario tested by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research shows Gibbons winning re-election.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is also casting a large shadow over the race. Goodman has repeatedly suggested he will run for governor as an independent but hasn't officially stepped into the race.

Goodman confidants say if the flamboyant mayor and former criminal defense attorney does run, he will be able to raise enough money to compete with Rory Reid and Sandoval, whom polls show are in a statistical tie among voters.

"Oscar has an amazing ability to raise money," said Goodman friend and fundraiser Tom Letizia. "Whatever that benchmark is for total dollars raised, I think Oscar can be right at the top of that level."

During Goodman's first mayoral campaign in 1999, Letizia said he raised $1.3 million in just over three months.

University of Nevada, Reno political science professor Eric Herzik was skeptical of whether Goodman could be as successful in a statewide campaign. No candidate outside the major parties has won statewide office in Nevada, which could give donors pause.

So far, Rory Reid is the only candidate whose complete financial report is posted on the Secretary of State's Web site. Sandoval announced his total and cash on hand in a press release Tuesday. Montandon mentioned his totals in a telephone interview the same day. Gibbons hasn't given any indication of how much he has raised.

Rory Reid's contributions are from more than 900 companies, individuals and other entities. He raised at least $40,000 from resort firm MGM Mirage and its properties, $35,000 from Harrah's Entertainment and properties and individuals associated with the company, and $50,000 from the Fertitta family and Station Casinos entities.

The Clark County Education Association, a teachers union, gave $10,000. Other unions making contributions include those for iron workers, operating engineers and sheet metal workers.

"I'm extremely grateful to the donors who have supported my vision for the future of Nevada," Rory Reid said. "I'm looking forward to continuing the discussion about the issues that matter most to Nevadans and building a winning organization throughout our state."