Tipton Lags Behind Pace In Latest Fundraising
DENVER (AP) - Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, considered one of the weakest fundraisers in Congress, had another three slow months of raising money for his re-election, lagging behind his Democratic challenger in the latest quarter.
Tipton raised about $176,500 in the quarter that ended Dec. 31. That's $30,000 below the $206,500 raised by state Rep. Sal Pace.
Despite the figures, Tipton's campaign remained confident about the freshman congressman's chances heading into this year's 3rd District election.
"We take the race seriously. We think Congressman Tipton is very well positioned going into this year," said National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Daniel Scarpinato.
Pace said the fundraising figures highlight a disappointment with incumbents in Congress. "That's no different in the 3rd CD," he said.
"The message I hear on the ground is people want to see a change," he said.
Tipton's district in southern and western Colorado is one of the state's most competitive. It's one of three in Colorado that is split almost evenly three ways among Democrats, Republicans and independents.
"We're feeling like we have a lot of momentum behind us," said Pace, who last year was the Democrats' leader in the state House.
But Scarpinato pointed to who has more cash on hand currently - Tipton with $510,000 to Pace's $341,000. He said Pace would need more money if he wants "to hide his liberal record and Nancy Pelosi endorsement from Colorado voters."
Tipton had stronger fundraiser numbers for the quarter that ended Sept. 30, when he raised about $300,000, compared to Pace's $165,000. That quarter, Tipton was helped by big fundraising events, including one hosted by Republican House Speaker John Boehner.
In an earlier reporting period last year, Tipton raised about $147,000, an amount that put him among the worst Republican fundraisers.
- By Ivan Moreno, AP Writer
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